How to say “What do you suggest?” in Spanish

Introduction

Learning how to ask for suggestions in Spanish is a practical and essential skill for anyone studying the language. Whether you are at a restaurant trying to decide what to order, shopping for gifts, or seeking advice from friends, knowing how to say what do you suggest in Spanish will help you navigate social situations with confidence and ease. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various ways to express this request, from the most common phrases to more nuanced alternatives, along with practical examples and cultural insights that will enhance your Spanish communication skills.

The Most Common Way: ¿Qué me Sugieres?

The most straightforward and widely used way to ask what do you suggest in Spanish is ¿Qué me sugieres? This phrase literally translates to what do you suggest to me and is perfect for informal conversations with friends, family members, or colleagues. The word sugieres comes from the verb sugerir, which means to suggest.

To use ¿Qué me sugieres? correctly, remember that this is the informal second person singular form. You would use this when talking to someone you know well or someone your age. For example, if you are at a coffee shop with your friend, you might say:

¿Qué me sugieres? Tengo hambre pero no sé qué pedir.
(What do you suggest? I am hungry but I do not know what to order.)

Your friend might respond with Te sugiero los tacos de pollo (I suggest the chicken tacos) or Yo te recomendaría la sopa (I would recommend the soup).

The Formal Alternative: ¿Qué Me Sugiere?

When speaking with someone you need to address formally, such as a boss, teacher, elderly person, or stranger, you should use ¿Qué me sugiere? instead. This is the formal second person singular form using the usted pronoun, which shows respect and professionalism.

For instance, if you are meeting with your supervisor about a business decision, you could ask:

Señor González, tengo dos opciones para este proyecto. ¿Qué me sugiere?
(Mr. González, I have two options for this project. What do you suggest?)

The formal version ¿Qué me sugiere? maintains a respectful tone appropriate for professional environments, academic settings, or interactions with people you do not know well.

Using ¿Qué Recomendaciones Tienes? or ¿Qué Recomendaciones Tiene?

Another excellent alternative to express what do you suggest in Spanish is to use the word recomendaciones, which means recommendations. The phrase ¿Qué recomendaciones tienes? is informal and very natural sounding, while ¿Qué recomendaciones tiene? is the formal version.

These phrases are slightly different in nuance from the direct suggestion form because recommendations often imply a stronger endorsement based on personal experience or expertise. For example, in a travel context:

Estoy visitando Madrid por primera vez. ¿Qué recomendaciones tienes para los mejores sitios turísticos?
(I am visiting Madrid for the first time. What recommendations do you have for the best tourist sites?)

Using recomendaciones can feel slightly more sophisticated and is commonly heard in hospitality, travel, and customer service contexts.

The Verb ¿Qué Me Recomiendas? and ¿Qué Me Recomienda?

The verb recomendar means to recommend, and the phrases ¿Qué me recomiendas? (informal) and ¿Qué me recomienda? (formal) are extremely common ways to ask for suggestions in Spanish. In many Spanish-speaking regions, these might even be preferred over the sugerir versions.

Both forms are widely understood and used in everyday conversation. You might hear them in restaurants, shops, travel agencies, and many other settings:

Mesero, es mi primer día aquí. ¿Qué me recomiendas de la carta?
(Waiter, it is my first day here. What do you recommend from the menu?)

The response might be Le recomiendo el ceviche (I recommend the ceviche) or Te recomiendo probar el arroz con pollo (I recommend you try the chicken and rice).

More Casual Phrases: ¿Qué Tal Si…? or ¿Por Qué No…?

For very casual conversations, Spanish speakers often use ¿Qué tal si…? which means how about if or what if, and ¿Por qué no…? which means why not. These are not direct questions asking for suggestions but rather ways of offering suggestions yourself.

However, you can also use these structures to invite suggestions:

¿Qué tal si me dices qué te parece mejor?
(How about you tell me what seems better to you?)

Or simply:

¿Y tú? ¿Qué me sugieres? ¿Por qué no me dices qué prefieres?
(And you? What do you suggest? Why do not you tell me what you prefer?)

Regional Variations and Nuances

It is worth noting that different Spanish-speaking regions may have slight variations in how people typically ask for suggestions. In Spain, both ¿Qué me sugieres? and ¿Qué me recomiendas? are equally common. In Latin America, ¿Qué me recomiendas? might be slightly more prevalent in everyday speech.

Additionally, some regions use ¿Qué me aconsejas? which uses the verb aconsejar (to advise). This form emphasizes asking for advice rather than just a suggestion, making it appropriate when you want someone’s professional or knowledgeable opinion.

In certain contexts, you might also hear ¿Cuál me sugieres? or ¿Cuál me recomiendas? when choosing between specific options already mentioned. The use of cuál instead of qué emphasizes selection from defined choices.

Contextual Examples and Responses

Understanding how native speakers respond to these questions will help you continue the conversation naturally. When someone asks you ¿Qué me sugieres?, you might respond with:

Te sugiero que… (I suggest that you…)
Te recomiendo… (I recommend…)
Yo que tú… (If I were you…)
Mi consejo es… (My advice is…)
No te pierdas… (Do not miss…)

For instance, if asked about weekend activities:

¿Qué me sugieres para el fin de semana?
(What do you suggest for the weekend?)

A good response might be:

Te sugiero que vayas al cine. Hay una película excelente esta semana.
(I suggest that you go to the movies. There is an excellent film this week.)

Tips for Natural Communication

When asking for suggestions in Spanish, pay attention to the context and your relationship with the person. Use the informal versions with friends and peers, and reserve the formal versions for professional, academic, or unfamiliar contexts.

Additionally, make your request more specific when possible. Instead of just asking ¿Qué me sugieres?, you might say ¿Qué me sugieres para comer sano? (What do you suggest for eating healthy?) or ¿Qué me recomiendas para aprender español rápidamente? (What do you recommend for learning Spanish quickly?). Providing context helps the other person give you more relevant and useful suggestions.

Remember that in Spanish-speaking cultures, asking for advice and suggestions is a common and valued practice in social interactions. Native speakers appreciate when learners make the effort to ask these questions correctly and naturally.

Conclusion

Knowing how to ask what do you suggest in Spanish opens doors to more meaningful conversations and practical interactions in Spanish-speaking environments. From the informal ¿Qué me sugieres? to the formal ¿Qué me sugiere?, and the popular alternatives using recomendar and aconsejar, you now have multiple tools to express this request appropriately. Whether you are ordering food, seeking travel advice, or making business decisions, these phrases will serve you well. Practice using them in different contexts, pay attention to how native speakers respond, and you will find yourself becoming increasingly comfortable asking for and receiving suggestions in Spanish. The more you use these expressions naturally, the more fluent and confident you will become in your Spanish communication journey.