1.
to be kindly invited; to receive an invitation — a formal, humble way of acknowledging that one has been invited by the addressee or by a person the speaker respects
A set phrase combining お招き ('invitation', with the honorific prefix お) and あずかる ('to be granted, to partake of [something offered]', used humbly to receive a favor). Speakers use it to gratefully acknowledge having been invited somewhere, treating the invitation itself as a favor extended to them. Common in formal speeches, thank-you remarks at weddings, parties, and official gatherings.
お招きにあずかりまして、ありがとうございます。
Thank you very much for kindly inviting me.
A formal, humble set phrase used by a guest to acknowledge the host's invitation with gratitude. The あずかる here carries its humble meaning of 'to be granted' or 'to receive (something favorable)'.
Usage
- Most at home as the opening line of a formal thank-you speech, a toast, or a polite email reply.
- Often continues with ありがとうございます, 光栄に存じます, or a similar polite expression of gratitude.
- Not used in casual speech; among friends, plain 呼んでくれてありがとう or 招いてくれてありがとう is used instead.
- The speaker places themselves below the host, so this phrase is appropriate when the host is a superior, client, or honored acquaintance, or when the setting itself (wedding, ceremony) calls for formal speech.
Common collocations
- お招きにあずかり、ありがとうございます: thank you for the invitation
- お招きにあずかり、光栄に存じます: I am honored to have been invited
- 本日はお招きにあずかり: today, being kindly invited (opening of a formal speech)
- 身に余るお招きにあずかる: to receive an invitation beyond what one deserves (very humble)
Similar words
- 招待される: to be invited — plain, neutral equivalent.
- お招きいただく: to be (kindly) invited — humble, but slightly less formal than あずかる; very common in business and formal writing.
- ご招待にあずかる: synonymous variant using the Sino-Japanese noun 招待; equally formal.
- お呼ばれする: to be invited over (to someone's home) — softer, more colloquial.
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Humble, formal (謙譲語). Used by adults in formal public and professional settings; inappropriate in casual conversation.