Translation guide
How to express 'recommendation' in Japanese, from suggesting things to formal letters of reference.
You want to recommend a thing, activity, or course of action to someone.
A polite and common way to say 'I recommend ~'. The 〜 is replaced by the thing you recommend.
このレストランをおすすめします。
I recommend this restaurant.
I recommend booking early.
Noun meaning 'recommendation'. Often used in shops or when asking for suggestions.
おすすめは何ですか？
What do you recommend?
これが今日のおすすめです。
This is today's recommendation.
Verb meaning 'to recommend' or 'to offer'. Can be used for suggesting things or encouraging someone to do something.
友達にこの映画を勧めた。
I recommended this movie to my friend.
Means 'you should ~' or 'it's better to ~'. A casual way to give a recommendation or advice.
早く行ったほうがいいよ。
You should go early.
A formal document recommending a person for a job, school, etc.
A letter of recommendation. The standard term for a formal reference letter.
推薦状を書いていただけますか？
Could you write a letter of recommendation for me?
Also means a letter of recommendation, slightly more formal or document-like than 推薦状.
大学に推薦書を提出した。
I submitted a letter of recommendation to the university.
Formally putting someone forward for a position, award, or selection.
Noun meaning 'recommendation' in an official or formal context, like a nomination.
彼を会長に推薦します。
I recommend him for chairman.
Giving a piece of advice or a suggestion, not necessarily a strong recommendation.
Loanword from English, widely used for 'advice' or 'suggestion'.
何かアドバイスはありますか？
Do you have any advice?
Formal word for 'advice' or 'counsel'.
勧める (susumeru) is a general verb for recommending something to someone, often in daily conversation. 推薦する (suisen suru) is more formal and used for official recommendations, like nominating someone or writing a reference letter.
友達にこの本を勧めた。
I recommended this book to my friend.
彼を奨学金に推薦した。
I recommended him for the scholarship.
勧める (recommend) and 進める (advance, proceed) are both read すすめる but have different kanji and meanings. Context usually makes it clear, but be careful in writing.
推薦状が必要です。
I need a letter of recommendation.
I sought expert advice.