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A2 noun #4,000 most common 13 min read

推销

tuixiao Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 推销 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 推销 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of 推销 (tuīxiāo) simply as a way to say 'selling' or 'showing a product' to someone. Even though it is a bit more advanced than the basic word for 'sell' (卖 mài), you will see it in very simple contexts like '推销员' (salesperson). Imagine a person showing you a book or a toy and trying to make you like it—that is the beginning of '推销'. At this stage, just remember that '推' means to push and '销' means to sell. You don't need to worry about complex business strategies. Just know that if someone is '推销', they want you to buy something. You might hear it in simple dialogues about jobs: '他是推销员' (He is a salesperson). It's a useful word to recognize when you are shopping or talking about what people do for work. Focus on the physical act: someone pushing a product towards a customer.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 推销 (tuīxiāo) to describe specific actions in everyday life. You should learn the basic sentence pattern: 向 [someone] 推销 [something]. For example, '他向我推销新手机' (He promoted a new phone to me). This is the level where you distinguish between just 'selling' (卖) and 'promoting' (推销). You might encounter this word when talking about advertisements on TV or people calling you on the phone. You should also be familiar with '自我推销' (self-promotion), which is a common topic in simple conversations about school or jobs. At A2, you are expected to understand that 推销 involves persuasion. It's not just a passive transaction; there is an active effort to convince the other person. You can use it to describe why you might be annoyed by a phone call or why a certain advertisement caught your attention.

At the B1 level, 推销 (tuīxiāo) enters the realm of business and professional communication. You should understand the difference between '推销' (tactical promotion) and '营销' (strategic marketing). B1 learners should be able to discuss '推销策略' (promotion strategies) or '推销技巧' (sales skills). You will see this word in news articles about companies expanding their markets or in workplace discussions about how to move inventory. You should also be able to use result complements with the word, such as '推销出去' (successfully sell) or '推销不动' (unable to sell/move the product). At this stage, you should also understand the metaphorical use of the word—promoting ideas or values. For instance, '推销他的计划' (promoting his plan). The focus shifts from simple actions to the effectiveness and methods of the promotion.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of the social and psychological implications of 推销 (tuīxiāo). You can discuss the 'hard sell' (强力推销) versus the 'soft sell' and the ethical boundaries of sales. B2 learners should be able to use the word in complex sentences involving the '把' construction: '他成功地把那个过时的观念推销给了大众' (He successfully pushed that outdated concept to the public). You should also be aware of synonyms like '促销' (sales promotion) and '推广' (to popularize/spread) and know exactly when to use each. In business contexts, you can talk about '推销渠道' (distribution channels) and how they affect the success of a product. You should also be able to analyze the tone of a text to see if '推销' is being used with a positive or negative connotation, as it can sometimes imply being overly aggressive or manipulative.

At the C1 level, 推销 (tuīxiāo) is used with precision in academic, economic, and high-level professional contexts. You should be able to discuss the role of 推销 within the broader framework of macroeconomics and consumer psychology. C1 learners can use the word to describe complex phenomena like '文化推销' (cultural promotion/soft power) or the '推销' of political ideologies on a global scale. You should be comfortable using the word in formal reports, debating its merits in marketing ethics, and understanding its use in classical literature or early 20th-century commercial history where the term began to take its modern form. At this level, you should also be familiar with sophisticated idioms or literary phrases that might include or relate to the concept of 'pushing' and 'selling,' and be able to use '推销' to critique or support complex business models.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 推销 (tuīxiāo) and can use it with complete native-like flexibility. You understand the deep etymological roots of the characters and how the concept of 'pushing and melting' reflects traditional Chinese commercial philosophy. You can use '推销' in highly abstract ways, perhaps in a philosophical discussion about how individuals 'sell' their identities in the digital age or how historical figures 'marketed' their revolutionary ideas. You are sensitive to the most subtle shifts in register—knowing exactly when '推销' sounds like a professional necessity and when it sounds like a vulgar commercialism. You can effortlessly switch between the literal commercial sense, the metaphorical personal sense, and the technical economic sense, using the word to add texture and precision to your most sophisticated arguments in both written and spoken Mandarin.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

推销 in 30 Seconds

推销 (tuīxiāo) means to actively promote or market a product or idea to others.
It consists of 'push' (推) and 'sell' (销), emphasizing proactive sales efforts.
Used in business for marketing and in daily life for self-promotion or telemarketing.
Commonly paired with '向' (to) to indicate the target audience of the promotion.

The Chinese term 推销 (tuīxiāo) is a cornerstone of commercial and interpersonal vocabulary, primarily functioning as a verb meaning 'to promote,' 'to market,' or 'to hawk,' but also frequently appearing in contexts where it describes the act of salesmanship or promotion itself. At its linguistic core, the word is composed of two characters: 推 (tuī), meaning 'to push,' and 销 (xiāo), meaning 'to sell' or 'to melt/dissolve.' Together, they perfectly encapsulate the proactive, assertive nature of sales—literally 'pushing' a product into the market until it 'melts' into the hands of consumers. This word is not merely about the passive exchange of money for goods; it implies an active effort to persuade, demonstrate value, and overcome resistance. You will encounter this word in a vast array of scenarios, from the formal boardroom where a marketing executive discusses global strategies, to the bustling street markets of Shanghai where vendors loudly promote their wares, and even in personal development contexts where individuals must 'market themselves' for a job or a promotion.

