Forgetting the 'me'
Mistake: “Saying '¿Puede recomendar un restaurante?'”
Correction: '¿Me puede recomendar un restaurante?'
How to say
Can you recommend...?
in Spanish¿Me puede recomendar...?
meh PWEH-deh rreh-koh-men-DAHR
This is the most standard and polite way to ask for a recommendation. It uses the formal 'usted' form, making it perfect for talking to staff at hotels, restaurants, or shops.
Asking for a local's recommendation with a simple '¿Me puede recomendar...?' can unlock the best travel experiences.
🎬Watch & Learn
Can you recommend...? — in Spanish
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Me puedes recomendar...?
★★★★★
meh PWEH-dehs rreh-koh-men-DAHR
informal🌍
This is the informal version of the primary phrase, using 'tú'. It's what you'd use with friends, family, or people your own age.
When to use: Use this when asking for a recommendation from a friend, a younger person, or in a very casual setting.
¿Qué me recomienda?
★★★★★
keh meh rreh-koh-MYEN-dah
formal🌍
A very common and slightly more direct question, meaning 'What do you recommend to me?'. It's perfectly polite and often used when you want a specific suggestion from a menu or list.
When to use: Great at a restaurant when looking at the menu, or at a shop when you want the salesperson's top pick.
¿Qué me recomiendas?
★★★★★
keh meh rreh-koh-MYEN-dahs
informal🌍
The informal 'tú' version of 'What do you recommend to me?'. It's direct, friendly, and very common in casual conversation.
When to use: When asking a friend, 'So, what do you recommend?' while looking at a movie list or menu together.
¿Podría recomendarme...?
★★★★☆
poh-DREE-ah rreh-koh-men-DAR-meh
very formal🌍
This version uses the conditional tense ('could you'), making it extra polite. It's a fantastic way to show respect or be cautious in a formal setting.
When to use: Ideal for high-end restaurants, formal business settings, or when you want to be exceptionally courteous.
¿Me sugiere...?
★★★☆☆
meh soo-HYEH-reh
formal🌍
This means 'Do you suggest...?' and is a great alternative to 'recomendar'. It can sound a little more sophisticated or intellectual.
When to use: A good substitute for 'recomendar' in any formal context. Often used when asking for ideas or options rather than a single 'best' thing.
¿Qué me aconseja?
★★★☆☆
keh meh ah-kohn-SEH-hah
formal🌍
This means 'What do you advise me?'. It implies you're seeking guidance or expert advice, not just a casual recommendation.
When to use: Best used when asking for genuine advice, like from a doctor, a travel agent about a complex trip, or a mechanic about your car.
¿Me podés recomendar...?
★★★★☆
meh poh-DEHS rreh-koh-men-DAHR
informal🇦🇷 🇺🇾 🌍
This is the 'voseo' version, used in countries like Argentina where 'vos' replaces 'tú' for informal address. It's the regional equivalent of '¿Me puedes recomendar...?'
When to use: When speaking informally with someone from a 'voseo' region like Argentina.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right phrase depends on who you're talking to and how polite you want to be. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Me puede recomendar...? | Formal | Your go-to phrase for waiters, hotel staff, and anyone you don't know. | Talking to close friends or children, where it might sound too stiff. |
| ¿Me puedes recomendar...? | Informal | Asking friends, family, and peers for their suggestions. | Addressing authority figures, elders, or staff in a formal establishment. |
| ¿Qué me recomienda? | Formal | Directly asking for a specific suggestion from a professional (e.g., 'What's the best thing on the menu?'). | You want a broad range of ideas rather than one specific recommendation. |
| ¿Podría recomendarme...? | Very Formal | Showing extra respect in upscale places or when asking for a significant favor. | A very casual, relaxed environment where it might sound overly formal. |
📈Difficulty Level
Overall Difficulty:beginnerMaster in a few hours
Pronunciation2/5
The 'rr' sound in 'recomendar' can be tricky, but the rest of the phrase is straightforward for English speakers.
Grammar3/5
The main challenge is remembering to include the object pronoun 'me' and correctly choosing between the formal ('puede') and informal ('puedes') verb forms.
Cultural Nuance3/5
Understanding when to use formal vs. informal address is key to being polite and showing respect, which is culturally important.
