推薦する

§ Understanding 推薦する

You're learning Japanese, and you've come across the verb 推薦する (suisen suru). This word is essential if you want to talk about recommending or endorsing something. It's not just for formal situations; you'll hear it in many everyday contexts in Japan.

Japanese Word

推薦する (suisen suru)

Part of Speech

Verb

CEFR Level

B1

Definition

To recommend, to endorse; to suggest something as suitable.

Let's look at where you'll actually hear and use this word. It's more versatile than you might think.

§ At Work

In a professional setting, 推薦する is very common. You might use it when recommending a colleague for a promotion or suggesting a particular tool or strategy. It shows you're actively supporting someone or something.

Kare o chiimu riidaa ni suisen shimasu. (I recommend him for team leader.)

Kono sofutouea no dounyuu o suisen shimasu. (I recommend introducing this software.)

§ At School

Students and teachers also use 推薦する. A teacher might recommend a book to read, or a student might get a letter of recommendation for further studies.

Sensei ga kono hon o suisen shimashita. (The teacher recommended this book.)

Daigaku e no suisenjou ga hitsuyou da. (I need a letter of recommendation for university.)

§ In the News and Media

You'll also come across 推薦する in news reports, reviews, and general media. This is especially true when talking about products, services, or even political candidates.

Kono resutoran wa ooku no gaidobukku de suisen sarete imasu. (This restaurant is recommended in many guidebooks.)

Senmonka ga kono toushi puran o suisen shite imasu. (Experts are recommending this investment plan.)

§ Other Common Uses

Beyond these specific environments, you'll hear 推薦する in more general conversations about suggestions or endorsements. For instance, recommending a good doctor or a tourist spot.

• 友達に良い医者を推薦しました。(Tomodachi ni yoi isha o suisen shimashita. - I recommended a good doctor to my friend.)
• 旅行代理店がいくつかのツアーを推薦してきた。(Ryokou dairiten ga ikutsuka no tsuaa o suisen shite kita. - The travel agency recommended some tours.)

As you can see, 推薦する is a very practical and common verb. Pay attention to how it's used in different situations, and you'll quickly get comfortable using it yourself.

§ Understanding 推薦する (suisen suru)

You want to recommend something? Great! In Japanese, 推薦する (suisen suru) is your go-to verb when you're suggesting something or someone as suitable, often with a sense of formal endorsement or strong approval. Think of it like saying 'I highly recommend this' or 'I endorse this person for the position.'

Japanese Word

推薦する (suisen suru)

Word Type

Verb

CEFR Level

B1

Definition

To recommend, to endorse; to suggest something as suitable.

This word is generally used for more significant recommendations. For example, recommending a person for a job, a book, a restaurant, or a tourist spot that you genuinely believe is excellent. It carries a bit more weight than simply saying you 'like' something.

Hint: I strongly recommend this book.

Hint: I recommended her for team leader.

§ Similar words and when to use them

While 推薦する is great for formal or strong recommendations, Japanese has other ways to suggest or advise, each with slightly different nuances. Let's look at some common alternatives and when to use them.

• お勧めする (osusume suru): This is probably the closest and most frequently used alternative to 推薦する in everyday situations. It also means 'to recommend,' but it's generally softer and less formal. You'd use this for recommending a dish at a restaurant, a movie to a friend, or a product you personally like. It's about personal preference and suggestion rather than a formal endorsement.

  このラーメン、とてもお勧めしますよ。

  Hint: I highly recommend this ramen.

• 提案する (teian suru): This means 'to propose' or 'to suggest' (an idea, a plan). It's more about putting forward a new idea or a course of action for consideration, often in a business or formal setting. You're not necessarily endorsing something as inherently good, but rather presenting it as an option.

  新しいプロジェクトを提案します。

  Hint: I propose a new project.

• アドバイスする (adobaisu suru): This is a loanword from English, meaning 'to advise.' You'd use this when you're giving advice or counsel, often based on your experience or knowledge, to help someone make a decision or improve a situation. It's less about recommending an item and more about guiding a person.

  医者が安静にするようにアドバイスしました。

  Hint: The doctor advised me to rest.

• 進める (susumeru): This verb has a broader meaning of 'to recommend,' 'to encourage,' or 'to promote.' It can be used for recommending things, but also for encouraging someone to do something. It's often used when you want someone to move forward with a particular action or choice.

  この薬を飲むことを進めます。

  Hint: I recommend taking this medicine.

§ When to pick 推薦する

You should use 推薦する when:

• You are making a formal recommendation, like for a job, scholarship, or award.

• You are endorsing a product, service, or place with strong conviction and often some level of authority or experience.

• You want to convey a sense of genuine, well-considered approval.

Remember, while 推薦する and お勧めする can sometimes be interchangeable depending on context, 推薦する generally carries more weight and formality. If you're unsure, お勧めする is usually a safe bet for casual recommendations. But for something serious or official, 推薦する is the word you need.