recomendar
/rekomenˈdaɾ/
To recommend in Spanish is recomendar.
The verb recomendar is used to advise or propose something. It is a transitive verb, meaning it does not require a preposition like 'to' before the object being recommended. If you want to express a recommendation very strongly, you can use the modifier encarecidamente.
Meaning: to advise, propose (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
There are two main ways to structure a recommendation with recomendar. If you are recommending that someone else perform an action, you must use the conjunction que followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. However, if the subject of the recommendation is the same as the person performing the action, you can follow the verb directly with an infinitive. Note that when saying 'I recommend', the Spanish form is recomiendo.
How do you pronounce it?
/rekomenˈdaɾ/
Did you know?
- The root of recomendar is linked to the concept of 'hand', through the Proto-Indo-European root for 'to place' or 'to put'.
- Using recomendar with the subjunctive mood is so common that native speakers often use it to soften a direct order, making a command sound like a friendly suggestion.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, asking for a recomendación at a restaurant is a social ritual that often involves the waiter sharing their personal preference rather than just the most popular dish.
Examples in context
- Yo recomendaría no hacerlo.I'd recommend not doing that.This sentence shows how to use recomendar to suggest not performing an action.Tatoeba #7559574 by arh, translation #2543125 by CK
- ¿Me puede recomendar un hotel?Can you recommend a hotel?This sentence uses recomendar to ask for a recommendation for a hotel.Tatoeba #1465262 by marcelostockle, translation #642536 by CK
- ¿Qué recomendarías que comamos?What would you recommend we eat?This sentence uses recomendar to ask for a food recommendation.Tatoeba #1235025 by marcelostockle, translation #65038 by CK
- Recomiendo encarecidamente este libro.I highly recommend this book.
- Aconsejo que consulte a un profesional.I advise you to consult a professional.
- Sugiero considerar todas las opciones posibles.I suggest considering all possible options.
- Te recomiendo que pruebes este restaurante.I recommend you try this restaurant.
- Recomiendo encarecidamente que veas esa película, ¡es fabulosa!I strongly recommend you watch that movie, it's fabulous!
- Te aconsejo que estudies antes del examen.I advise you to study before the exam.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are at a restaurant looking at the menu.
- ElenaNo sé qué pedir. ¿Qué me puedes recomendar?I don't know what to order. What can you recommend to me?
- AlejandroTe recomiendo probar la pasta con mariscos.I recommend you try the seafood pasta.
- ElenaGracias, Alejandro. Voy a pedir eso.Thanks, Alejandro. I'm going to order that.
- AlejandroDe nada, Elena. ¡Es el mejor plato aquí!You're welcome, Elena. It's the best dish here!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “recommend” translations and entries recomendar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries recomendar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
