초대하다 (cho-dae-ha-da, chodaehada) · 불러주다 (bul-reo-ju-da, bulreojuda)
'초대하다' denotes a formal, polite invitation, while '불러주다' expresses calling someone in a more casual and informal way.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
To formally and politely invite someone to an event or place
When to use
wedding invitation, company event invitation, friend's housewarming invitation
The nuance
Used in formal situations or polite invitations when requesting someone to attend an event.
To call someone by name or sound, or to casually ask someone to come to a place or gathering
When to use
calling friend over, calling child by name, inviting to karaoke
The nuance
Used in friendly or informal contexts to call someone or invite them to a song or performance.
결혼식에 친구들을 초대했어요.
gyeol-hon-sik-e chin-gu-deul-eul cho-dae-haess-eo-yo., gyeol hon sik e chin gu deul eul cho dae haess eo yo.
Appropriate for politely inviting people to a formal event.
결혼식에 친구들을 불러줬어요.
gyeol-hon-sik-e chin-gu-deul-eul bul-reo-jwoss-eo-yo., gyeol hon sik e chin gu deul eul bul reo jwoss eo yo.
'불러주다' is too informal for a formal event like a wedding; use '초대하다' instead.
친구를 집에 불러줬어요.
chin-gu-reul jip-e bul-reo-jwoss-eo-yo., chin gu reul jip e bul reo jwoss eo yo.
Suitable for casually calling a friend over.
친구를 집에 초대했어요.
chin-gu-reul jip-e cho-dae-haess-eo-yo., chin gu reul jip e cho dae haess eo yo.
Natural and polite expression for inviting a friend to your home.
아이를 이름으로 초대했어요.
a-i-reul i-reum-eu-ro cho-dae-haess-eo-yo., a i reul i reum eu ro cho dae haess eo yo.
'초대하다' is not used for calling someone by name; use '불러주다'.
아이를 이름으로 불러줬어요.
a-i-reul i-reum-eu-ro bul-reo-jwoss-eo-yo., a i reul i reum eu ro bul reo jwoss eo yo.
A friendly expression for calling a child by name.
노래방에 친구를 초대했어요.
no-rae-bang-e chin-gu-reul cho-dae-haess-eo-yo., no rae bang e chin gu reul cho dae haess eo yo.
Used to politely invite someone to a private gathering like karaoke.
노래방에 친구를 불러줬어요.
no-rae-bang-e chin-gu-reul bul-reo-jwoss-eo-yo., no rae bang e chin gu reul bul reo jwoss eo yo.
Natural and casual way to call a friend to karaoke.
Which word should you use when inviting people to a wedding?
Which expression is appropriate when calling a child's name?
Which word do you use to politely invite a friend to your house?
