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Vocabulary
推薦する

B1 verb #3,500 most common 8 min read

推薦する

suisen suru Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 推薦する in 30 Seconds

Explanation 推薦する in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '推薦する' (suisen suru) often, but you might see it in simple signs or apps. Think of it as a very special version of 'like' or 'good.' In English, we say 'I recommend this.' In Japanese, beginners usually use 'osusume' or 'susumeru' for food and movies. 'Suisen suru' is much more serious. Imagine a teacher picking a student for a prize; that is 'suisen.' You can recognize it by the kanji '推' which looks like someone pushing something with their hand. If you see this word, it means someone is saying 'This is the best choice for this job or school.' Don't worry about using it in your own speech yet; just remember it means a 'formal recommendation.' Focus on the fact that it is a 'Suru-verb,' so you can use it like 'suisen shimasu' (I recommend) or 'suisen shimashita' (I recommended).

At the A2 level, you should start to distinguish between 'suisen suru' and 'susumeru.' If you are talking about a friend who is good at something and you want to tell your boss about them, you might use 'suisen suru.' It is used when you are giving a 'stamp of approval' to a person. For example, 'I recommend my friend for the part-time job.' In Japanese, you would say 'Tomodachi wo suisen shimasu.' At this level, you should also recognize the noun form '推薦' (suisen). You will see it on book covers or in school documents. It often appears in the pattern '[Person] wo [Position] ni suisen suru.' This means 'to recommend [Person] for [Position].' It is a useful word for basic business situations or when talking about school applications. Remember, it sounds more professional than 'susumeru,' so use it when you want to sound more like an adult.

As a B1 learner, you should be able to use '推薦する' correctly in professional and academic contexts. This is the level where you learn the nuance of 'endorsing' someone. You should know that 'suisen suru' implies you are taking responsibility for your recommendation. If the person you recommend does a bad job, it reflects on you. This is why it is used for 'Letters of Recommendation' (推薦状 - suisenjou). You should also be comfortable with the passive form '推薦される' (to be recommended). For example, 'I was recommended for this role by my previous boss.' This is a very common way to explain how you got a job or a position in Japan. You should also understand the 'Suisen Nyushi' system, which is how many Japanese students enter university without taking the standard difficult entrance exam, but rather through a teacher's recommendation. Use this word when the context involves evaluation, merit, or official roles.

At the B2 level, you should understand the strategic use of '推薦する' in business and politics. It is not just about saying someone is 'good,' but about the act of nomination and official backing. You will encounter this word in news reports about political candidates being 'recommended' by certain parties or organizations. You should also be able to use it in more complex grammar structures, such as '推薦せざるを得ない' (cannot help but recommend) or '推薦にあたって' (upon recommending). At this level, you should also be able to compare it with '推奨する' (suishou suru), which is used for recommending actions, methods, or technical specifications. For instance, a government might 'suishou' a certain health practice, while a committee 'suisen' a specific person for an award. You should also be familiar with the honorific versions used in formal correspondence, such as 'ご推薦いただき、誠にありがとうございます' (Thank you very much for your recommendation).

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced grasp of '推薦する' and its related compounds in various specialized fields. You should be able to discuss the merits and demerits of 'suisen-based' systems in education and employment. You will notice it in academic papers, legal documents, and high-level corporate strategies. You should also be aware of the historical and cultural weight of the word '推薦.' For example, in the context of the 'Living National Treasures' in Japan, the process of 'suisen' is a rigorous and prestigious act of recognizing mastery. You should be able to use the word in sophisticated rhetorical ways, such as '推薦の辞' (recommendation speech) or when debating the criteria for 'suisen.' At this level, your usage should reflect an understanding of the social hierarchy and the responsibility that comes with 'suisen' in Japanese society. You should also be able to distinguish it from '推挙' (suikyo), which is an even more formal, often historical, term for recommending someone to a superior.

