Inviter vs. convier
The French verbs 'inviter' and 'convier' both mean 'to invite' in English, but they have subtle differences in usage and connotation.
Inviter
'Inviter' is the more common and versatile term for inviting someone. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Je t'invite à dîner ce soir.
(I invite you to dinner tonight.)
Ils nous ont invités à leur mariage.
(They invited us to their wedding.)
Le professeur a invité les étudiants à poser des questions.
(The professor invited the students to ask questions.)
Convier
'Convier' is a more formal and elegant way to express an invitation. It often implies a sense of gathering or bringing people together for a special occasion.
Le président a convié les diplomates à un dîner officiel.
(The president invited the diplomats to an official dinner.)
Nous vous convions à la cérémonie d'ouverture.
(We invite you to the opening ceremony.)
L'artiste a convié ses amis à l'avant-première de son exposition.
(The artist invited his friends to the preview of his exhibition.)
Summary
While both 'inviter' and 'convier' mean 'to invite', 'inviter' is more versatile and commonly used in everyday situations. 'Convier' is more formal and often used for special or official occasions, implying a sense of gathering or bringing people together.