紹介
shōkai[ɕo̞ːka̠i]
The Japanese word for "introduction" (the means of presenting one person to another) is 紹介 (shōkai).
紹介 is a noun used when presenting someone to another person. In professional or medical settings, a formal letter of introduction or a referral is called 紹介状.
Meaning: means of presenting one person to another (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, Watashi wa is often replaced with Uchi wa when referring to oneself.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can turn the noun 紹介 into the verb "to introduce" by adding する to form 紹介する. If you want to say you were introduced (in a passive sense), it is common to use the phrase 紹介を受ける. If you want to express that someone did the favor of introducing you, use the construction 紹介してもらう.
How do you pronounce it?
shōkai
When do people say it?
When referring to others, it is respectful to add the title -san after their name. In casual or masculine speech, one might say Ore wa [Your Name] だ to mean "I am [Your name]."
Did you know?
- In many business contexts, instead of just using a verbal 紹介, people often exchange physical business cards, called 名刺 (meishi), as a formal way to complete an introduction.
- The word 介 in 紹介 is the same character used in the word 介助 (kaijo), which means 'assistance' or 'nursing care'.
- When performing a 紹介, it is customary for the person of lower social status to be introduced first to the person of higher status.
Examples in context
- その講演者はとても有名だったので紹介は不要なほどだった。The speaker was so well-known as to need no introduction.This sentence shows how to express that a speaker is well-known enough to require no 紹介.Tatoeba #210678 by Kaede, translation #47948 by orcrist
- バルボアさんはとても有名なので、紹介する必要はありません。Mr Balboa is so well known as to need no introduction.This sentence uses 紹介 to state that a person is well-known and does not need an introduction.Tatoeba #197813 by bunbuku, translation #35001 by mailohilohi
- うん。前の先生に紹介してもらって、転院したの。Yes. She got an introduction from her old doctor and transferred.This sentence uses the form 紹介 to describe receiving an introduction from a doctor.Tatoeba #74868 by fcbond, translation #328851 by fcbond
Example conversation
Yota is introducing a friend to Yui.
- 陽太 Yota結衣、簡単な紹介をしてもいい？Yui, kantan na shoukai o shite mo ii?Yui, can I give you a brief introduction?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、いいよ。誰なの？Un, ii yo. Dare nano?Yeah, sure. Who is it?
- 陽太 Yota僕の大学の友達だよ。Boku no daigaku no tomodachi dayo.He is a friend from my university.
- 結衣 Yui紹介してくれてありがとう、陽太。Shoukai shite kurete arigatou, Yota.Thanks for the introduction, Yota.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “introduction” translations and entries 紹介, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