Commercial Context: In business, 推销 refers to the specific activities designed to increase sales volume through direct communication, advertising, and persuasion techniques. It is often associated with the role of a 推销员 (salesperson).

这家公司正在大力推销他们的新型电动汽车，希望能占领市场。(This company is vigorously promoting their new electric vehicle, hoping to capture the market.)

Beyond the literal sale of physical products, 推销 has a significant metaphorical application. In modern Chinese society, the concept of 自我推销 (zìwǒ tuīxiāo), or self-promotion, is increasingly emphasized. This reflects a shift from traditional values of extreme modesty to a more modern, competitive approach to career advancement. When a candidate highlights their skills during an interview, they are 推销 themselves. When a politician presents their platform to voters, they are 推销 their ideas. However, it is important to note that 推销 can sometimes carry a slightly negative nuance if it is perceived as too aggressive or annoying, similar to the English term 'pushy.' Understanding the balance between effective promotion and overbearing solicitation is key to mastering the use of this word.

Psychological Aspect: The '推' (push) in 推销 suggests a psychological movement from the seller toward the buyer. It implies that the buyer might not have initially sought out the product, but the seller's effort makes them realize its value.

不要向不感兴趣的人推销你的观点，那只会引起反感。(Don't push your views on people who aren't interested; it will only cause resentment.)

In summary, 推销 is a dynamic and versatile word. It covers everything from door-to-door sales (上门推销) to sophisticated digital marketing strategies. It describes the energy and strategy behind getting a product or idea from the source to the consumer. Whether you are discussing economic trends, career advice, or daily shopping experiences, 推销 provides a precise way to describe the active effort of convincing others to accept or purchase something. Its usage is pervasive across all levels of formality, though its connotations can shift based on the context and the perceived 'aggressiveness' of the promotion.

Etymological Breakdown: 推 (tuī) = Push; 销 (xiāo) = To sell/consume. The combination implies 'pushing' a product into the flow of consumption.

那个推销员很有礼貌，所以我买了他的产品。(That salesperson was very polite, so I bought his product.)

他通过网络推销自己的手工艺品。(He promotes his handicrafts through the internet.)

学会在面试中推销自己是非常重要的技能。(Learning to promote yourself in an interview is a very important skill.)

Using 推销 (tuīxiāo) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structures and the typical particles or prepositions that accompany it. The most common structure is 推销 + [Object], where the object is the product, service, or idea being promoted. For example, '推销产品' (promote a product) or '推销计划' (promote a plan). However, when you want to specify to whom the item is being promoted, you use the preposition 向 (xiàng) or 给 (gěi). The structure becomes [Subject] + 向/给 + [Target] + 推销 + [Object]. This is the standard way to describe a sales interaction.

Standard Structure: Subject + 向 + Target + 推销 + Product. Example: 他向我推销保险。(He promoted insurance to me.)

推销员在街上向路人推销化妆品。(The salesperson is promoting cosmetics to passersby on the street.)

Another important aspect is the use of adverbs to modify the intensity or method of the promotion. Common adverbs include 大力 (dàlì - vigorously), 四处 (sìchù - everywhere), 强力 (qiánglì - forcefully), and 上门 (shàngmén - door-to-door). For instance, '大力推销' implies a major marketing campaign or a very enthusiastic effort. '上门推销' is a specific term for door-to-door sales, which is a common phrase in both formal and informal Chinese. Furthermore, 推销 can be modified by result complements like 出去 (chūqù - out), as in '把货推销出去' (to successfully sell/push the goods out), indicating the completion of the sales goal.

Resultative Usage: Using '推销' with '成功' (successfully) or '不出去' (unable to push out) clarifies the outcome of the effort.

尽管他很努力，但这些过时的衣服还是推销不出去。(Despite his hard work, he still couldn't push these outdated clothes out.)

When 推销 is used as a noun, it often appears in compound words or as the object of a sentence. For example, 推销技巧 (tuīxiāo jìqiǎo - sales skills), 推销手段 (tuīxiāo shǒuduàn - sales tactics), and 推销热潮 (tuīxiāo rècháo - promotion craze). In these cases, it functions to categorize the type of activity being discussed. For example, '他的推销技巧非常高明' (His sales skills are very clever). Understanding that 推销 can transition between these roles allows for more flexible and natural expression in both business reports and casual conversations about shopping or work.

Noun Compounds: 推销策略 (Marketing strategy), 推销网络 (Sales network), 推销员 (Salesperson).

他正在学习如何改进他的推销策略。(He is learning how to improve his marketing strategy.)