At the C2 level, '推薦する' is a tool for precise communication in the highest levels of professional and academic life. You should be able to navigate the subtle politics of recommendation in Japanese organizations, where a 'suisen' can be a powerful endorsement or a delicate social obligation. You should be comfortable using the word in contexts like international diplomacy, high-level scientific peer reviews, and literary criticism. You should understand the deep etymological roots of the kanji '薦' and how it relates to ancient ritual offerings, which informs the gravitas the word still carries today. Your mastery should include the ability to write formal 'suisenjou' (letters of recommendation) that adhere to all the complex conventions of Japanese business etiquette, including the correct use of keigo and seasonal greetings. You should also be able to critique the 'suisen' process itself, analyzing its impact on social mobility and organizational meritocracy in modern Japan with native-level fluency.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

推薦する in 30 Seconds

A formal verb for recommending people or things for official roles.
Commonly used in job applications, scholarships, and political endorsements.
Stronger and more objective than the casual 'susumeru'.
Often involves a 'suisenjou' (letter of recommendation) and implies personal backing.

The Japanese verb 推薦する (suisen suru) is a formal and semi-formal term used to express the act of recommending, endorsing, or proposing someone or something as being suitable for a specific role, position, or recognition. While English speakers might use the word 'recommend' for everything from a bowl of ramen to a presidential candidate, Japanese distinguishes between the personal suggestion of susumeru (勧める) and the more formal, objective endorsement of suisen suru. When you use 推薦する, you are often putting your own reputation on the line to vouch for the quality or suitability of the object or person in question.

Formal Endorsement: This word is most frequently encountered in academic and professional settings. For instance, a professor might suisen a student for a scholarship, or a manager might suisen an employee for a promotion. It implies a level of official backing.
Objective Suggestion: In media, such as book reviews or 'Editor's Choice' sections, you will see suisen used to indicate that an expert or organization suggests a particular product. It carries more weight than a friend's casual advice.

教授は彼を奨学金の候補者として推薦することに決めた。
(The professor decided to recommend him as a candidate for the scholarship.)

The kanji composition provides deep insight into the word's gravity. The first character, 推 (sui), means to 'push forward' or 'infer,' suggesting an active movement of support. The second character, 薦 (sen), historically refers to a mat or grass offered to guests, evolving to mean 'offering' or 'recommending.' Together, they create a picture of actively 'pushing forward an offering' of a person or idea to a higher authority or the public.

この本は多くの教育者に推薦されています。
(This book is recommended by many educators.)

When using this verb, the particle を (wo) is used for the person or thing being recommended, and に (ni) or として (toshite) is used for the role or destination. For example, 'A wo B ni suisen suru' (to recommend A for B). It is a Suru-verb, meaning it functions as a noun (推薦 - suisen) that becomes a verb by adding 'suru'. In very formal contexts, the humble form ご推薦する or the honorific form ご推薦なさる might be used, though the standard form is common in business.

Mastering 推薦する requires understanding its grammatical environment. Unlike casual verbs, it often appears in passive forms or as part of compound nouns. It is essential to recognize that this verb is transitive, requiring a direct object—the person or thing you are vouching for.

The 'As' Pattern (として): When recommending someone for a specific role, use the structure: [Person] を [Role] として推薦する. This is the standard way to nominate someone for a position, such as a class president or a department head.
Passive Voice (推薦される): In Japanese culture, where modesty is valued, you will often hear people say they 'were recommended' rather than boasting about being chosen. 田中さんに推薦されて、この仕事を引き受けました (I accepted this job because I was recommended by Mr. Tanaka).

委員会は新しいリーダーを推薦した。
(The committee recommended a new leader.)

In business writing, 推薦する is often used in the potential form to express a willingness to provide a reference. 'I can recommend her' becomes Kanojo wo suisen dekimasu. Conversely, if you are asking for a recommendation, you might use the request form: Suisen shite itadakemasu ka? (Could you please recommend me?). Note the shift in politeness levels depending on your relationship with the person you are asking.

誰かこの役職にふさわしい人を推薦してください。
(Please recommend someone suitable for this position.)

Furthermore, 推薦する can be used for inanimate objects when the context is official. A library might have a 'Recommended Books' section labeled 推薦図書 (Suisen Tosho). In this case, the recommendation is not just a personal like, but a professional judgment that the books are of high educational value. This distinction is vital for intermediate learners to grasp to sound natural in professional Japanese environments.

