YukaMy friend asked me how to recommend a restaurant. I wasn’t sure how to say it in Japanese!
ReiThere are a few great patterns for recommending things. Let’s go through them together!
Whether you want to suggest a great restaurant, a book, or a travel spot, knowing how to recommend something in Japanese is a must-have skill. In this guide, we’ll cover the most natural and commonly used Japanese phrases for recommendations.
At a Glance: Key Recommendation Patterns
| Pattern | Meaning | Formality |
|---|---|---|
| 〜がおすすめです | I recommend ~ | Neutral |
| 〜はいかがですか | How about ~? | Formal |
| 〜してみてください | Please try ~ | Polite |
| 〜ておくといいですよ | It’s good to ~ in advance | Casual-polite |
| ぜひ〜てみて | Definitely try ~! | Casual |
おすすめ (osusume) — The Core Word for Recommendations
おすすめ (お勧め / osusume) is the most common word for “recommendation” or “recommended.” It comes from the verb すすめる (to recommend, to encourage).
Basic patterns:
- このレストランはおすすめです。— This restaurant is recommended.
- おすすめの本はありますか？ — Do you have any book recommendations?
- 今日のおすすめは何ですか？ — What is today’s special (recommendation)?
- この店のおすすめメニューは何ですか？ — What’s the recommended dish at this restaurant?
〜がおすすめです vs 〜をおすすめします
Both patterns work, but there’s a subtle difference:
| Pattern | Example | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| 〜がおすすめです | この映画がおすすめです。 | Stating that something is good — factual |
| 〜をおすすめします | この映画をおすすめします。 | Actively recommending — slightly more direct |
More examples:
- このカフェをおすすめします。— I recommend this café.
- 初心者には平仮名から始めることをおすすめします。— For beginners, I recommend starting with hiragana.
- その映画はあまりおすすめしません。— I don’t really recommend that movie.
How to Make Suggestions: 〜はいかがですか / 〜はどうですか
When suggesting something to someone, especially in a polite context, these patterns are very natural:
- お茶はいかがですか？ — How about some tea?
- この料理はどうですか？ — How about this dish?
- 明日はどうですか？ — How does tomorrow work for you?
- 散歩はいかがですか？ — How about a walk?
いかがですか is more formal than どうですか, and is used in customer service, business, and polite daily conversation.
Stronger Recommendations: ぜひ and 〜てみてください
ぜひ (zehi) adds enthusiasm — it means “by all means” or “definitely.” Pair it with 〜てみてください (please try ~) for a warm, encouraging recommendation.
- ぜひ食べてみてください。— Please do try it! (You’ve got to eat this!)
- ぜひ一度来てみてください。— Please come visit at least once!
- ぜひ読んでみてほしい。— I really want you to try reading it. (casual)
- ぜひ使ってみてください。— Please do give it a try!
YukaSo ぜひ makes it sound more enthusiastic, like you’re really urging someone to try it!
ReiExactly! Without ぜひ it’s still polite, but with ぜひ you’re saying ‘I strongly encourage you to try this!’
Recommending in Advance: 〜ておくといいですよ
When recommending that someone do something as preparation, use 〜ておくといいですよ (it’s good to do ~ in advance).
- 予約しておくといいですよ。— You should make a reservation in advance.
- 早めに行っておくといいですよ。— It’s good to go early.
- 日本語を少し勉強しておくといいですよ。— It’s good to study a little Japanese beforehand.
- 地図を確認しておくといいよ。— You should check the map ahead of time. (casual)
Quick Quiz
Fill in the blank with the correct word:
- このお店の___はラーメンです。(recommendation) → おすすめ
- ___行ってみてください！(Definitely) → ぜひ
- お飲み物は___ですか？(How about) → いかがです
- 早めに準備しておく___いいですよ。(it’s good to) → と
Summary
| Expression | Use When |
|---|---|
| おすすめです / おすすめします | Recommending something directly |
| 〜はいかがですか | Politely suggesting something |
| ぜひ〜てみてください | Enthusiastically urging someone to try |
| 〜ておくといいですよ | Recommending advance preparation |
Mastering recommendation phrases will make your Japanese sound much more natural and confident. Start with おすすめ and build from there!
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