Inviting a colleague who might say no in French

1. 1
   inviter/ɛ̃vite/

   inviteverb

   Ask someone to come along with you.
2. 2
   refuser/ʁəfyze/

   refuseverb

   Say no to what's being offered to you.
3. 3
   envie/ɑ̃vi/

   urgenoun

   A wish to do something.
4. 4

   librefree

5. 5

   occupébusy

6. 6

   hésiterhesitate

7. 7

   dérangerbother

8. 8

   prétexteexcuse

9. 9

   reporterpostpone

10. 10

    verreglass

The sentences3 of 10

1. Est-ce que je peux vous inviter à boire un verre ?

   Can I take you out for a drink?

2. Vous pouvez refuser, je ne le prendrai pas mal.

   You can say no, I won't take it the wrong way.

3. Vous avez envie de sortir après le travail ?

   Do you feel like going out after work?

Pronunciation

• inviter/ɛ̃vite/

  The "in" at the start sounds like the vowel in "vin" (French for wine), without the n being pronounced.

• refuser/ʁəfyze/

  The u sounds like the French "tu", not like the English "oo".

• envie/ɑ̃vi/

  The "en" sounds like the vowel in the French word "vent", without the n being pronounced.

Good to know

verre entre collègues

Suggesting a drink after work is a common, low-pressure way to get to know a colleague better, without implying anything more.

dire non poliment

In France, people often turn down an invitation by giving a reason rather than a flat no, to stay polite.

reporter plutôt que refuser

Suggesting to reschedule for later is a common way to leave the door open without committing right away.