おすすめします
osusume shimasu
I recommend in Japanese is expressed as おすすめします (osusume shimasu).
This phrase is used to suggest something to someone because it is good or suitable. In many contexts, such as menus or shop displays, the single word おすすめ is used as a label to mean 'Recommended' or 'Staff Pick'.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun おすすめ comes from the verb susumeru, meaning to advance or recommend. The phrase uses the polite verb します (to do) to make the recommendation respectful.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term おすすめします is a polite way to say "I recommend" in Japanese. The dictionary form おすすめする is used in casual speech with friends, whereas おすすめします is the standard polite version.
How do you pronounce it?
osusume shimasu
Did you know?
- When a customer asks for a recommendation, a Japanese clerk might respond with おまかせください, which means 'Please leave it to me' rather than using おすすめします.
- The root verb すすめる can mean both 'to recommend' and 'to push forward', which is why a person giving a recommendation is metaphorically 'pushing' a choice toward you.
- While 'I recommend' is a personal statement in English, using おすすめします in Japan can sometimes sound slightly direct or assertive depending on your relationship with the listener.
Examples in context
- この本をおすすめします。I recommend this book.This sentence shows how to use おすすめします to recommend a book.Tatoeba #12148244 by small_snow, translation #3826171 by CK
- 電車で行くのをおすすめします。I recommend you to go by train.This sentence demonstrates using おすすめします to recommend a method of travel.Tatoeba #1689582 by mookeee, translation #256813 by CK
- 前髪が、おでこにかからないように髪を上げることをおすすめします。I recommend putting up your hair so your fringe doesn't get on your forehead.This sentence shows how to use おすすめします when giving advice about hair styling.Tatoeba #74033 by fcbond, translation #329687 by fcbond
- Watashi wa kono resutoran o osusume-shimasu. (私はこのレストランをおすすめします。)I recommend this restaurant.
- Kono eiga, osusume da yo. (この映画、オススメだよ。)I recommend this movie.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- 陽太 Yota何を食べたいですか？Nani o tabetai desu ka?What do you want to eat?
- 陽葵 Himari何がおいしいでしょうか。Nani ga oishii deshou ka.I wonder what is good.
- 陽太 Yotaここのカレーをおすすめします。Koko no karee o osusume shimasu.I recommend the curry here.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます。それにします。Arigatou gozaimasu. Sore ni shimasu.Thank you. I'll go with that.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