You will encounter 推薦する in several distinct high-stakes environments in Japan. Understanding these contexts will help you interpret the weight of the word when you hear it in news broadcasts, office meetings, or academic settings.

Academic Admissions: The 'Suisen' system is ubiquitous in Japanese high schools and universities. You will hear students discussing suisen-waku (recommendation slots) or shiteiko-suisen (designated school recommendations). In this context, the word signifies a path to admission that bypasses traditional testing through institutional trust.
Political Campaigns: During election cycles, news reports frequently use suisen to describe which party is backing which candidate. A candidate might be 'recommended by the Liberal Democratic Party' (Jiminto no suisen wo ukeru). Here, it means official political endorsement and logistical support.

彼は党から次期知事候補として推薦された。
(He was recommended by the party as the next gubernatorial candidate.)

In the corporate world, 推薦する is the standard verb for internal promotions and external recruitment. If a recruiter says, 'We would like to suisen you to our client,' it means they are submitting your profile with their professional seal of approval. It is much stronger than simply 'introducing' (紹介する - shoukai suru) someone.

この映画はアカデミー賞に推薦される可能性が高い。
(This movie has a high possibility of being recommended for an Academy Award.)

Finally, you will see it in literature and on book obi (the paper bands around Japanese books). An author might write a suisen-bun (recommendation text) for a junior writer's debut novel. In all these cases, the word carries the nuance of 'judged to be excellent by a qualified party.' It is an essential word for anyone navigating the Japanese professional or academic landscape.

For English speakers, the primary hurdle with 推薦する is its overlap with other verbs that translate to 'recommend' or 'suggest.' Using the wrong word can make you sound overly formal or, conversely, inappropriately casual.

推薦する vs. 勧める (Susumeru): This is the most frequent error. If you say Kono pasuta wo suisen shimasu at a restaurant, it sounds like you are an official food critic giving a formal endorsement. For personal tastes, always use 勧める. Use 推薦する when there is a clear, objective criteria or an official capacity involved.
推薦する vs. 紹介する (Shoukai suru): 'Shoukai suru' means to introduce. While you might 'recommend' a friend for a job by 'introducing' them, suisen implies you are specifically vouching for their skills. Shoukai is neutral; suisen is positive and evaluative.

❌ 友達にいい映画を推薦した。
✅ 友達にいい映画を勧めた。
(Correction: Use 'susumeru' for casual suggestions to friends.)

Another mistake involves particle usage. Learners often forget that 推薦する is a transitive verb and try to use it with 'ni' for the object. It must be [Thing] を推薦する. Also, when you are the one receiving the recommendation, you must use the passive suisen sareru or the receiving form suisen wo ukeru. Saying Watashi wa suisen shita means 'I recommended [someone else],' not 'I was recommended.'

❌ 彼は私にその本を推薦された。
✅ 彼は私をその本のために推薦してくれた。
(Correction: Be careful with the direction of the action and the particles.)

Finally, avoid overusing 推薦する in daily conversation. It can sound stiff or even arrogant if used to describe your own preferences. In casual Japanese, sticking to osusume (the noun form of susumeru) is much safer and more natural. Save suisen for when you are wearing a suit or writing an application.

To truly master the concept of recommendation in Japanese, you need to know the alternatives to 推薦する and when each is appropriate. The Japanese language has a rich vocabulary for various shades of 'suggesting' and 'pushing' ideas.

勧める (Susumeru): The most common alternative. Used for personal suggestions, inviting someone to do something, or recommending a product based on personal experience. Hoken wo susumeru (to recommend insurance).
推奨する (Suishou suru): Even more formal than suisen. It is often used for technical recommendations, like 'Recommended System Requirements' (suishou kankyou). It implies a high level of official guidance or institutional advice.
提案する (Teian suru): Means 'to propose' or 'to suggest a plan.' While suisen focuses on the quality of a person or thing, teian focuses on the action or the idea itself.

