勧める

• Reading: すすめる
• Romaji: susumeru
• Kanji breakdown: 勧 (kan/susu) — to encourage, recommend
• Pronunciation: /sɯ.sɯ.me.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To recommend; to advise; to urge someone to do something.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb. Takes a direct object with を or a person with に. Used for recommending food, books, actions, or anything you think someone should try. Less formal than 推薦する. Distinct from 進める (to advance), which shares the same reading.

Examples

1. 友達にこの映画を勧めたら、とても喜んでくれた。 When I recommended this movie to my friend, they were really happy.
2. 医者に運動を勧められて、毎朝走ることにした。 My doctor recommended exercise, so I decided to run every morning.
3. 先輩が留学を強く勧めてくれた。 My senior strongly encouraged me to study abroad.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, advice, social situations

Tone: friendly

Origin & History

From the kanji 勧 (kan/susu, to encourage/recommend), which combines 雚 (a phonetic element) and 力 (power/effort), suggesting the act of encouraging effort or action.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal