Skip to content
JapanLingo

mediate / introduce

N2
Onyomi
Stroke count
4
JLPT
N2

Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.

Memory tip

A flat illustration of a person bent forward from the waist in a bow, with the kanji 介 ("mediate") drawn into the picture.

Break 介 down and you get 人 (person) — a person standing on two legs. Picture a person bent forward from the waist in a bow, put 介 inside it, and let that scene stand for "mediate" — mediate / introduce. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.

Stroke Order

Stroke count: 4

General writing tips

These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.

  • •Write from top to bottom.
  • •Write from left to right.
  • •Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
  • •Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
  • •In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
  • •This kanji has 4 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.

Step by step

1
2
3
4

Practice Writing

Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.

Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.

Writing Tips

  • Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
  • Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
  • Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
  • Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.

Example words

baikai

mediation

kainyuu

intervention

kaigo

nursing care

chuukai

brokerage

shoukai

introduction

chuukaishita

plain past: did brokerage

Example sentences (6)

tenshoku saito de yoi kaisha o shoukai saremashita.

A good company was introduced to me on a job-change site.

tomodachi ni shoukai shite moratta mise wa, totemo oishikatta desu.

The restaurant my friend introduced me to was really good.

douryou ni tomodachi o shoukai shimashita.

I introduced my friend to a coworker.

ii haisha o shitte itara, shoukai shite moraemasen ka.

If you know a good dentist, could you introduce me to one?

jishin o motte susumerareru hito dake o shoukai shiteimasu.

I only refer people I can recommend with confidence.

mensetsu no toki wa, hisshi de oboeta jikoshoukai o hanashimashita.

At the interview, I gave the self-introduction I had frantically memorized.