我们不应该盲目地向别人推销自己的价值观。(We should not blindly push our own values onto others.)

这种新产品的推销工作主要由市场部负责。(The promotion work for this new product is mainly handled by the marketing department.)

In the real world, 推销 (tuīxiāo) is a word you will hear frequently in commercial hubs, office environments, and even in your own home. One of the most common everyday occurrences is the 推销电话 (tuīxiāo diànhuà), or telemarketing call. Most people in China are familiar with receiving calls from unknown numbers where a salesperson tries to 推销 anything from financial services and insurance to gym memberships and English courses. In this context, the word often has a neutral to slightly negative connotation, as these calls can be intrusive. You might hear someone say, '我又接到了一个推销保险的电话' (I received another call promoting insurance), expressing a hint of annoyance common in modern urban life.

Daily Life: Commonly heard in the context of '推销员' (salespeople) knocking on doors or calling phones.

门口贴着“拒绝推销”的标志。(A 'No Soliciting' sign is posted on the door.)

In the professional world, 推销 is used much more positively. In corporate meetings, managers discuss 推销计划 (tuīxiāo jìhuà - sales plans) and 推销渠道 (tuīxiāo qúdào - sales channels). Here, it is a technical term for the strategic effort to move product. You'll hear it in business news when discussing how a Chinese tech giant is 向海外市场推销 (promoting to overseas markets) its latest 5G technology or smartphone models. In these high-stakes environments, 推销 is synonymous with growth, expansion, and competitive success. It reflects the proactive 'go-getter' attitude that has fueled much of China's economic development over the last few decades.

TV and Media: Infomercials (电视推销) and live-stream selling (直播推销) are massive industries in China.

直播带货是现在最流行的推销方式之一。(Live-stream selling is one of the most popular promotion methods now.)

Finally, you will hear 推销 in educational and self-improvement settings. Teachers and career coaches often talk about 自我推销 (zìwǒ tuīxiāo). In a society that is becoming increasingly individualistic and competitive, the ability to 'sell oneself' is seen as a vital life skill. You might hear a mentor tell a student, '你要学会向面试官推销你的优势' (You need to learn how to promote your strengths to the interviewer). This usage highlights the word's evolution from a simple commercial term to a broader concept of personal branding and persuasion. Whether it's a product, a service, or a person, 推销 is the word used to describe the bridge between having value and making others recognize that value.

Self-Promotion: The phrase '自我推销' is standard for 'self-marketing' or 'selling oneself'.

在职场中，适度的自我推销是必要的。(In the workplace, moderate self-promotion is necessary.)

他那种强力推销的方式让人感到很不舒服。(His hard-sell promotion style makes people feel very uncomfortable.)

很多年轻人通过社交媒体推销自己的创意作品。(Many young people promote their creative works through social media.)

One of the most common mistakes learners make with 推销 (tuīxiāo) is confusing it with 销售 (xiāoshòu). While both relate to selling, they have distinct nuances. 销售 is a broader, more neutral term that refers to the general act of selling or the sales volume/department. For example, '销售额' (sales volume) is correct, but '推销额' is rarely used. 推销, on the other hand, specifically emphasizes the active promotion or 'pushing' of a product. If you are describing the department in a company, use 销售部; if you are describing the guy knocking on doors to sell vacuum cleaners, 推销员 is the more accurate term. Using 推销 when you mean the general economic activity of selling can sound slightly odd or imply an aggressive sales tactic where one isn't present.

Confusing 推销 and 销售: 推销 (Active promotion) vs. 销售 (General selling/Sales department). Example: '公司销售很好' (Company sales are good) vs. '他在推销新产品' (He is promoting a new product).

Incorrect: 我们的推销部在这个月表现出色。 Correct: 我们的销售部在这个月表现出色。(Our sales department performed excellently this month.)

Another frequent error involves the prepositional structure. Learners often forget to use 向 (xiàng) or 给 (gěi) when specifying the recipient. In English, we say 'promote something to someone,' but in Chinese, the 'to someone' part usually comes before the verb. Saying '推销产品我' is grammatically incorrect. It must be '向我推销产品.' Furthermore, some learners use 推销 for simple retail transactions. If you go to a convenience store to buy a bottle of water, the clerk is 卖 (mài - selling) you the water, not 推销-ing it to you, unless they are specifically trying to convince you to buy a larger size or a different brand. Using 推销 for every mundane sale makes it sound like every shopkeeper is a high-pressure salesperson.

Preposition Placement: Always place the target (向/给 + Person) before the verb '推销'.

Incorrect: 他推销我保险。 Correct: 他向我推销保险。(He promoted insurance to me.)