最新のブラウザの使用を推奨します。
(We recommend using the latest browser—Technical/Official usage.)

When dealing with people, 推挙する (Suikyo suru) is a literary and extremely formal version of suisen, often used in historical dramas or very high-level political appointments. For a lighter touch, you might use 紹介する (Shoukai suru) which simply introduces something without necessarily giving it a full endorsement.

新しいプロジェクトのメンバーを推薦してください。
(Please recommend members for the new project—Professional usage.)

Understanding these distinctions will prevent you from sounding like a technical manual when talking to friends, or like a casual tourist when writing a business letter. As a B1 learner, you should aim to transition from using susumeru for everything to using suisen suru specifically for people and formal nominations.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji '薦' is also the character for 'Suisen' (Daffodil), though they are written with different kanji usually. The 'mat' origin suggests that a recommendation is like laying out a welcome mat for someone.

Pronunciation Guide

UK suːiːseɴ suːɾuː

US suɪsɛn suːruː

The pitch accent is usually flat (Heiban style), meaning the pitch stays relatively level after the first syllable.

Rhymes With

Suisen (推薦) rhymes with 'Shuusen' (終戦 - end of war) Suisen (推薦) rhymes with 'Suigen' (水源 - water source) Suisen (推薦) rhymes with 'Keisen' (罫線 - ruled line) Suisen (推薦) rhymes with 'Meisen' (銘仙 - type of silk) Suisen (推薦) rhymes with 'Kaisen' (開戦 - start of war) Suisen (推薦) rhymes with 'Daisen' (大山 - big mountain) Suisen (推薦) rhymes with 'Chosen' (挑戦 - challenge) Suisen (推薦) rhymes with 'Unsen' (雲仙 - Unzen place name)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'sui' as a single syllable like 'sway'. It should be two distinct sounds: su-i.
Nasalizing the 'n' in 'sen' too much like a French 'en'. It's a crisp Japanese 'n'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji '薦' is slightly complex but common in academic/business contexts.

Writing 4/5

Writing '薦' from memory can be tricky for intermediate learners.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but choosing between suisen and susumeru takes practice.

Listening 2/5

Clear phonetic profile, usually easy to catch in formal speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

勧める (Susumeru) 紹介する (Shoukai suru) 選ぶ (Erabu) 良い (Yoi) 先生 (Sensei)

Learn Next

推奨する (Suishou suru) 推測する (Suisoku suru) 推進する (Suishin suru) 選考 (Senkou) 採用 (Saiyou)

Advanced

推挙 (Suikyo) 栄誉 (Eiyo) 太鼓判 (Taikoban) 委嘱 (Ishoku) 推敲 (Suikou)

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs

推薦する、推薦した、推薦している。

Passive Voice (れる/られる)

彼はみんなに推薦された。

Causative-Passive (せられる)

無理やり推薦させられた (I was forced to recommend someone).

Honorifics (お/ご...する)

先生をご推薦します (Humble form).

Noun + として (As...)

リーダーとして推薦する。

Examples by Level

先生が私を推薦しました。

The teacher recommended me.

Subject + ga + Object + wo + suisen shimashita.

この本を推薦します。

I recommend this book.

Object + wo + suisen shimasu.

誰を推薦しますか？

Who do you recommend?

Dare (who) + wo + suisen shimasu ka.

彼は私を推薦してくれた。

He recommended me (as a favor).

Using -te kureru shows the recommendation was a favor.

推薦する人は誰ですか？

Who is the person recommending?

Suisen suru acts as an adjective for hito (person).

いい人を推薦してください。

Please recommend a good person.

Object + wo + suisen shite kudasai.

彼女は推薦された。

She was recommended.

Passive form: suisen sareta.

推薦はありますか？

Are there any recommendations?

Suisen used as a noun here.

田中さんを新しいリーダーに推薦します。

I recommend Mr. Tanaka as the new leader.

ni suisen suru (recommend for a role).

推薦状を書いてください。

Please write a recommendation letter.

Suisenjou is a compound noun (recommendation letter).

