Chapter 3: The Invitation

Simplified Chinese (Mandarin: China)
邀请 Yāoqǐng	邀请 yāoqǐng = 'invitation'.	The Invitation
Traditional Chinese (Mandarin: Taiwan)
邀請 Yāoqǐng	邀請 yāoqǐng = 'invitation'.	The Invitation
Japanese
招待状 Shōtai-jō	招待 shōtai = 'invitation'. 状 -jō = 'letter, card'.	The Invitation Card
Korean
초대 Chodae	초대 (招待) chodae.	The Invitation
Vietnamese (Chinese characters show etymology)
Thiệp mời	thiệp (帖) = 'card'. mời = 'invite, invitation'.	The Invitation Card
Mongolian (new)
Урилга Ur'lag	урилга ur'lag = 'invitation (card)'.	The Invitation (Card)

This was the invitation, delivered by owl post, that Harry received from the Weasley's to go to the Quidditch World Cup.

How is 'invitation' translated?

'Invitation' can refer to two things in English: the act of inviting, whether written or spoken, or the piece of paper (nowadays just as likely an email) on which it is written.

• The Chinese-language translators (Mainland and Taiwanese), the Korean translator, and the Mongolian translator focus on the act of inviting.
  
  
  • The Chinese translators use the word 邀請 (Trad.) / 邀请 (Simpl.) yāoqǐng 'invitation'. The Chinese word can be used as a noun or a verb.
    
    
  • The Korean translation uses 초대 (招待) chodae meaning 'invitation'. The verb is 초대하다 chodae-hada 'to invite'.
    
    
  • The Mongolian uses урилга ur'lag (derived from the word урих urikh 'to invite'). Like the Chinese it can simply mean 'invitation'. However, it can also refer to the physical invitation card (see below).
    
    
• The Japanese and Vietnamese translators focus on the card or letter of invitation sent to the Dudleys asking if Harry could attend.
  
  
  • The Japanese uses 招待状 shōtai-jō meaning 'card/letter of invitation'. The verb 'to invite' is 招待する shōtai suru
    
    
  • The Vietnamese uses thiệp mời, again the opposite order from the English, literally 'card invitation'. Converted to English order it becomes 'invitation card'. The verb 'to invite' is mời.

  (Korean appears thanks to "Hiro".)

  (Detailed notes on the chapter can be found at Harry Potter Lexicon)

  ⇚ Chapter 2

  Chapter 4 ⇛