Speaking • Social & Interaction
Making Invitations in Mandarin Chinese
Inviting someone out — and handling the response — is at the heart of Chinese social life. This page covers how to make invitations warmly, accept with enthusiasm, and decline politely without causing awkwardness.
Extending an Invitation
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
你有空吗？ | nǐ yǒu kòng ma? | Are you free? / Do you have time? |
这个周末你有什么安排？ | zhège zhōumò nǐ yǒu shénme ānpái? | Do you have any plans this weekend? |
我想请你吃饭 | wǒ xiǎng qǐng nǐ chīfàn | I'd like to invite you to dinner (I'm treating you) |
你要不要一起来？ | nǐ yào bú yào yīqǐ lái? | Do you want to come along? |
我们一起去吧 | wǒmen yīqǐ qù ba | Let's go together |
你愿意来参加吗？ | nǐ yuànyì lái cānjiā ma? | Would you like to come and join us? |
我邀请你来我家 | wǒ yāoqǐng nǐ lái wǒ jiā | I'm inviting you to come to my home |
下次一起喝茶吧 | xià cì yīqǐ hē chá ba | Let's go for tea together next time |
Accepting an Invitation
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
好啊！ | hǎo a! | Sure! / Great! |
太好了，我去！ | tài hǎo le, wǒ qù! | Wonderful, I'll come! |
当然，我很乐意 | dāngrán, wǒ hěn lèyì | Of course, I'd love to |
我也正想去呢 | wǒ yě zhèng xiǎng qù ne | I was just thinking about going too |
好的，几点？在哪里？ | hǎo de, jǐ diǎn? zài nǎlǐ? | Okay, what time? Where? |
没问题，到时候见！ | méi wèntí, dào shíhòu jiàn! | No problem, see you then! |
我肯定到 | wǒ kěndìng dào | I'll definitely be there |
Declining an Invitation Politely
| 汉字 Chinese | 拼音 Pīnyīn | English |
|---|---|---|
不好意思，我那天有事 | bùhǎo yìsi, wǒ nà tiān yǒu shì | Sorry, I have something on that day |
真的很可惜，我去不了 | zhēn de hěn kěxī, wǒ qù bù liǎo | It's a real shame, I can't make it |
下次吧，这次不方便 | xià cì ba, zhè cì bù fāngbiàn | Next time — it's not convenient this time |
我已经有约了 | wǒ yǐjīng yǒu yuē le | I already have a prior engagement |
我要加班，去不了 | wǒ yào jiābān, qù bù liǎo | I have to work overtime, I can't come |
非常感谢你的邀请 | fēicháng gǎnxiè nǐ de yāoqǐng | Thank you very much for the invitation (formal) |
下次一定！ | xià cì yīdìng! | Definitely next time! |
希望你们玩得开心 | xīwàng nǐmen wán de kāixīn | Hope you all have a great time |
Usage Notes
我想请你 doesn't just mean 'I want to invite you' — it also implies 我请客 (wǒ qǐng kè), meaning 'I am paying the bill'. In Chinese culture, the person who extends the invitation typically treats. If you want to split the bill instead, be explicit: 我们AA制吧 (wǒmen AA zhì ba — let's split).
你有空吗 (Are you free?) is almost always the opening line before extending an invitation. It gives the other person an out before you even make the invitation — which protects both parties' face. If they say 没空 (no time), you don't even have to make the full invitation.
It is socially acceptable to decline with a vague 有事 (I have something on) without explaining what. Pushing for details after someone declines is considered rude. The accepted response to a decline is 那下次吧 (next time then) — gracious and forward-looking.