The full form of RSVP is 'Répondez S'il Vous Plaît'. In French, this means 'please respond'. The literal meaning, however, is 'respond if it pleases you'. The root verb behind the word répondez is répondre; répondez can be either second person plural present indicative or the second person plural imperative of répondre. In case of this popularly used phrase, it is the second one. The verb root répondre in French means 'to respond'. Since French has a detailed conjugation like Sanskrit, the subject is not required and you can understand which person and number (here second person plural) are being indicated. Thus, saying only répondez means 'vous répondez' or 'you (plural) respond'.
'S'il vous plaît', in French, is the usage for English 'please'. The literal meaning is 'if it pleases you'. Vous is the plural as well as the polite or formal form of second person, which is otherwise 'tu'. While speaking politely, or speaking to elderly people, or in formal situations, we use s'il vous plaît. In informal cases, s'il te plaît is the commoner form.
France since the medieval period was known for its etiquettes and chivalry. In England, especially the high society, French etiquettes came to be adopted in the late 18th century. It can be assumed, therefore, that the tradition of writing RSVP began at that time. In fact, in the 19th and 20th century England, it was considered very impolite and rude if someone did not write RSVP in an invitation card. It was also the custom to reply an invitation with RSVP. If someone failed to respond to an invitation with a RSVP within a few days, the person was considered quite unsocial.
The person has been continued since then. Nowadays, many people may not know the meaning of RSVP, and they may not imply it as well; but it has simply been a custom to mention it. Nevertheless, if you receive an invitation card with RSVP, it will be good gesture to reply to it, by surface mail, email, phone call or whatsoever.
RSVP is a usage custom to tell you that you may reply to the host. The abbreviated notation can be added to any letter where the host can reasonably expect a reply. As he cannot demand a reply, because then it will be considered improper manners,this formal term is used.
It is a good practice to reply and confirm about one's attending the event or not attending same due to some genuine preoccupations. As many events are arranged at much cost, our reply can give the host with a fair idea of things. Sometimes we may need arrangements of accommodation or any other help. If the invitation has RSVP, then we may reply informing all these.
Qu. (1) RSVP: It is a common word written on our invitation card. It is very popular nowadays. It means – Please respond if you please. It is written to know the consent of the person whom we are sending our invitation.
Qu (2) What does this RSVP stand for?
Ans: This is a custom of our modern time written on our invitation cards to know the consent of the person about the event that is going to take place. These words stand for knowing the consent of the person whom we are sending invitation card so that it may be useful while making arrangements.
Qu. (3) Please advise. what does this RSVP stands for?
Ans: When we are going to celebrate some big events or arranging our marriage ceremony. We send invitation cards to our friends and to our relatives. We want that our arrangements should be very good and there should not be any disturbance in it. So we make an estimate about the expenses of this function. So for accurate estimation we want to know how many persons are coming in this function. So we send our invitation with the word RSVP at the end of the invitation so that we may know their consent.
In this way RSVP is a modern custom used on letters or on invitations to know the consent of the persons for making good and best arrangements.
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