Writing a Spanish Invitation and a Reply

Writing a Spanish Invitation and a Reply

In this lesson, you will write a short Spanish invitation and a short reply. Use familiar language for the activity, day, time, and place.

What an invitation should include

1. a greeting
2. the activity
3. the day or date
4. the time
5. the place

Useful invitation opening

• Hola, Ana. — Hello, Ana.
• ¿Quieres venir? — Do you want to come?
• ¿Quieres ir al parque? — Do you want to go to the park?
• ¿Quieres comer en un restaurante? — Do you want to eat in a restaurant?

Add the day

• El sábado voy a ir al parque. — On Saturday I am going to go to the park.
• El domingo voy a comer en un restaurante. — On Sunday I am going to eat in a restaurant.

Add the time

• A las cuatro. — At four.
• A las siete. — At seven.

Add the place

• En el parque. — In the park.
• En el restaurante. — In the restaurant.
• En mi casa. — At my house.

Complete invitation model

Hola, Ana. El sábado voy a ir al parque a las cuatro. ¿Quieres venir? — Hello, Ana. On Saturday I am going to go to the park at four. Do you want to come?

Accepting in writing

A short positive reply can be:

Sí, claro. El sábado a las cuatro. Gracias. — Yes, of course. Saturday at four. Thank you.

Declining in writing

A short polite decline can be:

Lo siento, no puedo. Tengo que trabajar. — I am sorry, I cannot. I have to work.

Suggesting another day

You can add:

¿Y el domingo? — What about Sunday?

Reply with an alternative

Lo siento, no puedo el sábado. ¿Y el domingo? — I am sorry, I cannot on Saturday. What about Sunday?

Invitation with a meal

Hola, Carlos. El viernes voy a comer en un restaurante a las siete. ¿Quieres venir? — Hello, Carlos. On Friday I am going to eat in a restaurant at seven. Do you want to come?

Positive reply

Sí, perfecto. El viernes a las siete. — Yes, perfect. Friday at seven.

Invitation with study

Hola, Marta. ¿Quieres estudiar conmigo el martes a las seis? — Hello, Marta. Do you want to study with me on Tuesday at six?

For this lesson, conmigo — with me is a useful invitation word.

Negative reply with a reason

Lo siento, no puedo el martes. Tengo que trabajar. — I am sorry, I cannot on Tuesday. I have to work.

Keep the reply connected to the invitation

Repeat the key day or time if it helps confirm the plan.

Sí, puedo. El martes a las seis. — Yes, I can. Tuesday at six.

Writing task

Write one invitation with an activity, day, time, and place. Then write either an acceptance or a polite decline.

A practical writing method

1. Start with a greeting.
2. State the plan or ask ¿Quieres...?
3. Add the day.
4. Add the time.
5. Add the place.
6. Reply clearly with sí or no puedo.
7. Repeat important details when confirming.

From Written Invitations to Agreeing on the Final Plan

You can now write a simple invitation and a clear reply. The next lesson is a speaking task in which you will agree on a time, place, and backup plan.