绍述 (shào shù) is a formal literary verb meaning 'to carry on' or 'to continue and transmit'—especially a tradition, teaching, legacy, or doctrine passed down from ancestors or esteemed predecessors. The character 绍 (shào) means 'to introduce,' 'to continue,' or 'to succeed'; 述 (shù) means 'to state,' 'to recount,' or 'to expound.' Together, they convey the active, respectful act of not only preserving but also articulating and advancing inherited wisdom or values.

This term appears frequently in classical Chinese texts, historical discourse, and official rhetoric—for example, when describing how Confucian scholars 'carry on the teachings of Confucius' or how modern institutions 'continue the founding principles.' It carries a tone of reverence, responsibility, and continuity, and is rarely used in casual speech. It often pairs with abstract nouns like 遗志 (yízhì, 'last wishes'), 学说 (xuéshuō, 'doctrine'), or 传统 (chuántǒng, 'tradition').