einladen

Einladen is a German verb meaning to invite. It is a separable verb, so in many tenses the prefix ein- is separated from the stem and placed at the end of the clause (ich lade dich ein). The related noun is die Einladung (invitation); the adjective form is einladend.

Usage and grammar: The verb takes a person as the direct object, as in "Ich lade dich ein" (I invite you). It is commonly used with a zu-phrase to specify the occasion: "Ich lade dich zu meiner Geburtstagsfeier ein." The past participle is eingeladen, used with haben: "Ich habe dich eingeladen." The verb can also appear with a future construction: "Ich werde dich einladen."

Conjugation and forms: Present tense — ich lade ein, du lädst ein, er lädt ein, wir laden ein, ihr ladet ein, sie laden ein. Past tense (Präteritum) exists in formal usage (ich lud dich ein). Present perfect — ich habe dich eingeladen. Future — ich werde dich einladen. Imperative — Lade ein! Ladet ein! Laden Sie ein!

Related expressions: A common noun is die Einladung (invitation). Related phrases include "eine Einladung aussprechen" (to issue an invitation), "eine Einladung annehmen" (to accept an invitation), and "eine Einladung ablehnen" (to decline an invitation). The adjective einladend describes something inviting.

Etymology and notes: Einladen combines ein- with laden (to load). The sense shift from “to load into” to “to invite someone to join” developed over time. The word is used across formal and informal registers and is widely understood in German-speaking areas.