Lastly, be aware of the register. While 推销 is perfectly fine in business, using it in very intimate or emotional contexts can sound cold or manipulative. If you are trying to convince your friend to go to a movie with you, using 推销 might suggest you are treating the friendship like a business transaction. Words like 推荐 (tuījiàn - recommend) or 建议 (jiànyì - suggest) are much more appropriate for social recommendations. Misusing 推销 in these cases can inadvertently give the impression that you have a hidden motive or are being overly transactional in your personal relationships. Always consider if there is a 'product' involved; if it's just a friendly suggestion, 推销 is likely the wrong choice.

Contextual Register: Use '推荐' (recommend) for friends and '推销' (promote/market) for business or formal persuasion.

Incorrect: 我想向你推销这部电影。 Correct: 我想向你推荐这部电影。(I want to recommend this movie to you.)

他在面试中过度推销自己，反而让面试官反感。(He over-marketed himself in the interview, which actually annoyed the interviewer.)

请不要在私人聚会上推销你的产品。(Please don't promote your products at private gatherings.)

To truly master Chinese, you must understand how 推销 (tuīxiāo) fits into a cluster of related terms. The most important distinction to make is between 推销, 营销 (yíngxiāo), and 推广 (tuīguǎng). While they all fall under the umbrella of 'marketing' in English, they serve different functions in Chinese. 营销 is the academic and professional term for 'marketing' as a whole—encompassing market research, branding, pricing, and distribution. It is a strategic, high-level concept. 推销 is more specific, referring to the tactical act of persuading people to buy. 推广 means 'to spread' or 'to popularize,' and is used for things like promoting a new technology, a lifestyle, or a language (e.g., 推广普通话 - promoting Mandarin). Unlike 推销, 推广 doesn't necessarily involve a direct sale; it's about increasing awareness and adoption.

推销 vs. 营销: 推销: Tactical, direct sales/promotion. 营销: Strategic, comprehensive marketing.

公司的营销策略非常成功，但具体的推销工作还需要加强。(The company's marketing strategy is very successful, but the specific promotion work still needs strengthening.)

Another set of similar words includes 促销 (cùxiāo) and 宣传 (xuānchuán). 促销 is short for '促进销售' (promote sales) and specifically refers to sales promotions like discounts, 'buy one get one free' deals, or seasonal sales. You will see 促销 signs in every mall during holidays. 宣传 means 'to publicize' or 'to propagate.' It is used for advertising campaigns, political propaganda, or spreading information. While 推销 focuses on the transaction, 宣传 focuses on the message. For example, a movie company will 宣传 a new film to get people interested, but a theater might 促销 tickets to fill seats. Understanding these subtle differences allows you to choose the word that precisely matches the commercial activity you are describing.

推销 vs. 推广: 推销: Focus on selling a product. 推广: Focus on popularizing an idea or system.

政府正在大力推广垃圾分类，而不是推销垃圾桶。(The government is vigorously promoting trash sorting, not marketing trash cans.)

Finally, consider 推荐 (tuījiàn), which we touched on earlier. This is the most 'friendly' alternative. If you love a book and want your friend to read it, you 推荐 it. If you are a salesperson trying to hit a quota, you 推销 it. The difference is the motive. 推荐 implies a belief in the quality and a desire to help the other person, whereas 推销 implies a desire to complete a transaction. In professional settings, you might '推荐' a candidate for a job, which sounds objective and helpful. If you '推销' a candidate, it might sound like you are biased or trying too hard to get them hired. Choosing between these words is a lesson in social intelligence as much as it is in linguistics.

Summary Table: 推销: Promote/Sell (Active). 营销: Marketing (Strategic). 推广: Popularize (Broad). 推荐: Recommend (Helpful). 宣传: Publicize (Informative).

与其生硬地推销，不如真诚地推荐。(Instead of pushy promotion, it's better to give a sincere recommendation.)

商场正在进行年终促销活动。(The mall is holding a year-end sales promotion event.)

这部电影的宣传海报到处都是。(The promotional posters for this movie are everywhere.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The '销' in 推销 is the same character used in '销魂' (xiāohún), which means soul-stirring or ecstatic—literally 'melting the soul.' It shows the power of 'melting' or 'consuming' in Chinese thought.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tweɪ sjaʊ/

US /tweɪ ʃjaʊ/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'tuī', which has a high level tone (Tone 1). The second syllable 'xiāo' also has a high level tone (Tone 1).

Rhymes With

杯 (bēi) 飞 (fēi) 堆 (duī) 交 (jiāo) 包 (bāo) 猫 (māo) 高 (gāo) 刀 (dāo)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'tuī' as 'tuì' (4th tone), which changes the meaning to 'retreat'.
Pronouncing 'xiāo' as 'xiǎo' (3rd tone), which can sound like 'small'.
Confusing the 'x' sound in 'xiāo' with a hard 's' sound.
Not giving both syllables equal high-level tone length.
Slurring the 'i' in 'xiao', making it sound like 'shao'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are common but the '销' character has several components to remember.

Writing 4/5

Writing '销' (xiāo) requires attention to the metal radical and the right-hand side structure.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is relatively straightforward with two first tones.

