誘う

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 誘う is read as さそう and is a transitive verb meaning to invite someone to join an activity or entice a person or animal toward something.
• Basic usage: Inviting a coworker to lunch appears in 同僚を昼食に誘う, while a scent drawing insects to a flower appears in 香りが虫を花へ誘う.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Invitation and attraction
  • Context distinguishes inviting a person to an activity from a scent naturally attracting a creature.
• Difference from 招く
  • Compared with formally inviting a guest, this verb more broadly covers suggesting an everyday activity or drawing something toward a destination.