どの映画を一番推薦しますか？

Which movie do you recommend the most?

Dono (which) + noun + wo + suisen shimasu ka.

私は彼を強く推薦します。

I strongly recommend him.

Tsuyoku (strongly) is an adverb modifying suisen suru.

学校の推薦で大学に入りました。

I entered university through a school recommendation.

Suisen de (by means of recommendation).

推薦された理由は何ですか？

What is the reason you were recommended?

Suisen sareta (recommended) + riyuu (reason).

彼は私を推薦してくれませんでした。

He did not recommend me.

Negative form: suisen shite kuremasen deshita.

友達をこの仕事に推薦したいです。

I want to recommend my friend for this job.

-tai form expresses desire: suisen shitai.

教授は彼女を奨学金の候補者として推薦した。

The professor recommended her as a candidate for the scholarship.

toshite (as) is used for the role/capacity.

推薦入試の準備をしています。

I am preparing for the recommendation-based entrance exam.

Suisen nyushi is a specific Japanese academic term.

委員会は彼を会長に推薦することを決めた。

The committee decided to recommend him for president.

koto wo kimeta (decided to...).

彼は多くの専門家に推薦されている医師だ。

He is a doctor recommended by many experts.

Passive relative clause: suisen sarete iru ishi.

推薦状があれば、採用に有利になります。

If you have a recommendation letter, it will be advantageous for hiring.

ba (if) conditional form.

誰かふさわしい人を推薦していただけませんか？

Could you please recommend someone suitable?

-te itadakemasen ka is a polite request form.

この製品は学会でも推薦されています。

This product is also recommended by the academic society.

Gakkai (academic society) + de (at/by).

彼は推薦を断った。

He turned down the recommendation.

Suisen wo kotowaru (to refuse a recommendation).

与党は彼を次期首相候補として推薦する方針だ。

The ruling party plans to recommend him as the next prime minister candidate.

Houshin da (it is the policy/plan to...).

適任者が見つからないため、外部から推薦してもらうことにした。

Since a suitable person couldn't be found, we decided to have someone recommended from outside.

-te morau (to have someone do something for you).

彼の功績を認めて、市民賞に推薦することになった。

In recognition of his achievements, it was decided to recommend him for the Citizen's Award.

koto ni natta (it has been decided that...).

推薦にあたっては、厳正な審査が行われます。

Upon recommendation, a strict screening will be conducted.

ni atatte wa (upon / at the time of).

彼女の能力なら、どこへ行っても推薦されるだろう。

With her ability, she would likely be recommended wherever she goes.

darou (probably) expresses a logical guess.

推薦枠は残りわずかとなっている。

The recommendation slots are becoming very few.

Suisen-waku (recommendation quota/slot).

自己推薦という形で応募することも可能です。

It is also possible to apply in the form of a self-recommendation.

Jiko-suisen (self-recommendation).

推薦していただいたおかげで、無事に合格しました。

Thanks to your recommendation, I passed successfully.

okage de (thanks to) shows gratitude.

学術会議は、政府に対して特定の政策を推薦した。

The Science Council recommended specific policies to the government.

ni taishite (towards/to) indicates the recipient.

推薦の辞を述べる機会をいただき、光栄に存じます。

I am honored to have the opportunity to give a recommendation speech.

Humble language (keigo): zonjimasu.

客観的なデータに基づき、この投資案件を推薦する。

Based on objective data, I recommend this investment project.

ni motozuki (based on).

推薦者の社会的信用が、その推薦の価値を左右する。

The social credibility of the recommender influences the value of that recommendation.

sayuu suru (to influence/control).

彼は推薦されるに足る十分な実績を積み上げてきた。

He has accumulated enough achievements to be worthy of recommendation.

ni taru (worthy of).

推薦プロセスにおける透明性の確保が求められている。

Ensuring transparency in the recommendation process is being demanded.

ni okeru (in / during).

特定の候補者を推薦することは、公平性を欠く恐れがある。

Recommending a specific candidate carries the risk of lacking fairness.

osore ga aru (there is a fear/risk that...).