Listening 3/5

Can sometimes be confused with '销售' or '推荐' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

卖 (mài) 买 (mǎi) 推 (tuī) 员 (yuán) 向 (xiàng)

Learn Next

营销 (yíngxiāo) 渠道 (qúdào) 策略 (cèlüè) 品牌 (pǐnpái) 利润 (lìrùn)

Advanced

垄断 (lǒngduàn) 倾销 (qīngxiāo) 滞销 (zhìxiāo) 畅销 (chàngxiāo)

Grammar to Know

The '向' (xiàng) Preposition

他向我推销保险。(He promoted insurance to me.)

The '把' (bǎ) Construction for Result

他把产品推销出去了。(He pushed the product out/sold it.)

Adverbial Modification with '地' (de)

他成功地推销了产品。(He successfully promoted the product.)

Noun Modification with '的' (de)

推销的技巧很重要。(The skills of promotion are important.)

Resultative Complements (V+出去/不动)

货卖不动/货推销不出去。(The goods won't sell.)

Examples by Level

他是推销员。

He is a salesperson.

Simple Subject + Verb + Noun structure.

他在推销书。

He is promoting books.

'在' indicates an ongoing action.

我不喜欢推销。

I don't like promotion/selling.

Using '推销' as a noun/activity.

推销员很有礼貌。

The salesperson is very polite.

Adjective '很有礼貌' describes the noun '推销员'.

他在推销新玩具。

He is promoting a new toy.

Standard Verb + Object structure.

这里有很多推销员。

There are many salespeople here.

'这里有' indicates existence.

他在向我推销。

He is promoting to me.

'向...推销' is the standard prepositional phrase.

推销工作很辛苦。

Promotion work is very hard.

'推销' acts as a modifier for '工作'.

他向我推销了一款新手机。

He promoted a new phone to me.

Use of '了' to indicate completed action.

我不喜欢上门推销的人。

I don't like door-to-door salespeople.

'上门推销' is a common compound noun phrase.

你要学会推销自己。

You need to learn to promote yourself.

'推销自己' means self-promotion.

他们在电视上推销减肥药。

They are promoting weight loss pills on TV.

'在电视上' indicates the location of the action.

这个推销员口才很好。

This salesperson is very eloquent.

'口才很好' is a common way to describe a good salesperson.

他想把这台电脑推销给我。

He wants to push this computer to me.

Using '把' construction to focus on the object.

这种推销方式很有效。

This promotion method is very effective.

'推销方式' means promotion method.

他在街上推销化妆品。

He is promoting cosmetics on the street.

Standard location + verb + object.

公司正大力推销其最新的环保产品。

The company is vigorously promoting its latest eco-friendly products.

'大力' is an adverb meaning 'vigorously'.

他通过网络成功地推销了自己的手工艺品。

He successfully promoted his handicrafts through the internet.

'通过...成功地' indicates the method and result.

推销技巧对一个销售人员来说至关重要。

Sales skills are crucial for a salesperson.

'至关重要' is a formal way to say 'crucial'.

他不喜欢那种强力推销的手段。

He doesn't like those hard-sell tactics.

'强力推销' refers to high-pressure sales.

我们在向海外市场推销中国丝绸。

We are promoting Chinese silk to overseas markets.

'向...推销' used in a global business context.

这种过时的产品很难推销出去。

It's hard to push out this outdated product.

'推销出去' is a resultative verb phrase.

他正在制定下一季度的推销计划。

He is formulating the promotion plan for the next quarter.

'推销计划' is a formal business term.

推销员必须了解客户的需求。

A salesperson must understand the customer's needs.

Modal verb '必须' indicates necessity.

尽管产品质量很好，但如果推销不当，也很难成功。

Even if the product quality is good, it's hard to succeed if promotion is improper.

'...不当' means 'improper ...'.

他不仅在推销产品，还在推销一种生活方式。

He is not only promoting a product but also a lifestyle.

'不仅...还...' structure for adding information.

面试时，适度的自我推销能给面试官留下深刻印象。

During an interview, moderate self-promotion can leave a deep impression on the interviewer.

'给...留下印象' is a standard collocation.

这家企业通过赞助体育赛事来推销其品牌。

This enterprise promotes its brand by sponsoring sports events.

'通过...来...' indicates the means and the purpose.

推销过程中，建立信任比展示功能更重要。

In the promotion process, building trust is more important than showing features.

Comparative structure 'A比B更重要'.

他试图向董事会推销他那大胆的改革方案。

He tried to push his bold reform proposal to the board of directors.

'试图' means 'to attempt'.

网络红人通过直播推销商品，已经成为一种新趋势。

Influencers promoting goods through live-streaming has become a new trend.

'成为一种新趋势' describes a social phenomenon.

不要把你的观点强行推销给别人。

Don't forcibly push your views onto others.

'强行' is an adverb meaning 'forcibly'.

在全球化背景下，文化推销已成为提升国家软实力的重要手段。

In the context of globalization, cultural promotion has become an important means of enhancing a nation's soft power.

Formal academic/political register.

