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Recevoir or accueillir: phrases for messages and guests

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Receive an invitation, have friends over and welcome them at the door. Practise recevoir and accueillir with French phrases, pictures and a quick check.

In short

Recevoir means to receive something: recevoir un message. It also means to have guests over: recevoir des amis. Accueillir focuses on receiving or welcoming someone on arrival: accueillir les invités à la porte.

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A host welcomes friends into a home with a table set for dinner.
At the door, the host comes to accueillir les invit’s. Illustration: Atelier
1

An invitation reaches you

Recevoir names the receipt; the next sentence gives the reply.

YouJ’ai bien reçu ton invitation, merci !I’ve received your invitation, thanks!
Your friendTu peux venir samedi soir ?Can you come on Saturday evening?
YouOui, avec plaisir. À quelle heure ?Yes, I’d love to. What time?
2

Say who you are hosting

Here recevoir means having people over at home.

YouSamedi, nous recevons des amis à dîner.On Saturday, we’re having friends over for dinner.
Your friendVous recevez beaucoup de monde ?Are you having a lot of people over?
YouNon, juste quatre amis.No, just four friends.
3

Welcome someone at the door

Accueillir names the welcome. In the welcome itself, short invitations such as Entrez ! sound natural.

YouJe vais accueillir les invités. Tu peux surveiller le four ?I’m going to welcome the guests. Can you keep an eye on the oven?
Your friendBien sûr, je reste dans la cuisine.Of course, I’ll stay in the kitchen.
YouBonsoir, entrez ! Vous avez fait bon voyage ?Good evening, come in! Did you have a good journey?
Your friendOui, merci de nous accueillir chez vous.Yes, thanks for welcoming us into your home.

Things you can receive

Forms you will hear in these exchanges
VerbIWePast participle
recevoirje reçoisnous recevonsreçu
accueillirj’accueillenous accueillonsaccueilli

Both verbs work with visitors: Nous recevons des amis ce soir presents the social occasion; Nous accueillons des amis chez nous presents their reception or stay. The manner can change too: accueillir chaleureusement means to welcome warmly, while accueillir froidement means to receive coldly.

Question 1No account needed
Complete the sentence about a parcel.J’ai ___ un colis ce matin.

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

reçu. For receiving a parcel, choose recevoir: the past participle is reçu.

Question 2No account needed
What does Nous recevons des amis à dîner mean?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

We are having friends over for dinner.. With guests and à dîner, recevoir means having people over.

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