"to invite"

When inviting someone from a Spanish-speaking culture to dinner, be sure you know what you are offering.  In the Spanish-speaking world when you invite someone, you are implying that you will also pay for them to attend.  You might also be inviting their friends and family. 

My parents sponsored a child, Celia, through Compassion International.  I was in the country, so a friend and I went to visit Celia at her school.  We spent some time with her there at the end of the day.  Her father and brother were at the school as well.  I got to meet them and talk for a few minutes.  It never seemed odd to me that her older brother and her father were at school with her.

When school was over, we offered to take Celia out to eat.  The translator pulled me aside and said that Celia's dad and brother would like to go with us.  It was implied that if they came, I would be buying.  They came, and I did.  It was well worth it; it was their first time eating in a restaurant.