该公司的推销策略从传统的硬性推销转向了内容营销。

The company's promotion strategy shifted from traditional hard-selling to content marketing.

'从...转向...' indicates a fundamental change.

他精通心理学，总能巧妙地将产品推销给最挑剔的客户。

He is proficient in psychology and can always skillfully push products to the most discerning customers.

'精通' and '巧妙地' indicate high skill levels.

推销不仅仅是卖东西，更是一场关于认知和价值的博弈。

Promotion is not just about selling things; it's a game of perception and value.

'不仅仅是...更是...' emphasizes the latter point.

这种过度的推销行为反而损害了品牌的长期声誉。

This excessive promotion actually damaged the brand's long-term reputation.

'反而' indicates an outcome contrary to expectations.

在学术界，推销自己的研究成果也是一种必要的社交能力。

In academia, promoting one's research results is also a necessary social skill.

'也是一种...' adds an additional perspective.

他那富有感染力的演讲实际上是在推销他的政治理念。

His infectious speech was actually promoting his political ideology.

'实际上是在' reveals the true nature of an action.

推销渠道的多元化是现代企业生存的关键。

The diversification of promotion channels is key to the survival of modern enterprises.

Noun phrase '推销渠道的多元化' as the subject.

他以一种近乎艺术的方式，将那套乏味的理论推销给了在场的每一位听众。

In a manner bordering on art, he promoted that tedious theory to every member of the audience.

Highly descriptive and nuanced sentence structure.

在消费主义盛行的今天，推销已渗透进我们生活的每一个角落。

In today's era of rampant consumerism, promotion has permeated every corner of our lives.

'渗透进...每一个角落' is a sophisticated metaphor.

这种推销手段虽然短期见效，但无异于饮鸩止渴。

Although this promotion tactic works in the short term, it is tantamount to drinking poison to quench thirst.

Use of the idiom '饮鸩止渴' (yǐn zhèn zhǐ kě).

他那深厚的文学功底使他在推销文案的创作上游刃有余。

His profound literary foundation allows him to handle the creation of promotional copy with ease.

Use of the idiom '游刃有余' (yóu rèn yǒu yú).

推销的极致是不露痕迹，让客户觉得购买是出于自己的意愿。

The pinnacle of promotion is to be imperceptible, making the customer feel that the purchase is of their own volition.

'不露痕迹' (bú lù hén jì) means without a trace.

他试图向历史推销一个被美化了的自己，但这终究是徒劳的。

He tried to market a glorified version of himself to history, but it was ultimately in vain.

'终究是徒劳的' is a very formal way to say 'ultimately useless'.

在复杂的国际博弈中，推销本国的价值观是一项极具挑战性的外交任务。

In complex international maneuvers, promoting one's national values is a highly challenging diplomatic task.

Complex subject and predicate structure.

这种推销策略的背后，隐藏着对市场趋势的深刻洞察。

Behind this promotion strategy lies a profound insight into market trends.

'...的背后，隐藏着...' is a sophisticated narrative structure.

Common Collocations

推销员

推销策略

推销技巧

推销产品

上门推销

自我推销

强力推销

推销渠道

推销网络

推销电话

Common Phrases

大力推销

— To promote vigorously. Used for major marketing efforts.

政府在大力推销这种新型建材。

四处推销

— To promote everywhere. Implies a wide-reaching effort.

他带着样品四处推销。

推销不出去

— Unable to sell or promote successfully. Indicates failure to find buyers.

这种旧型号的手机已经推销不输去了。

向...推销

— To promote to someone. The standard grammatical structure.

他向经理推销他的新想法。

推销手段

— Sales tactics or promotion methods. Can be neutral or slightly negative.

这只是商家的推销手段而已。

推销热潮

— A craze or surge in promotion. Used for popular trends.

市场上出现了一股推销智能家居的热潮。

推销活动

— Promotional activities. General term for sales events.

周末商场有很多推销活动。

拒绝推销

— To refuse promotion or soliciting. Often seen on signs.

很多办公室门上写着“拒绝推销”。

推销成功

— To successfully promote or sell something.

他终于把那台旧机器推销成功了。

推销重点

— The main selling point or focus of a promotion.

我们要明确这次产品的推销重点。

Often Confused With

推销 vs 销售

销售 is the general act of selling; 推销 is the active promotion/pushing.

推销 vs 促销

促销 specifically refers to sales events and discounts.

推销 vs 推荐

推荐 is a friendly recommendation; 推销 is a commercial promotion.

Idioms & Expressions

"王婆卖瓜，自卖自夸"

— Like Wang Po selling melons—praising her own goods. Used to describe someone who over-promotes themselves or their own products.

他在会上不停地夸自己的项目，真是王婆卖瓜，自卖自夸。

Informal/Idiomatic

"强买强卖"

— To force a sale or purchase. Related to the aggressive end of '推销'.

现在的市场监管很严，不允许强买强卖。

Legal/Formal

"货真价实"

— Genuine goods at a fair price. The ideal goal of honest '推销'.

