招 待 状(しょうたいじょう)

しょうたいじょう

noun

written invitation; invitation card

1. written invitation; invitation card

A formal written invitation to an event such as a wedding, party, ceremony, or exhibition. Typically a printed or handwritten card sent by mail.

結婚式(けっこんしき)の招待状(しょうたいじょう)が届(とど)いた。

A wedding invitation arrived.

招待状(しょうたいじょう)の返事(へんじ)は早(はや)めに出(だ)しましょう。

Let's reply to the invitation promptly.

招待状(しょうたいじょう)には会場(かいじょう)の地図(ちず)と出欠(しゅっけつ)の返信(へんしん)はがきが同封(どうふう)されていた。

Enclosed with the invitation were a map to the venue and a reply postcard for RSVP.

Usage: 招待状(しょうたいじょう) refers to the physical written invitation. The act of inviting is 招待(しょうたい)する.

Common collocations

招待状(しょうたいじょう)を送(おく)る (to send an invitation)
招待状(しょうたいじょう)が届(とど)く (an invitation arrives)
招待状(しょうたいじょう)を受(う)け取(と)る (to receive an invitation)
招待状(しょうたいじょう)の返信(へんしん) (reply to an invitation)

In Japanese wedding etiquette, the reply postcard (返信(へんしん)はがき) included with the 招待状(しょうたいじょう) follows specific formatting conventions, such as crossing out the honorific 御(ご) before your own name and adding 寿(ことぶき) decorations.

Related Words

Related: 招待(しょうたい) (invitation (the act))

Compare: 案内状(あんないじょう) (invitation letter)

Compare: 招待券(しょうたいけん) (complimentary ticket)

Compare: 返信(へんしん)はがき (reply postcard)

general

Added 2026.3.3 20:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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