Definition
邀 (yāo) is a concise, literary verb meaning 'to invite', often appearing in compounds like 邀请. Compared to the everyday 请 (qǐng 'invite/please') and the standard 邀请 (yāoqǐng), 邀 is more formal and used in writing or set phrases. It also has the additional senses of 'to intercept' (cf. 截) and 'to seek/solicit' (cf. 求/征求).
verb
to inviteto interceptto seekto solicit
Easily confused
- 缴jiǎolook-aliketo pay (taxes, fees, dues, tuition, etc.)
- 要yàosound-aliketo want, to need
- 放fànglook-aliketo put, to place
- 药yàosound-alikemedicine
- 咬yǎosound-aliketo bite; to nip
- 摇yáosound-aliketo shake
- 腰yāosound-alikewaist, lower back
- 窑yáosound-alikekiln (for firing pottery, bricks, or lime)
Examples
- 邀。Tā yāo wǒ cānjiā tā de shēngrì wǎnhuì.He invited me to attend his birthday party.
- 邀。Tā yāo zhù le zhèng yào líkāi de kèrén.He intercepted the guest who was about to leave.
- 。Tā zài huìyì shàng yāo gōng.He sought credit at the meeting.
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