(さそ)

さそう
verb (godan)
to invite, to ask out
1. to invite, to ask out
To ask someone to join or go somewhere.
友達(ともだち)映画(えいが)(さそ)う。
To invite a friend to a movie.
食事(しょくじ)(さそ)われた。
I was invited to dinner.
()みに(さそ)う。
To invite someone for drinks.
パーティーに(さそ)った。
I invited them to a party.
()(もの)(さそ)われた。
I was invited to go shopping.
デートに(さそ)う。
To ask out on a date.
2. to tempt, to lure
To attract or entice.
(ねむ)りを(さそ)う。
To induce sleep.
(なみだ)(さそ)(はなし)だ。
It's a story that brings tears.
(あま)(かお)りが食欲(しょくよく)(さそ)う。
The sweet aroma whets the appetite.
好奇心(こうきしん)(さそ)う。
To arouse curiosity.
(はる)陽気(ようき)(ねむ)りを(さそ)う。
The warm spring weather induces drowsiness.

(さそ)う is a godan verb meaning to invite someone or to tempt/evoke something.

TRANSITIVITY:

  • Type: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive)
  • Takes を particle for the person/thing being invited or evoked

TWO MAIN USES:
1. To invite: 友達(ともだち)映画(えいが)(さそ)う (invite a friend to a movie)
2. To evoke: (なみだ)(さそ)う (bring to tears)

PARTICLE PATTERN:

  • 人を + 場所/活動に + (さそ)う: to invite someone to somewhere/something

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 食事(しょくじ)(さそ)う: to invite to dinner
  • ()みに(さそ)う: to invite for drinks
  • (ねむ)りを(さそ)う: to induce sleep

RELATED:

  • (さそ)い: invitation (noun)
  • (さそ)い: invitation (polite)
  • (さそ)われる: to be invited (passive)