我们的产品货真价实，不需要过度推销。

General

"推而广之"

— To extend or generalize. Uses the '推' from '推销' in a logical sense.

这种方法在其他领域也可以推而广之。

Formal/Literary

"销声匿迹"

— To disappear from the scene. Uses the '销' character in the sense of 'dissolve/disappear'.

那个曾经火爆的品牌现在已经销声匿迹了。

Literary

"口若悬河"

— To speak like a waterfall. Often used to describe a very eloquent '推销员'.

那个推销员口若悬河，说得我心动了。

Literary

"华而不实"

— Flashy but without substance. Often a criticism of bad '推销'.

有些推销广告华而不实，消费者要小心。

Formal

"自吹自擂"

— To blow one's own trumpet. Similar to '自我推销' but negative.

他总是自吹自擂，让人觉得不靠谱。

Informal

"先入为主"

— First impressions are strongest. A key concept in '推销' psychology.

推销的第一步是给客户留下好的第一印象，不要让他们先入为主。

General

"投其所好"

— To cater to someone's tastes. A common '推销' tactic.

优秀的推销员懂得投其所好，满足客户的真实需求。

General

Easily Confused

推销 vs 销售 (xiāoshòu)

Both mean 'sell' or 'sales'.

销售 is a broad term for the department or the general act of selling. 推销 is the specific, active effort to persuade a customer.

他在销售部工作，负责推销新产品。(He works in the sales department, responsible for promoting new products.)

推销 vs 推广 (tuīguǎng)

Both involve 'pushing' (推) something.

推广 is about popularizing or expanding the use of something (like a language or tech). 推销 is about selling a specific product for profit.

我们在推广普通话，不是在推销书。(We are promoting Mandarin, not marketing books.)

推销 vs 宣传 (xuānchuán)

Both involve spreading information.

宣传 is about publicity and awareness. 推销 is focused on the actual sales transaction.

这部电影宣传得很好，但推销周边产品却很难。(The movie was publicized well, but promoting merchandise is hard.)

推销 vs 推荐 (tuījiàn)

Both involve suggesting something to someone.

推荐 is based on quality and is usually neutral or helpful. 推销 is commercial and focuses on the seller's benefit.

我向你推荐这家餐厅，但我不是在帮他们推销。(I recommend this restaurant, but I'm not promoting for them.)

推销 vs 促销 (cùxiāo)

Both involve 'selling' (销).

促销 is specifically about 'sales' (discounts, deals). 推销 is the general act of promoting the product's value.

通过推销员的努力和商场的促销活动，销量大增。(Through the salesperson's effort and the mall's sales promotion, volume increased.)

Sentence Patterns

向 [人] 推销 [物]

他向我推销新产品。

[人] 是个推销员

我的哥哥是个推销员。

大力推销 [物]

公司正在大力推销这款手机。

把 [物] 推销出去

他终于把旧车推销出去了。

学会自我推销

在面试中，你要学会自我推销。

[物] 的推销策略

这种产品的推销策略很特别。

推销 [理念/价值观]

他在推销他的政治理念。

推销之极致在于...

推销的极致在于让客户感到自然。

Word Family

Nouns

推销员 (Salesperson)

推销额 (Sales volume - rare, usually 销售额)

推销术 (Salesmanship/Sales technique)

Verbs

推 (To push/promote)

销 (To sell/consume/melt)

销售 (To sell)

Adjectives

推销性的 (Promotional)

畅销的 (Best-selling)

推广 (Popularize)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in business, marketing, and discussions about annoying sales calls.

Common Mistakes

Using '推销' for simple retail sales. → 使用 '卖' (mài).
If a clerk just scans your item, they are '卖' (selling), not '推销' (promoting). '推销' requires persuasion.
Saying '推销我一个产品'. → 向我推销一个产品。
In Chinese, you must use a preposition like '向' to indicate the person being promoted to.
Using '推销额' for total sales volume. → 销售额 (xiāoshòu é).
'销售额' is the standard economic term for sales volume. '推销' focuses on the act, not the total amount.
Confusing '推销' with '推广' in social contexts. → 推广 (tuīguǎng).
If you are spreading an idea or a new habit (like recycling), use '推广'. Use '推销' for commercial products.
Using '推销' when you mean 'recommend' to a friend. → 推荐 (tuījiàn).
'推销' sounds too commercial and can make you sound like you have a hidden motive with your friends.

Tips

Use the right preposition

Always use '向' (xiàng) or '给' (gěi) when you want to say 'promote TO someone.' The person receiving the promotion comes before the verb.

Professional vs. Personal

Use '推销' in business meetings. Use '推荐' (recommend) when talking to friends about things you like.

Distinguish from 销售

Remember that '销售' is the department or the general result, while '推销' is the active work of the salesperson.

Self-Promotion

Don't be afraid to use '自我推销' in a positive way when discussing career growth in modern China.

