Invité vs. hôte
While both invité and hôte can be translated as guest in English, they are not interchangeable. Invité is the most common and direct term, whereas hôte is more formal and carries a potential ambiguity as it can also mean host.
Invité
A2An invité is someone who has been formally or informally invited to a specific place or event, such as a dinner, a party, a wedding, or a show. This word comes directly from the verb inviter (to invite) and is the most straightforward and common word for guest.
Tous les invités ont adoré le gâteau au chocolat.
(All the guests loved the chocolate cake.)
Je suis l'invité de Paul ce soir, il paie le restaurant.
(I am Paul's guest tonight, he is paying for the restaurant.)
La liste des invités pour la conférence est maintenant finalisée.
(The guest list for the conference is now finalized.)
Notre émission de radio accueille un invité spécial chaque semaine.
(Our radio show welcomes a special guest every week.)
N'oubliez pas d'envoyer les cartons d'invitation à tous les invités.
(Don't forget to send the invitation cards to all the guests.)
Hôte
B1An hôte is a more complex word because it is an auto-antonym, meaning it can signify both guest (the person being received) and host (the person who receives). When used to mean guest, it often implies a longer stay, as in lodging ('chambre d'hôtes' means guest room or B&B), or is used in a more formal, literary, or even scientific context. It emphasizes the relationship of being sheltered or accommodated.
L'hôtel est fier d'offrir le meilleur service à ses hôtes.
(The hotel is proud to offer the best service to its guests.)
Le château accueille des hôtes prestigieux du monde entier.
(The castle welcomes prestigious guests from all over the world.)
Les hirondelles sont les hôtes bienvenus de nos granges en été.
(Swallows are the welcome guests of our barns in the summer.)
En tant qu'hôte, il a préparé un magnifique repas pour ses amis.
(As a host, he prepared a magnificent meal for his friends.)
Nous tenons une chambre d'hôtes dans notre maison de campagne.
(We run a bed and breakfast (literally guest room) in our country house.)
Summary
In short, use invité when someone has been invited to an event like a party or dinner. It is the safest and most common choice. Use hôte for a guest in the context of lodging (like a hotel or B&B) or in a more formal or poetic setting. Be mindful that hôte can also mean host, so context is crucial to avoid misunderstanding.