介绍

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 让我介绍一下 ('let me make a brief introduction') is the standard opener at meetings, dinners, and events.

Memory hook: 介 (in between) + 绍 (connect) — to stand between two people and connect them. That's literally what an introduction does.