特邀
tè yāo · HSK 7
special invitation
✉️ 特 = special + 邀 = invite, so 特邀 = a special invite
特 means special or particular; 邀 means to invite. Put together, 特邀 is a special invitation, the kind extended to a guest of honor rather than a general open call.
特 — cow 牛 + temple 寺 (phonetic)
Originally referred to a male bull or large ox, with 牛 'cow' as the meaning component and 寺 supplying the sound. Over time it shifted from 'bull' to 'special, particular, unique,' the sense used today.
邀 — 辶 walk + 敫 (phonetic, 'bright/call out')
邀 is a phono-semantic compound. The 辶 radical signals motion or going, while 敫 supplies the sound and a sense of calling out or sending forth. Together they convey going out to meet or summon someone, which evolved into the modern meaning 'to invite'.