This Is My Friend: 这是… and 介绍
Introduce a friend, classmate or teacher with 这是… and 我介绍一下, say who you know with 认识, and greet and behave politely when you meet people.
这是…: introducing someone
To introduce a third person, gesture toward them and say 这是 (zhè shì) + who they are: 这是王芳 (zhè shì Wáng Fāng) (this is Wang Fang), 这是我朋友 (zhè shì wǒ péngyou) (this is my friend). 这 (zhè) means "this," and here it stands on its own, like English "this is…".
English switches between "this is," "here's" and "meet"; Chinese uses 这是 for all of them, for people as well as things. For someone further away, 那是 (nà shì) means "that is": 那是李老师 (nà shì Lǐ lǎoshī). (Unit 3 puts 这 and 那 in front of nouns.)
Notice 我朋友 (wǒ péngyou), "my friend," with nothing between 我 and 朋友. With close people that's the normal way to say it; Unit 3 gives the full rule for "my."
Quick check
1. You're introducing your friend 张伟. What do you say?
我介绍一下 and 认识
Before an introduction, Chinese speakers often say 我介绍一下 (wǒ jièshào yíxià), "let me introduce (you)." 介绍 (jièshào) is "to introduce," and 一下 (yíxià) softens it, like "quickly." Learn the three words as one phrase for now.
认识 (rènshi) means "to know (a person)" or "to get to know": 我认识他 (wǒ rènshi tā) (I know him), 我不认识她 (wǒ bú rènshi tā) (I don't know her). It's for people and places, not facts. You already know it from 认识你很高兴 (rènshi nǐ hěn gāoxìng), "nice to meet you."
A full introduction: 我介绍一下，这是刘洋，这是陈静。 (wǒ jièshào yíxià, zhè shì Liú Yáng, zhè shì Chén Jìng.) Then each says 你好 to the other.
Quick check
1. Complete (characters or pinyin).
Culture: 早, standing up and two hands
早 (zǎo) ("early") is a quick "morning!" between friends, neighbours and colleagues; 早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo) is the fuller "good morning." With a title: 王老师，早！ (Wáng lǎoshī, zǎo!)
When you're introduced, especially to someone older or senior, stand up. A light handshake is normal at work; a nod and a smile work everywhere. Hugs and cheek kisses aren't part of a first meeting.
Offer and receive things -- a business card, a gift, a cup of tea -- with both hands. It's a small gesture, and people notice it.
Quick check
1. Someone hands you a business card at a first meeting. What's the polite way to take it?
Try it yourself
Write a sentence or two using what this lesson covered. Not graded -- just for you, saved so you can come back to it.
Pick with a tap, a number key or Space. A Chinese keyboard on your device works in the box below too.
Final review
0/15 answered across this lesson
1. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).
2. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).
3. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).
4. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).
5. Say it in Chinese (characters or pinyin).
6. Complete (characters or pinyin).
7. Complete (characters or pinyin).
8. Put the words in order.
Hint: “This is my classmate, Li Ming.”
9. Match each word to its meaning.
10. Translate into English.
11. Who is being introduced?
12. Introduce a friend to someone.
Say your answer out loud and record it, then compare it with the model.
Tip: 一下 is yíxià: 一 rises before the fourth-tone 下.