RSVP full form: Répondez s'il vous plaît

How to say it: letter by letter.

RSVP stands for the French phrase Répondez s'il vous plaît, which means "please reply". It is printed on invitations to ask the guest to tell the host whether they will come.

Why it matters

The host needs a count: how many chairs, how many plates, how many return gifts. A reply, even "sorry, we cannot come", lets them plan. Ignoring an RSVP is considered impolite, and so is replying yes and then not turning up.

How it appears on an invitation

Usually near the bottom, with a name, a phone number and often a date:

RSVP by 10 December: Anita 98xxxxxx10

On Indian wedding cards "RSVP" is often followed by a list of family members' names. This is a local custom in which the names are those of the hosts who join in inviting you.

Related wordings

• RSVP by a date: reply before that day.
• Regrets only: reply only if you cannot come; silence means yes.
• Plus one: you may bring one guest.

How to reply

A short message is enough. "Thank you for inviting us. Rohit and I will be happy to come on the 14th." Or: "Thank you for the invitation. I am sorry I will be out of town that day. Wishing you a lovely function." Say how many are coming if the invitation was for a family.

Using it as a word

In English RSVP is now also a verb: "Have you RSVP'd?" Because the letters already contain "please", "please RSVP" repeats itself, though it is very common and nobody minds.

Saying it

RSVP is said letter by letter. For invitation wording, see our sister site Invitations.

More chat full forms

• PTO Please Turn Over
• c/o care of
• w.e.f. with effect from
• wrt with respect to
• GM Good Morning
• GN Good Night
• HBD Happy Birthday
• TY Thank You

All chat, letters and everyday Next: FIR explained

Check what matters. These pages explain names and terms in general. Rules, dates, fees and limits change: take them from the official body. Read on 12 November 2026.