勧める・薦める・奨める|すすめるsusumeru[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
勧める勧める is the most common kanji-kana spelling and the form beginners should normally use when writing.
薦める薦める is a less common kanji-kana spelling of the same word. It can be recognized as a variant, but 勧める is the safer choice for learners.
奨める奨める is a rarely used kanji-kana spelling. Learners will seldom need to use it; 勧める is the recommended choice instead.
Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto recommend (someone to do); to advise; to encourage; to urge
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto recommend (a book, someone for a position, etc.); to suggestesp. 薦める
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto offer (a drink, cigarette, seat, etc.)
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 勧める（すすめる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 勧めます（すすめます） |
| Negative (nai) | 勧めない（すすめない） |
| polite (masen) | 勧めません（すすめません） |
| classical zu / nu | 勧めず・勧めぬ（すすめず・すすめぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 勧めた（すすめた） |
| polite (mashita) | 勧めました（すすめました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 勧めなかった（すすめなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 勧めませんでした（すすめませんでした） |
| Te form | 勧めて（すすめて） |
| Potential | 勧められる（すすめられる） |
| Passive | 勧められる（すすめられる） |
| Causative | 勧めさせる（すすめさせる） |
| Causative passive | 勧めさせられる（すすめさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 勧めれば（すすめれば） |
| tara | 勧めたら（すすめたら） |
| Volitional | 勧めよう（すすめよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 勧めましょう（すすめましょう） |
| Imperative | 勧めろ（すすめろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym勧告かんこくWrittenSolemn advice that something should be done, mostly in official or formal settings (「退職を勧告する」); more forceful than 「勧める」. A written, formal word.
- Synonym奨励しょうれいWrittenA formal written word for promoting an activity as a good thing (「貯蓄を奨励する」); typical of governments, companies and schools. More formal than 「勧める」.
- Synonym推奨すいしょうWrittenRecommends something as worth adopting (「推奨環境」), mainly for products or plans; not used for offering a drink or a seat. A written/formal word.
- Synonym勧奨かんしょうWrittenWritten word for urging someone to do something (「退職勧奨」); seen mostly in personnel and administrative documents.
- RelatedアドバイスNeutralLoanword for advice (「アドバイスをもらう」); the point is giving an opinion, while 「勧める」 urges someone to act.
- Related励ますはげますNeutralEncourages with words (「受験生を励ます」); supports the person, whereas 「勧める」 nudges them toward an action.
- Related鼓舞こぶWrittenRouses and inspires morale (「士気を鼓舞する」); a strongly written/formal word, usually about groups.
- Related推挙すいきょWrittenRecommends a person for a post (「会長に推挙する」); the object is limited to candidates. A formal, written word.
- Related助言じょげんWrittenWritten/formal word for advice given from alongside (「専門家の助言」); the point is offering ideas to help someone in doubt.
- Related推薦すいせんNeutralRecommends a good person or thing to others (「推薦状」「推薦入試」); more formal than 「勧める」.
- Related激励げきれいWrittenA written word for spurring someone on (「激励会」「選手を激励する」); more formal than 「励ます」, for solemn occasions, with no sense of recommending.
- Related推すおすNeutralBacks or puts forward a person or thing (「候補者に推す」), and can mean to infer; not used to urge someone to act.
- Related忠告ちゅうこくWrittenSincerely urges someone to correct bad behavior (「忠告に従う」); carries a warning tone. A written, formal word.
- Related進言しんげんWrittenWritten word for offering opinions to a superior (「社長に進言する」); used only toward those above you.
- Related提案ていあんNeutralPuts forward a plan or idea (「新しい企画を提案する」); about offering ideas, while 「勧める」 urges acceptance.
- Related提言ていげんWrittenA written word for publicly putting forward views (「政策提言」); used by institutions and experts, more formal than 「提案」.
- Related力づけるちからづけるNeutralGives someone strength and confidence — about moral support; 「勧める」 is about urging a person to do something.
- Related勇気づけるゆうきづけるNeutralFills someone with courage (「友の言葉に勇気づけられる」); purely about cheering on, with no sense of recommending.
- Related元気づけるげんきづけるNeutralLifts a dispirited person's spirits; about cheering up, not the recommending or inviting that 「勧める」 does.
- Related鼓吹こすいWrittenWritten word for loudly advocating a cause or rousing morale (「愛国心を鼓吹する」); often has a propaganda feel.
- Related督励とくれいWrittenRare written word for supervising and spurring subordinates on; in daily speech say 「励ます」 or 「激励する」.
- Antonym止めるとめるNeutralStops someone from doing something (「喧嘩を止める」); opposite of 「勧める」 in that it urges a person not to act.
- Antonym諌めるいさめるWrittenWritten word for remonstrating with a superior not to do wrong; where 「勧める」 urges action, this urges restraint.
Default to 「勧める」 for urging someone to act, recommending a thing or person, or offering a seat or drink. For giving opinions use 「アドバイス」 or 「助言」; for cheering someone on, 「励ます」; for formal recommendation, 「推薦」; for official, forceful advice, 「勧告」. Most others are narrower written words: 「奨励」 promotes a practice, 「推奨」 endorses products, 「推挙」 nominates to a post, 「鼓舞」/「激励」 rouse spirit, 「忠告」 warns, 「進言」 addresses superiors, 「提案」/「提言」 propose, and 「止める」/「諌める」 urge someone not to act.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
