誘う

さそう · sasou · JLPT N3 · verb-godan

to invite

💌 誘 = 言 words + 秀 excellent: fine words that invite or lure

The kanji pairs 言 (speech) with 秀 (excellent): sweet talk that pulls someone in. Sound hook: sasou sounds like 'say so', as in 'Say so if you want to come along!' It covers a friendly invitation and a tempting lure.

More Japanese words · How Japanese works