介绍
to introduce; introduction
jièshào
What does 介绍 mean?
介绍 (jièshào) means 'to introduce' — both introducing one person to another and introducing a topic, product, or place. It functions as a verb most of the time, but can also be a noun ('an introduction'). Two patterns matter: 介绍 A 给 B ('introduce A to B'), and 给 B 介绍 A. Native speakers very often soften the verb with 一下 — 介绍一下 ('do a brief intro') — which makes the request feel polite and casual.
Beyond people, you 介绍 a city to a visitor, 介绍 a product in a sales pitch, or 介绍 a book in a review. The English 'introduce yourself' is 自我介绍 (zìwǒ jièshào), a fixed phrase you'll hear in every classroom and job interview. Unlike English 'introduce,' Chinese 介绍 is rarely used for 'introducing' a new policy or law — for that, use 推出 (tuīchū).
Note: Works for both formal and casual introductions. The polite framing
Character breakdown
to be in between; intermediary
to connect; carry on
Memory hook: 介 (in between) + 绍 (connect) — to stand between two people and connect them. That's literally what an introduction does.
Example sentences
我来介绍一下，这是我朋友小李。
Wǒ lái jièshào yíxià, zhè shì wǒ péngyou Xiǎo Lǐ.
Let me introduce — this is my friend Xiao Li.
spoken
请你做一下自我介绍。
Qǐng nǐ zuò yíxià zìwǒ jièshào.
Please give a brief self-introduction.
polite, formal
她给我介绍了一个工作。
Tā gěi wǒ jièshào le yí ge gōngzuò.
She introduced me to a job.
neutral
这本书介绍了中国的历史。
Zhè běn shū jièshào le Zhōngguó de lìshǐ.
This book introduces Chinese history.
written
Common phrases with 介绍
Synonyms
推荐 is 'to recommend' — you suggest someone or something is good. 介绍 is more neutral — you simply make the connection or describe. 介绍工作 means 'tell someone about a job'; 推荐工作 means 'recommend them for it.'
说明 is 'to explain / clarify' — focused on how something works or what it means. 介绍 is broader and warmer; you 介绍 a product to make people interested, you 说明 it to make them understand.
Don't confuse 介绍 with
解释 means 'to explain' — to clarify a reason, misunderstanding, or how something works. 介绍 is 'to present / introduce.' Beginners mix these because both start with jiě-.
介意 means 'to mind' (as in 'do you mind?'). Same first character 介 but completely different meaning. 你介意吗？ = 'Do you mind?'; 你介绍一下 = 'Give a brief intro.'
FAQ
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