recommendation
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recommendation
Advice or a suggestion to prefer a particular person, thing, or action over another. A recommendation is often based on positive experiences.
Auf Empfehlung eines Freundes habe ich dieses Buch gelesen.
On the recommendation of a friend, I read this book.
recommendation
A positive evaluation or letter of reference that confirms a person's suitability for a position or task.
Für die Bewerbung benötige ich eine Empfehlung meines früheren Professors.
For the application, I need a recommendation from my former professor.
'Die Empfehlung' (the recommendation) is the noun form of the verb 'empfehlen' (to recommend). The ending '-ung' forms feminine nouns from many verbs that describe the result of the action.
Ich kann dir dieses Buch wirklich empfehlen.
I can really recommend this book to you.
The phrase 'auf Empfehlung von jemandem' (on someone's recommendation) is very common. It expresses that someone followed advice. After 'von', the dative is always used.
Wir sind auf Empfehlung unserer Freunde in dieses Restaurant gegangen.
We went to this restaurant on the recommendation of our friends.
Common verbs used with 'Empfehlung' (recommendation) are 'eine Empfehlung geben' (to give a recommendation) or 'aussprechen' (to make/issue). In a restaurant, the 'Empfehlung des Hauses' (house recommendation) is the dish especially recommended by the chef.
Der Kellner hat uns eine klare Empfehlung für den Wein gegeben.
The waiter gave us a clear recommendation for the wine.
In the meaning of 'letter of reference', 'Empfehlung' (recommendation) is used almost only in a professional or academic context. Words like 'Bewerbung' (application), 'Professor' (professor), or 'Arbeitgeber' (employer) signal this meaning.
Mein ehemaliger Chef hat mir eine sehr gute Empfehlung geschrieben.
My former boss wrote me a very good recommendation.
advice / council
Both words can refer to helpful advice for making a decision. Rat mainly says what someone should do; Empfehlung emphasizes more strongly that a particular person, thing, or action is preferred over others. Use Rat for advice and Empfehlung for the preferred option.
Meine Freundin gab mir die Empfehlung, dieses Angebot den anderen vorzuziehen.
My friend recommended choosing this offer over the others.
Mein Bruder gab mir den Rat, vor dem Kauf verschiedene Angebote zu vergleichen.
My brother advised me to compare different offers before buying.