High Tones

Keep both syllables high and flat (Tone 1). Dropping the tone on 'tuī' can change the meaning entirely.

Character Components

The '销' character has the 'metal' radical (钅), which reminds you it's about money and commerce.

Result Complements

Add '出去' (out) after '推销' to indicate that the sale was successful.

Wang Po's Melons

Learn the idiom '王婆卖瓜' to describe someone who over-promotes themselves.

Modern Alternatives

Be aware of the slang '安利' (Amway) used by young people for enthusiastic recommendations.

Target Audience

When using '推销', always identify the 'target' (客户/听众) to make your sentence complete.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a salesperson 'pushing' (推) a product until it 'melts' (销) away from the shelf and into the customer's bag. Push to Sell = 推销.

Visual Association

Imagine a man in a sharp suit pushing a giant golden coin (representing sales) up a hill toward a customer's house.

Word Web

产品 (Product) 客户 (Client) 市场 (Market) 技巧 (Skill) 员 (Person) 策略 (Strategy) 成功 (Success) 拒绝 (Refuse)

Challenge

Try to use '推销' in three different contexts today: once about a job, once about a product, and once about an idea.

Word Origin

The term 推销 originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as China began to modernize its commercial language. It combines the ancient character '推' (to push/advance) with '销' (to melt/sell).

Original meaning: The original meaning of '销' was to melt metal, which later evolved into 'to eliminate' and then 'to sell' (to make goods disappear into the market). '推' has always meant to push or propel forward.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use '推销' when you mean 'give' or 'recommend' to a friend, as it can sound like you are trying to profit from them.

In English-speaking cultures, 'marketing' is often seen as a broad professional field, while 'sales' can sometimes have a 'pushy' stereotype. '推销' captures both the professional promotion and the 'pushy' aspect.

Death of a Salesman (推销员之死) - Arthur Miller's play is well-known in China by this title. The Wolf of Wall Street - Often discussed in Chinese business circles regarding '推销术'. Li Jiaqi (Austin Li) - A famous Chinese live-streamer known as the 'Lipstick King' of 推销.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Interview

自我推销
展示优势
推销个人品牌
推销经验

Retail/Sales

推销产品
推销技巧
上门推销
推销员

Corporate Meeting

推销策略
推销计划
推销渠道
大力推销

Daily Annoyances

推销电话
垃圾推销
强力推销
拒绝推销

Digital Marketing

网络推销
直播推销
推销文案
社交媒体推销

Conversation Starters

"你觉得在面试中自我推销重要吗？ (Do you think self-promotion is important in an interview?)"

"你最近接过讨厌的推销电话吗？ (Have you received any annoying telemarketing calls lately?)"

"你认为最好的推销技巧是什么？ (What do you think is the best promotion technique?)"

"你会向朋友推销你喜欢的电子产品吗？ (Would you promote your favorite electronic products to your friends?)"

"你觉得直播推销这种方式怎么样？ (What do you think about live-stream selling?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你成功向别人推销一个想法或产品的经历。 (Describe a time you successfully promoted an idea or product to someone.)

如果你是一名推销员，你会选择推销什么产品？为什么？ (If you were a salesperson, what product would you choose to promote? Why?)

讨论一下强力推销（hard sell）的利与弊。 (Discuss the pros and cons of hard-selling.)

在你的文化中，人们是如何看待自我推销的？ (How is self-promotion viewed in your culture?)

分析一个你认为非常成功的推销案例。 (Analyze a promotion case that you think was very successful.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '推销' is not inherently negative. In a business context, it is a neutral, professional term for sales promotion. However, in personal life, it can imply being 'pushy' or 'annoying' if someone is trying to sell you something you don't want. Context and tone are key.

They are often used interchangeably, but '推销员' (tuīxiāoyuán) specifically emphasizes the act of promoting and persuading, often associated with door-to-door or direct sales. '销售员' (xiāoshòuyuán) is a more general term for anyone working in sales.

Yes, '推销' is frequently used metaphorically for promoting ideas, plans, or values. For example, '向大众推销他的政治主张' (to promote his political views to the public). It implies an effort to persuade others to accept the idea.

The standard term is '自我推销' (zìwǒ tuīxiāo). It is commonly used in discussions about job interviews and career development.

Not necessarily. '推销' is about the act of promoting. If you want to specifically talk about discounts or special deals, the word '促销' (cùxiāo) is more appropriate.

It means 'door-to-door sales.' '上门' means 'to come to the door,' and '推销' is the sale. It's a common phrase in China.

Yes, it can function as a noun meaning 'promotion' or 'salesmanship,' such as in '推销技巧' (promotion skills).

Yes, you can say '网络推销' (online promotion) or '直播推销' (live-stream promotion).

There isn't one direct opposite, but '采购' (procurement/buying) or '抵制' (boycott) are often used in contrasting contexts.

Use the pattern: '把 [Product] 推销给 [Person]'. For example: '他把那本书推销给了我' (He pushed that book to me/sold it to me).