紹介 and 招待: introductions and invitations
Distinguish introducing people or information from inviting someone as a guest.
Connecting people and information
紹介 is read しょうかい and means introducing a person or presenting information about something. 「友達を家族に紹介しました」 means that the speaker introduced a friend to their family.
「おすすめの本を紹介してください」 asks for an introduction to a recommended book. 紹介 is not limited to people; it can also present books, shops, or methods.
Inviting someone as a guest
招待 is read しょうたい and means inviting someone to an event or home as a guest. 「友達を家に招待しました」 means that the speaker invited a friend to their home.
「招待してくれてありがとう」 thanks someone for the invitation. Receiving an invitation and actually attending are separate facts.
Who is connected to whom or where
In 「友達を先生に紹介しました」, 先生に is the person receiving the introduction. In 「友達をパーティーに招待しました」, パーティーに is the event the friend is invited to.
「招待した友達を家族に紹介しました」 says that the speaker introduced the friend they had invited to their family. Swapping the actions changes the relationship between the guest and the people receiving the introduction.
Does 「会社を紹介しました」 mean that someone was invited to join the company?
Show the answer and why
No. It can mean that the speaker presented information about the company; it does not establish employment or an invitation. Context determines the specific scope of 紹介.