How to Say ‘What do you recommend?’ in Japanese
何がおすすめですか？
nani ga o susume desu ka
[na-ni ga oh soo-SOO-meh dess ka]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Asking staff or a colleague for their pick is completely normal at an izakaya, and staff will happily point you to a house specialty or seasonal drink.
Phrase Breakdown
何
nani
[na-ni]
what
Used to ask for information about something.
何が欲しい？
What do you want?
が
ga
[ga]
subject marker
A particle marking the subject of the sentence.
興味がある分野を教えてください。
Please tell me the field you are interested in.
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
お adds politeness to certain words and expressions.
チケットを二枚お願いします。
Two tickets, please.
すすめ
susume
[soo-SOO-meh]
recommendation
From susumeru 'to recommend'; with o it means a recommended item.
今日のおすすめは何ですか？
What is today's recommendation?
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
か
ka
[ka]
question particle
Used to create a yes/no question in informal speech.
行くか？
Shall we go?
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