Making a clear invitation
Hast du Lust, am Samstag zu kommen?
Give the occasion, place and time and ask for the information needed to prepare.
A useful invitation tells the guest what, where and when: Ich lade dich am Samstag zum Spieleabend ein. Einladen is separable: ich lade … ein. After Lust haben use a zu-infinitive: Hast du Lust, zu kommen? Ask for a reply when preparation depends on numbers: Gib mir bitte bis Donnerstag Bescheid. Bis Donnerstag is the reply deadline, not the event date. Zum Spieleabend uses zu dem; am Samstag gives the day and um sieben the time. An invitation is a proposal until the guest accepts. A reply should address practical questions such as bringing food or arriving later.
Ich lade dich zum Spieleabend ein.
I am inviting you to a games evening.
Hast du Lust, am Samstag zu kommen?
Would you like to come on Saturday?
Wir treffen uns um sieben bei mir.
We are meeting at my place at seven.
Bring bitte etwas zu trinken mit.
Please bring something to drink.
Gib mir bitte bis Donnerstag Bescheid.
Please let me know by Thursday.
Kannst du auch etwas später kommen?
Could you come a little later as well?
A useful invitation tells the guest what, where and when: Ich lade dich am Samstag zum Spieleabend ein. Einladen is separable: ich lade … ein. After Lust haben use a zu-infinitive: Hast du Lust, zu kommen? Ask for a reply when preparation depends on numbers: Gib mir bitte bis Donnerstag Bescheid. Bis Donnerstag is the reply deadline, not the event date. Zum Spieleabend uses zu dem; am Samstag gives the day and um sieben the time. An invitation is a proposal until the guest accepts. A reply should address practical questions such as bringing food or arriving later.
Give the occasion, place and time and ask for the information needed to prepare.
Do not confuse the event date with the reply deadline. A question about availability is not an acceptance.
Ich lade dich … ein. Hast du Lust, zu kommen? Veranstaltung am Samstag; Rückmeldung bis Donnerstag.
Invite a friend to a fictional evening at home. Include the day, start time, place, one thing to bring and a reply deadline.