Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar

invitations

62.1

In general, appropriate refusals for most other kinds of invitations are indirect and involve

face-saving strategies. See section 62.3 for polite ways to refuse invitations.

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62.1.3 Formal written invitations

Written invitations are issued for weddings and formal dinners and events. Formal Chinese

events have a fixed ending time as well as a fixed beginning time. Guests come on time and

the event ends at the predetermined time. Formal events typically begin with a short formal

speech announcing the commencement and end with a short formal speech announcing the

conclusion.

The cover of the invitation often includes one of the following expressions that identify it as

an invitation.

邀请(书/信) or 请帖

邀請(書/信) 請帖

yāoqǐng (shū/xìn) qíngtiě

invitation invitation (lit. ‘written submission’)

The body of the invitation includes the following expressions.

• Expressions that say ‘formally invite’:
  敬约/敬約 敬邀 诚邀/誠邀
  jìng yuē jìng yāo chéng yāo
  respectfully arrange respectfully invite respectfully invite
  an appointment/
  respectfully invite

恭请/恭請 光临/光臨 恭请光临

恭請光臨

gōng qǐng guānglín gōng qǐng guānglín

formally request (your) presence formally request your presence

呈送

chéngsòng

formally send a

report or petition

(to a higher authority)

• Expressions that identify the recipient(s) of the invitation:
  (family name) 台启 táiqǐ
  respectfully submitted to (family name)
  or (less formal)
  致 zhì (the names of the invited guests)


• Expressions that identify the type of event:
  举行/舉行 jǔxíng (the type of event)
  hold (a ceremony)
  or (less formal)
  參加 (the type of event)
  cānjiā

(^) to attend an event