RSVP means “Répondez s'il vous plaît” , a French phrase that means “please reply” or “please respond.” It’s used on invitations to ask guests to confirm whether they will attend.

What it means

When you see RSVP on an invitation, the host wants a clear yes or no, so they can plan food, seating, and other arrangements. In Spanish, it’s often explained as “responda por favor” or “se ruega confirmación”.

How to respond

  • If you can go, reply with your confirmation.
  • If you cannot go, reply politely and let them know.
  • Try to respond as soon as possible, because the host may need your answer for planning.

Simple example

If an invitation says “RSVP by Friday,” it means you should tell the host before Friday whether you’re attending.

TL;DR: RSVP = “please reply” / “please confirm your attendance”.