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
es empfiehlt sich
it is advisable
It is advisable or beneficial to do something.
EXAMPLE
Bei diesem Wetter empfiehlt es sich, einen Regenschirm mitzunehmen.
In this weather, it is advisable to take an umbrella.
sich empfehlen
to take one's leave
A formal and somewhat old-fashioned way to say goodbye.
EXAMPLE
Meine Damen und Herren, für heute empfehle ich mich.
Ladies and gentlemen, I shall take my leave for today.
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 beraten
to advise
Both words can express expert help with a decision. Empfehlen emphasizes judging a particular option to be good, while beraten usually refers to more comprehensive guidance involving advice and information. For a clear positive choice, empfehlen is more appropriate; for jointly considering different options, beraten is more appropriate.
empfehlen
Ich empfehle Ihnen dieses Fahrrad, weil es besonders bequem ist.
I recommend this bicycle because it is especially comfortable.
beraten
Die Verkäuferin berät Sie gern, welches Fahrrad zu Ihren Bedürfnissen passt.
The sales assistant will be happy to advise you on which bicycle suits your needs.
In real life
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