DELF A2 vocabulary: invitations and short messages
Invite someone, answer clearly and change a plan without a long message.
By the Worlex teamUpdated September 26, 2026
In short
7 words and phrases with examples, and a 3-question quiz.
On this page
Make a plan
01
inviter quelqu’un à
to invite someone to
Je t’invite à mon anniversaire samedi.I’m inviting you to my birthday party on Saturday.
More examples
Nous vous invitons à dîner chez nous.We’re inviting you to dinner at our place.
Tu peux inviter Léa à venir avec nous.You can invite Léa to come with us.
Before a verb: inviter quelqu’un à venir = invite someone to come.
02
être libre
to be free; to be available
Tu es libre samedi après-midi ?Are you free on Saturday afternoon?
More examples
Je suis libre à partir de dix-huit heures.I’m free from six in the evening.
Nous ne sommes pas libres ce week-end.We aren’t free this weekend.
For several people: nous sommes libres = we are free. Formal vous for one person keeps libre singular.
03
se retrouver
to meet up
On se retrouve devant le cinéma ?Shall we meet outside the cinema?
More examples
Nous allons nous retrouver à la gare.We’re going to meet at the station.
Retrouvons-nous à midi devant l’entrée.Let’s meet at noon outside the entrance.
Choose a time and place: on se retrouve = we’re meeting up / shall we meet up.
Accept or change it
04
avec plaisir
gladly; I’d love to
Avec plaisir ! J’apporte un dessert.I’d love to! I’ll bring a dessert.
More examples
Merci pour l’invitation. Je viendrai avec plaisir.Thanks for the invitation. I’d be happy to come.
Je peux t’aider avec plaisir.I’d be happy to help you.
A clear acceptance. Add any practical detail the other person asked for.
05
ne pas pouvoir venir
not to be able to come
Désolé, je ne peux pas venir vendredi.Sorry, I can’t come on Friday.
More examples
Elle ne peut pas venir parce qu’elle travaille.She can’t come because she’s working.
Nous ne pouvons pas venir ce soir. Demain, c’est possible ?We can’t come this evening. Would tomorrow work?
Give a short reason, then an alternative when useful.
06
plutôt
rather; instead; preferably
On peut se voir plutôt dimanche ?Can we meet on Sunday instead?
More examples
Je viendrai plutôt vers quinze heures.I’ll come around three instead.
Allons au café plutôt qu’au restaurant.Let’s go to the café rather than the restaurant.
Here it changes a preference: plutôt samedi = Saturday instead.
07
prévenir quelqu’un
to let someone know; to warn someone
Préviens-moi si tu es en retard.Let me know if you’re running late.
More examples
Je vais prévenir les autres du changement.I’m going to let the others know about the change.
Merci de me prévenir avant vendredi.Please let me know before Friday.
In these messages, it means giving someone practical notice.
Quick practice
Try it yourself
Choose an answer, then check it.
Question 1 of 3
You want to accept. Which reply is clear?
Save this article
It stays in your account, under Saved.
Now make it yours
Your friend invites you on Friday and asks what you can bring. You are busy that day.
Thank your friend.
Explain why Friday does not work.
Suggest another day and say what you can bring.
See one possible answer
Merci pour ton invitation ! Je travaille vendredi soir.Thanks for your invitation! I’m working on Friday evening.
On peut se voir plutôt samedi ?Can we meet on Saturday instead?
Je peux apporter un dessert.I can bring a dessert.
When is your exam?
Enter the date to see how many weeks you have. Save it and it stays in your account.
Use this in a lesson
Read the examplesRead together, then hide the English for recall.
Work in pairsWrite a two-detail invitation: time plus something to bring. A partner replies to both details. Swap messages and check that nothing was missed.
Check togetherCompare answers and discuss why they fit.
