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.
'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
'der Rat' and 'die Empfehlung' can both say what someone should do or choose. 'Rat' fits generally when someone needs help with a decision or a problem. 'Empfehlung' emphasizes more strongly that a particular person, thing, or action is especially good. It is often based on positive experience, for example with a book, doctor, or restaurant. The words can be confused because a recommendation is also a kind of advice. When you particularly recommend something among several options, 'Empfehlung' sounds more precise.
In der Bibliothek folgt Simon der Empfehlung seiner Freundin und leiht das Buch aus.
At the library, Simon follows his friend's recommendation and borrows the book.
Der Gast fragt den Trainer nach einem Rat für den ersten Kurs.
The guest asks the trainer for advice about the first course.