推薦を受けた者は、その期待に応える義務がある。

Those who receive a recommendation have an obligation to meet those expectations.

kitaite ni kotaeru (to meet expectations).

選考委員会は、慎重な審議の末、彼を次期理事長に推薦する旨を伝えた。

The selection committee, after careful deliberation, conveyed their intent to recommend him as the next chairperson.

mune (intent/effect) is used in formal reports.

推薦という行為は、単なる紹介を超えた、道徳的な保証を伴うものである。

The act of recommendation is something that involves a moral guarantee, exceeding a mere introduction.

tomonau (to involve/accompany).

彼の推薦によって得られた地位は、彼自身の研鑽によって守られなければならない。

The position obtained through his recommendation must be protected by his own diligent study.

kensan (diligent study/refinement).

推薦状の文言一つ一つが、候補者の運命を決定づける重みを持つ。

Every single word in a recommendation letter carries the weight that determines the candidate's fate.

ketteizukeru (to determine).

組織内の推薦制度が、硬直化した人事を打破する鍵となることもある。

Internal recommendation systems can sometimes be the key to breaking through rigid personnel management.

kouchiku-shita (rigid/stagnant).

推薦者の主観をいかに排除し、客観的な推薦を成し遂げるかが課題だ。

The challenge lies in how to eliminate the recommender's subjectivity and achieve an objective recommendation.

nashitogeru (to accomplish).

推薦という制度的信頼が、社会の円滑な運営を支えている側面は否定できない。

One cannot deny the aspect that institutional trust, such as recommendation, supports the smooth operation of society.

hitei dekinai (cannot be denied).

後進を推薦することは、先達としての重要な責務の一つである。

Recommending one's successors is one of the important responsibilities as a predecessor.

koushin (successors) vs sendatsu (predecessors).

Common Collocations

推薦状を書く

推薦入試

候補者を推薦する

強く推薦する

推薦を受ける

自己推薦

推薦枠

推薦図書

推薦文

公認推薦

Common Phrases

推薦の言葉

— Words of recommendation. Used at the start of a speech or letter.

推薦の言葉を述べさせていただきます。

推薦に値する

— Worthy of recommendation. Used when someone has high merit.

彼は推薦に値する人物だ。

推薦を依頼する

— To request a recommendation.

元上司に推薦を依頼した。

推薦を辞退する

— To decline a recommendation.

彼は光栄ながらも推薦を辞退した。

誰の推薦ですか？

— Whose recommendation is it? Asking for the source of backing.

これは誰の推薦で決まったのですか？

推薦が得られない

— Cannot get a recommendation.

十分な推薦が得られなかった。

推薦を勝ち取る

— To win/secure a recommendation.

厳しい競争の中で推薦を勝ち取った。

推薦に基づく

— Based on a recommendation.

推薦に基づく採用。

推薦の理由

— Reason for recommendation.

推薦の理由を説明してください。

推薦の順位

— Order of recommendation.

推薦の順位を決める。

Often Confused With

推薦する vs 勧める (Susumeru)

Used for personal suggestions (food, movies). Suisen is for formal endorsements.

推薦する vs 推奨する (Suishou suru)

Used for technical recommendations or best practices (software, health).

推薦する vs 推進する (Suishin suru)

Means to 'promote' or 'drive forward' a project, not to recommend a person.

Idioms & Expressions

"太鼓判を押す"

— To give a big seal of approval; to guarantee something is good.

社長が彼の能力に太鼓判を押した。

Common

"白羽の矢が立つ"

— To be singled out or chosen for a role (often by recommendation).

彼に白羽の矢が立った。

Formal

"お墨付きをもらう"

— To get an official seal of approval or authorization.

専門家のお墨付きをもらった製品だ。

Common

"鶴の一声"

— The voice of authority that settles a matter (like a final recommendation).

会長の鶴の一声で彼が推薦された。

Common

"一目置く"

— To recognize someone's superiority; to respect them enough to recommend them.

誰もが彼には一目置いている。

Common

"折り紙付き"

— Certified; guaranteed quality (like a recommended item).

