Translation guide
How to express recommending something or someone in Japanese, from casual suggestions to formal endorsements.
Casually or politely suggesting that someone try, use, or do something.
A common way to make a suggestion: 'How about doing ~?' or 'Why don't you ~?'. Attach to the past tense plain form of a verb.
この本を読んだらどうですか。
Why don't you read this book?
少し休んだらどうですか。
How about taking a break?
Officially endorsing someone for a job, or recommending a product/service in a formal context.
Formal verb for 'recommend', often used for recommending people for positions, schools, or awards.
彼を部長に推薦します。
I recommend him for the department manager position.
Advising someone not to do something.
Common way to say 'You shouldn't ~' or 'It's better not to ~'. Attach to the plain negative form of a verb.
タバコは吸わないほうがいいですよ。
You shouldn't smoke.
勧める (susumeru) is the general verb for recommending something to someone. 推薦する (suisen suru) is formal and often used for recommending people. 推奨する (suishō suru) is formal and used for recommending things like products or methods.
友達にこの映画を勧めた。
I recommended this movie to my friend.
教授が私を推薦してくれた。
The professor recommended me.
この本をおすすめします。
I recommend this book.
いいレストランをおすすめしてもらえますか。
Can you recommend a good restaurant?
それはおすすめできません。
I wouldn't recommend it.
Soft suggestion: 'I think it would be good if you ~'. Use the conditional ば form of the verb.
早く行けばいいと思います。
I think you should go early.
Noun meaning 'recommendation'. Often used in the phrase おすすめです (I recommend it). Very common in shops and casual conversation.
これはおすすめです。
I recommend this one.
おすすめの料理は何ですか。
What do you recommend? (lit. What is the recommended dish?)
Verb meaning 'to recommend' or 'to offer'. Can be used for recommending things or actions.
友達にこのレストランを勧められた。
My friend recommended this restaurant to me.
Formal verb for 'recommend', often used for products, methods, or policies by organizations.
このソフトウェアの使用を推奨します。
We recommend using this software.
The government recommends wearing masks.
おすすめ is mainly for things (food, products, places). For recommending a person, use 推薦する or rephrase.
The government recommends wearing masks.
おすすめ is mainly for things (food, products, places). For recommending a person, use 推薦する or rephrase.