empiehlt

Empfehlen is a German verb meaning to recommend. The form empiehlt is the third-person singular present tense form of this verb. In standard conjugation, the present tense forms are: ich empfehle, du empfiehlst, er empfiehlt, wir empfehlen, ihr empfehlt, sie empfehlen. The verb belongs to the class of verbs with a stem change in the second and third person singular and is considered inseparable in its prefix emp-.

Usage and syntax

Empfehlen is used with a direct object for what is being recommended and usually with a dative recipient: jemandem etwas empfehlen. For example: Ich empfehle dir dieses Buch. Der Testbericht empfiehlt dieses Modell. The structure can also appear in a general sense: Es wird empfohlen, früh zu schlafen oder Es wird empfohlen, dieses Formular auszufüllen.

Common phrases and idioms

A common expression is Ich kann es nur empfehlen, meaning I can only recommend it. Another frequent pattern is eine Empfehlung aussprechen, meaning to issue a recommendation. In formal or public contexts, passive constructions such as Es wird empfohlen are common.

Conjugation notes and related forms

Empfehlen forms a strong verb with a present tense stem change in the 2nd and 3rd person singular. The past tense is empfahl (Präteritum) and the perfect is hat empfohlen. The verb is used to advise, endorse, or suggest a course of action or a product, often with emphasis on trust or authority of the recommender.