彼の技術は折り紙付きだ。

Common

"鳴り物入り"

— With great fanfare (often used for highly recommended debuts).

鳴り物入りで推薦された新入社員。

Common

"目が高い"

— To have a discerning eye (praising someone's recommendation).

彼を推薦するとは、お目が高い。

Common

"肝いり"

— Under the special sponsorship or recommendation of a powerful person.

大臣の肝いりで始まったプロジェクトだ。

Formal

"押しも押されもせぬ"

— Undisputed; so well-recommended that no one can deny it.

押しも押されもせぬ推薦候補だ。

Formal

Easily Confused

推薦する vs 推進 (Suishin)

Sounds similar (Sui-).

Suishin means to drive a project forward. Suisen means to recommend a person/thing.

プロジェクトを推進する vs メンバーを推薦する。

推薦する vs 推測 (Suisoku)

Sounds similar (Sui-).

Suisoku means to guess or infer. Suisen means to recommend.

理由を推測する vs 彼を推薦する。

推薦する vs 紹介 (Shoukai)

Both involve 'presenting' someone.

Shoukai is a neutral introduction. Suisen is a positive endorsement.

友達を紹介する vs 優秀な人を推薦する。

推薦する vs 勧誘 (Kanyuu)

Both involve 'pushing' something.

Kanyuu is inviting or soliciting (like joining a club). Suisen is nominating for a role.

サークルに勧誘する vs 役員に推薦する。

推薦する vs 推敲 (Suikou)

Sounds similar (Sui-).

Suikou means to polish or revise a piece of writing.

論文を推敲する。

Sentence Patterns

[Person] を推薦します。

彼を推薦します。

[Person] を [Role] に推薦します。

田中さんをリーダーに推薦します。

[Person] を [Role] として推薦する。

彼女を候補者として推薦する。

[Person] に推薦される。

先生に推薦される。

[Noun] の推薦を受ける。

党の推薦を受ける。

[Noun] を強く推薦する。

この本を強く推薦する。

推薦するに足る [Noun]。

推薦するに足る実績。

推薦の辞を述べる。

式典で推薦の辞を述べる。

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

推薦する (Suisen suru - To recommend)

推薦される (Suisen sareru - To be recommended)

Adjectives

推薦の (Suisen no - Recommended)

推薦された (Suisen sareta - Recommended)

推奨 (Suishou - Suggestion/Promotion)

勧誘 (Kanyuu - Invitation/Solicitation)

紹介 (Shoukai - Introduction)

公認 (Kounin - Official recognition)

選出 (Senshutsu - Selection)

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional, academic, and political domains.

Common Mistakes

Using 推薦する for food in a casual chat. → 勧める / お勧め
It sounds too formal and stiff for daily life.
Watashi wa suisen shita (meaning 'I was recommended'). → Watashi wa suisen sareta.
The active voice means you did the recommending.
Suisen ni kaku (writing in recommendation). → Suisenjou wo kaku.
You write a recommendation letter (noun), not 'in recommendation'.
Using 推薦 to mean 'to push' a physical object. → 押す (Osu)
推薦 is only for figurative pushing (endorsing).
Confusing 推薦 (Suisen) with 推進 (Suishin). → Context-dependent.
Suishin is for promoting a project/movement; Suisen is for people/nominations.

Tips

Context is King

Always check if the situation is official. If it's just friends talking, stick to 'susumeru'.

Particle Choice

Use 'wo' for the person being recommended. Use 'ni' or 'toshite' for the role they are being recommended for.

Responsibility

Remember that recommending someone in Japan is a social contract. You are vouching for them with your own name.

Compound Nouns

Learn words like 'Suisenjou' and 'Suisensha' together to expand your vocabulary quickly.

JLPT Tip

This word often appears in JLPT N3 and N2 reading sections related to work or school.

Humble Form

When recommending yourself in an interview, use 'jiko-suisen' but keep your tone humble.

Strong Endorsement

Add '強く' (tsuyoku - strongly) before 'suisen suru' to show you really believe in the person.

News Vocabulary

When watching Japanese news, listen for 'suisen' during election season to see party alliances.

