empfohlen

Empfohlen is the past participle of the German verb empfehlen, which means to recommend or advise. In everyday language it appears as a form of the participle and as an adjective, and it is commonly translated into English as "recommended."

Etymology and form: The word originates from the verb empfehlen, formed with the prefix emp- attached to feh- from the older verb fehlen. As a participle it combines with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses (ich habe empfohlen). In dependent (attributive) or predicative use it functions as an adjective meaning that something is advised or suggested by someone.

Usage and grammar: Empfohlen is used in two main ways. As a participle/adjective, it describes a noun and agrees in gender, number, and case. For example: das empfohlene Verfahren (the recommended procedure), die empfohlenen Maßnahmen (the recommended measures). After a definite article the ending is typically -e in neuter singular and -en in plural (das empfohlene Verfahren, die empfohlenen Maßnahmen). After an indefinite article you would encounter forms like ein empfohlenes Verfahren. It is also used in impersonal phrases such as Es wird empfohlen (It is recommended), which is common in manuals, guidelines, and official statements.

Related terms and nuance: The related noun is Empfehlung (a recommendation). A closely related adjective is empfehlenswert, meaning "worth recommending" or "advisable." While empfohlen emphasizes that something has been recommended, empfehlenswert describes its value or advisability.

See also: empfehlen, Empfehlung, empfehlenswert, empfohlenes Verfahren.