To Recommend
transitive verb, ichidan verb
Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means recommend so the verb vocab version is to recommend. This word is often used in a positive context for recommending things, actions, and people by implying or pointing out their charms and/or merits.
Although 薦める and 勧める are similar, there are subtle differences between the two. 勧める is often used to suggest that someone perform a specific action, often as friendly advice or encouragement. It can also be used when offering something, such as a drink. On the other hand, 薦める is used to recommend a person or thing as suitable for a particular situation, with a focus on endorsing the subject rather than a specific action.
This has the same reading as 勧める, since they mean almost the same thing.
この番組を彼に薦められたんだけど、アニメを観るのはあまり好きじゃないんだよね。
He recommended this show to me, but I don’t really like watching anime.
コウイチが美味しいと薦めてきたクラブケーキを食べてみたらすごく不味かった。
Koichi said the crab cakes were delicious and recommended them; when I tried them they tasted terrible.
ミステリーファンにはこの映画を見ることを薦めます。
I recommend mystery fans go see this movie.