Key Challenges:
- Choosing between 'tú' (puedes) and 'usted' (puede)
- Remembering to include 'me' before the verb
💡Examples in Action
At a restaurant, speaking to a waiterA2
Disculpe, ¿me puede recomendar un buen vino tinto para acompañar la carne?
Excuse me, can you recommend a good red wine to go with the meat?
Casual conversation with a friendA2
Hola, Ana. Voy a Madrid la próxima semana, ¿qué me recomiendas visitar?
Hi, Ana. I'm going to Madrid next week, what do you recommend I visit?
Asking a hotel concierge or at a tourist information centerB1
Buenas tardes, ¿nos podría recomendar alguna actividad para hacer con niños?
Good afternoon, could you recommend an activity for us to do with children?
In a bookstore, speaking to an employeeB1
Estoy buscando una novela de misterio. ¿Qué me sugiere para empezar?
I'm looking for a mystery novel. What do you suggest for a start?
🌍Cultural Context
Formality is Your Friend
In Spanish-speaking cultures, using the formal 'usted' form ('puede', 'recomienda') with service staff, elders, or people you don't know is a sign of respect. It's always safer to start formal; they will let you know if you can switch to the more casual 'tú'.
The Power of a Personal Recommendation
Asking for a recommendation is a great way to connect with locals. People are often proud of their city or cuisine and are happy to share their favorites. It's seen as a friendly gesture that shows you value their opinion.
Directness Isn't Rudeness
Phrases like '¿Qué me recomienda?' ('What do you recommend me?') might sound a bit blunt in English, but they are perfectly normal and polite in Spanish. It's an efficient way to ask for a suggestion and is not considered rude at all.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Up Formality
Mistake: “Using '¿Qué me recomiendas?' with an older hotel clerk.”
Correction: '¿Qué me recomienda?'
Confusing 'Pedir' and 'Preguntar'
Mistake: “Saying 'Quiero preguntar por una recomendación.' (I want to ask for a recommendation.)”
Correction: 'Quisiera pedir una recomendación.' (I'd like to ask for a recommendation.)
💡Pro Tips
Get Their Attention First
Before you ask for a recommendation, get the person's attention politely. A simple 'Disculpe' (Excuse me) or 'Perdón' (Pardon me) works perfectly before you launch into your question.
Use 'Podría' to Be Extra Polite
'Podría' is the Spanish equivalent of 'Could you...'. Using '¿Podría recomendarme...?' instead of '¿Puede recomendarme...?' adds an extra layer of politeness that is always appreciated, especially in more formal settings.
Combine with 'Quisiera'
To sound even more natural, you can start with 'Quisiera...' ('I would like...'). For example, 'Quisiera que me recomendara un plato típico.' ('I would like you to recommend a typical dish to me.') This is a slightly more advanced but very polite structure.
🗺️Regional Variations
🇪🇸
Spain
Preferred:¿Me puede recomendar...?
Pronunciation:The 'c' in 'recomendar' may be pronounced with a 'th' sound (like 'think') in many parts of Spain, known as 'ceceo' or 'distinción'.
Alternatives:
¿Qué me aconsejas?¿Me das una sugerencia?
The use of 'vosotros' for informal plural is unique to Spain. You might ask a group of friends: '¿Qué me recomendáis?' ('What do you all recommend?').
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:¿Me puede recomendar...?
Pronunciation:Pronunciation is generally very clear. The 'c' is pronounced like an 's'.
Alternatives:
¿Qué me recomienda?¿Cuál me sugiere?
Politeness is highly valued. Using 'usted' ('puede', 'recomienda') in service situations is standard and expected. It's common to add 'por favor' at the end of the request.
🌍
Argentina & Uruguay
Preferred:¿Me podés recomendar...?
Pronunciation:The 'll' and 'y' sounds are often pronounced as 'sh'. The intonation has a distinctive, almost Italian-like melodic quality.
Alternatives:
¿Qué me recomendás?¿Tenés alguna recomendación para mí?
The defining feature is 'voseo', the use of 'vos' instead of 'tú'. The verb endings change accordingly ('puedes' becomes 'podés', 'recomiendas' becomes 'recomendás').
📱Texting & Social Media
q me recomiendas?
¿Qué me recomiendas?
WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, casual text messages.
voy a tu ciudad el finde, q me recomiendas hacer?
im going to your city this weekend, what do you recommend i do?
💬What Comes Next?
After they give you a recommendation
They say:
Le recomiendo el lomo saltado, es la especialidad de la casa.
I recommend the 'lomo saltado', it's the house specialty.
→
You respond:
¡Suena delicioso! Gracias por la recomendación.
That sounds delicious! Thanks for the recommendation.
They need more information to help you
They say:
¿Qué tipo de comida busca?
What type of food are you looking for?
→
You respond:
Busco algo tradicional y no muy caro.
I'm looking for something traditional and not too expensive.
You accept their recommendation
They say:
Te recomiendo la película 'Relatos Salvajes'.
I recommend the movie 'Wild Tales'.
→
You respond:
Perfecto, la veré. ¡Gracias!
Perfect, I'll watch it. Thanks!
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the mandatory use of the indirect object pronoun 'me' ('to me'). In English, 'Can you recommend a book?' is complete, but in Spanish, '¿Me puede recomendar un libro?' is standard because it clarifies who benefits from the action. Also, the line between 'can you' and 'what do you' is blurrier; '¿Qué me recomienda?' is often used where an English speaker might say 'Can you recommend something?'
Spanish can be more direct without being rude. Asking '¿Qué me recomienda?' is a very direct way to solicit an opinion, but it's considered completely normal and polite, whereas the English 'What do you recommend me?' can sound slightly unnatural or demanding.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
"Introduce"
Why it''s different: The Spanish verb 'introducir' means to insert or to introduce a topic, not to introduce a person (that's 'presentar'). It is never used for recommendations.
Use instead: Use 'recomendar' for recommendations and 'presentar' for introducing people (e.g., 'Te presento a mi amigo').
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'I would like...'
After someone gives a recommendation, you'll need to say what you want. 'Quisiera...' is the polite way to do this.
How to ask 'How much is it?'
Once you've received a recommendation for a product or service, asking for the price is the natural next step.
How to say 'Thank you for your help'
It's essential to know how to thank someone properly after they've taken the time to give you a recommendation.
How to ask 'Do you have...?'
This is another key phrase for shopping or ordering, allowing you to ask for specific items.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz: Can you recommend...?
Question 1 of 3
You're at a nice restaurant in Colombia and want to ask the waiter for a suggestion. What is the most appropriate phrase to use?
Use phrases naturally, not mechanically
Knowing a phrase is one thing — using it at the right moment is another. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see phrases in the contexts where they actually belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between '¿Me puede recomendar?' and '¿Me puedes recomendar?'
It's all about formality. '¿Me puede...?' uses 'usted' (formal you) and is for people you don't know, elders, or authority figures like a boss or hotel staff. '¿Me puedes...?' uses 'tú' (informal you) and is for friends, family, and peers. When in doubt, always start with the formal 'puede'.
Is it rude to just say '¿Qué me recomienda?'
Not at all! While it might sound very direct in English ('What do you recommend me?'), it's a completely normal, polite, and common way to ask for a suggestion in Spanish. It's especially useful at a restaurant when you want the waiter's top pick from the menu.
How do I ask for a recommendation for someone else?
You simply change the pronoun. To ask for a recommendation for 'him' or 'her' (in the formal 'usted' sense), you'd say '¿Le puede recomendar...?'. For example, '¿Le puede recomendar un taxi a mi jefe?' (Can you recommend a taxi to my boss?).
What's the difference between 'recomendar', 'sugerir', and 'aconsejar'?
'Recomendar' is the most common and means 'to recommend'. 'Sugerir' means 'to suggest' and is a good alternative, sometimes sounding a bit more formal. 'Aconsejar' means 'to advise' and implies you're seeking more serious guidance or expert opinion, not just a casual suggestion.
Can I leave out the 'Me' and just say '¿Puede recomendar un restaurante?'
While a native speaker would understand you, it sounds unnatural. The 'me' is crucial because it specifies who the recommendation is for. Always try to include it: '¿Me puede recomendar...?' is much better.
How do I respond after someone gives me a recommendation?
A simple 'Gracias' or 'Muchas gracias' is always great. You can also add more detail, like 'Suena bien, gracias' (Sounds good, thanks) or 'Gracias por la recomendación' (Thanks for the recommendation).
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