01
empfehlen
to recommend
To advise someone to choose or do something specific because you think it is good.
example
Können Sie mir ein gutes Restaurant in der Nähe empfehlen?
Can you recommend a good restaurant nearby?
empfehlen
to recommend
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Empfehlen' (to recommend) is an inseparable verb; the prefix 'emp-' is never separated from the stem. It is also a strong verb with a vowel change in the present tense: ich empfehle, but du empfiehlst, er/sie/es empfiehlt.
EXAMPLE
Er empfiehlt uns, das Museum zu besuchen.
He recommends that we visit the museum.
Dative and accusative object
The typical sentence structure is: someone (subject) empfiehlt someone (dative) something (accusative). The person receiving the advice is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Kellner hat uns den Wein des Hauses empfohlen.
The waiter recommended the house wine to us.
Sentence structure with 'zu'
When recommending an action, an infinitive construction with 'zu' is often used. The structure is: empfehlen, etwas zu tun (to recommend doing something).
EXAMPLE
Ich empfehle, frühzeitig ein Ticket zu buchen.
I recommend booking a ticket early.
Fixed expression
The impersonal phrase 'es empfiehlt sich' (it is advisable) is a polite and formal way to say that something is advisable. It is often combined with an infinitive construction with 'zu'.
EXAMPLE
Es empfiehlt sich, die Anweisungen genau zu lesen.
It is advisable to read the instructions carefully.
Register: formal
The reflexive form 'sich empfehlen' as a farewell is very formal and is rarely used today, usually in an ironic or very elevated context.
EXAMPLE
Der alte Professor beendete seine Vorlesung mit den Worten: „Für heute empfehle ich mich“.
The old professor ended his lecture with the words: 'For today, I shall take my leave.'
Compare with
empfehlen vs sagen
to say
'sagen' and 'empfehlen' can both express advice. 'sagen' is very general here: someone tells you what you should do or what they think. 'empfehlen' is more specific and more positive: you advise someone to do something because you think it is good or sensible. If it is only about an instruction or a normal statement, 'sagen' fits. If someone suggests a good choice, 'empfehlen' sounds more natural.
empfehlen
Nina empfiehlt mir einen Handwerker, weil sie mit seiner Arbeit zufrieden war.
Nina recommends a tradesman to me because she was happy with his work.
sagen
Mein Freund sagt mir vor der Prüfung, dass ich früher schlafen soll.
Before the exam, my friend tells me that I should go to sleep earlier.
In real life
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