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empfehlen. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
empfehlen, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
empfehlen in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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German
Etymology
From Middle High German enpfelhen, enphelhen, entfelhen, intfelhen, from Old High German intfelhan, intfelahan, from int- + felhan (“to preserve; entrust; confide in; surrender”).
Pronunciation
Verb
empfehlen (class 4 strong, third-person singular present empfiehlt, past tense empfahl, past participle empfohlen, past subjunctive empfähle or empföhle, auxiliary haben)
- to propose, to advise in favor of
- (transitive) to recommend; to advocate
- (reflexive) to demonstrate one’s merits, to approve oneself
Aufgrund ihrer bisherigen Arbeit empfiehlt sich die Fachkraft für die Beförderung.- In view of their previous work, the specialist merits the promotion.
- (reflexive–transitive, with dative case) to demonstrate one’s merits to (someone or something), to approve oneself to (someone or something)
Aufgrund ihrer bisherigen Arbeit empfiehlt sich die Fachkraft dem Unternehmen.- Their previous work shows the specialist to be a worthy candidate for the company.
- sich Gott empfehlen ― to approve oneself to god
- (reflexive) to offer oneself or one’s services
- (transitive) to commend
Lügner empfehlen keine Prüfung.- Liars invite no scrutiny.
- (ditransitive, with accusative and dative case, formal) to entrust (someone or something) to (something)
- sein Kind der Fürsorge eines Fremden empfehlen ― to entrust one’s child to a stranger’s care
- (reflexive, dated, formal) to take one's leave
- Synonym: verabschieden
1924, Thomas Mann, Der Zauberberg [The Magic Mountain], volume 1, Berlin: S. Fischer, page 135:„Er ist natürlich scharf geladen“, fuhr Herr Albin fort. […] „Ich halte ihn in Bereitschaft für den Tag, wo mir dieser Trödel hier zu langweilig wird und wo ich die Ehre haben werde, mich ergebenst zu empfehlen.- “Of course it’s loaded,” continued Mr. Albin. “I keep it at the ready for the day this useless stuff here gets too boring for me and I have the honor of humbly taking my leave.”
Conjugation
Conjugation of
empfehlen (class 4
strong, auxiliary
haben)
1Rare except in very formal contexts; alternative in würde normally preferred.
Composed forms of
empfehlen (class 4
strong, auxiliary
haben)
Related terms
Further reading