School Life

If you teach in Japan, you will often be asked to 'suisen' students for study abroad programs.

Vs. Introduction

'Shoukai' (introduction) is just meeting. 'Suisen' is saying 'this person is the best'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are PUSHING (推) a MAT (薦) toward a boss to show them where a good employee should sit. You are 'Push-Matting' them = Recommending them.

Visual Association

A professor handing a glowing envelope (the recommendation) to a student who is walking through a gate.

Word Web

Job University Letter Professor Candidate Endorsement Formal Vouch

Challenge

Write a short paragraph in Japanese about why you would 推薦する your favorite book to a library, using the word at least twice.

Word Origin

Composed of '推' (push/infer) and '薦' (recommend/offering). The character '薦' originally depicted grass or a mat offered to guests, symbolizing a respectful offering.

Original meaning: To push forward an offering; to present someone or something as worthy of a guest's or authority's attention.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be careful when recommending yourself (自己推薦); it requires a balance of confidence and humble language to not sound arrogant.

In English, 'recommend' is used very broadly. In Japanese, using 'suisen' for a movie sounds like you are a professional critic.

推薦入試 (Suisen Nyushi) - The famous 'easy' but socially heavy way to get into college. 推薦図書 (Suisen Tosho) - The list of books every Japanese student is told to read over summer. Official party recommendations in the Diet (Japanese Parliament).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Hunting

推薦状をお願いする
推薦で応募する
元上司の推薦
推薦をもらう

University Admissions

推薦入試を受ける
指定校推薦
公募推薦
推薦枠の確認

Politics

党の推薦候補
推薦を決定する
団体からの推薦
推薦を辞退する

Book/Product Reviews

編集部推薦
推薦図書リスト
推薦コメント
強く推薦されている

Internal Office Decisions

後任を推薦する
推薦理由を述べる
委員会で推薦する
推薦に基づく昇進

Conversation Starters

"どなたか、このプロジェクトにふさわしい人を推薦していただけませんか？ (Could you recommend someone suitable for this project?)"

"推薦入試と一般入試、どちらがいいと思いますか？ (Which do you think is better, recommendation-based or general exams?)"

"先生に推薦状を書いてもらうには、どうすればいいですか？ (What should I do to get a teacher to write a recommendation letter?)"

"この本、教授が推薦していたのですが、読みましたか？ (The professor recommended this book; have you read it?)"

"あなたが誰かを推薦するとしたら、誰を選びますか？ (If you were to recommend someone, who would you choose?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、誰かに推薦されたこと、あるいは誰かを推薦したことについて書いてください。 (Write about being recommended by someone today, or recommending someone else.)

あなたが今までで一番嬉しかった推薦は何ですか？ (What is the recommendation you were most happy to receive?)

推薦入試という制度について、あなたの意見を日本語で説明してください。 (Explain your opinion on the recommendation-based entrance exam system in Japanese.)

尊敬する人を一人選び、その人を推薦する文章を書いてみましょう。 (Choose one person you respect and try writing a text recommending them.)

もし自分が推薦状を書くとしたら、どんな点に注目して書きますか？ (If you were to write a recommendation letter, what points would you focus on?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It's better to use '勧める' (susumeru) or 'osusume' for restaurants. '推薦する' sounds like a formal food critic's report.

It is a 'Letter of Recommendation.' You usually need one for university or job applications in Japan.

You should say: '推薦状を書いていただけませんか？' (Suisenjou wo kaite itadakemasen ka?)

It is a noun that becomes a verb when you add 'suru' (to do).

It means 'Self-recommendation.' It's common in some university entrance paths where you explain why you are a good fit.

Yes, but usually in a formal way, like 'Recommended Books' (推薦図書) by a library or school.

It is a standard formal word. To make it more polite, use '推薦いたします' or 'ご推薦' in keigo.

'推薦' is usually for people and nominations. '推奨' is for actions, methods, or technical settings.

No, it just means you have been nominated or endorsed. You still usually have to pass an interview or screening.

Very common. About 40-50% of university students in Japan enter through some form of recommendation.