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.
本日はお招きにあずかり、光栄に存じます。
It is an honor to have been invited today.
このたびは結婚披露宴にお招きにあずかり、誠にありがとうございます。
Thank you so very much for inviting me to this wedding reception.
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.
REGISTER:
Humble, formal (謙譲語). Used by adults in formal public and professional settings; inappropriate in casual conversation.