appeler vs inviter
French word comparison
Listen to appeler
Listen to inviter
| appeler | inviter |
|---|---|
/ah-PAY-lay/ verb | /an-vee-tay/ verb |
| to call; to name; to phone someone | to invite |
How they differ
"Inviter" is only a real synonym of "appeler" in the sense of calling someone over for an event or asking them to come. It does not mean phoning someone or naming someone, so its range is much narrower.
When to use each
When to use appeler: Use "appeler" for phone calls, getting attention, or naming someone.
When to use inviter: Use "inviter" when you want to ask someone to come to an event, meal, or gathering.
Side-by-side examples
- Elle a appelé ses amis pour leur annoncer la nouvelle.
(She called her friends to tell them the news.) - Elle a invité ses amis à dîner.
(She invited her friends to dinner.)
Register & nuance: "Inviter" is neutral and common, but it is not interchangeable with "appeler" except in the sense of asking someone to come.