How to give advice or recommendations in Spanish: explanation and examples

Giving advice in Spanish is one of the most useful communicative functions in everyday life. Imagine a friend tells you: “Me encuentro mal” (“I don’t feel well”). What would you say? There are different ways to give recommendations in Spanish, some more direct and others more polite.

Here are the main structures you can use, with examples.

1. Giving advice with the imperative.

This is the most direct way.

• Descansa un poco. → Rest a little.
• Come más fruta. → Eat more fruit.
• Haz los deberes ahora. → Do your homework now.

2. Giving advice with deber or tener que + infinitive.

Less direct than the imperative, but still very clear.

• Tienes que beber más agua. → You have to drink more water.
• Deberías estudiar más para el examen. → You should study more for the exam.
• Tienes que dormir al menos ocho horas. → You need to sleep at least eight hours.

3. Giving advice with aconsejar, recomendar, sugerir or lo mejor es…

You can use these with que + subjunctive or with the infinitive.

• Te aconsejo que vayas al médico. → I advise you to go to the doctor.
• Te recomiendo ir al médico. → I recommend going to the doctor.
• Lo mejor es que descanses un rato. → The best thing is that you rest for a while.
• Lo mejor es dormir bien. → The best thing is to sleep well.
• Sugiero que hables con tu profesor. → I suggest you talk to your teacher.
• Te recomiendo leer este libro. → I recommend you read this book.

4. Giving advice with the conditional.

This makes the advice sound softer and more personal.

• Yo que tú, estudiaría más. → If I were you, I would study more.
• Yo de ti, hablaría con mis padres. → If I were you, I’d talk to my parents.
• Yo en tu lugar, descansaría un poco. → In your place, I would rest a bit.
• Yo que tú, no lo haría. → If I were you, I wouldn’t do it.

5. Giving advice with ¿Y si + present?

A very natural way in everyday Spanish.

• ¿Y si estudias un poco cada día? → What if you study a little every day?
• ¿Y si llamas a tu amiga? → What if you call your friend?
• ¿Y si hacemos los deberes juntos? → What if we do the homework together?

6. Giving advice with ¿Por qué no + present?

Another common and friendly way.

• ¿Por qué no vas al médico? → Why don’t you go to the doctor?
• ¿Por qué no llamas a tu amigo? → Why don’t you call your friend?
• ¿Por qué no sales a caminar? → Why don’t you go for a walk?
• ¿Por qué no pruebas este plato típico? → Why don’t you try this typical dish?

Comparte esta entrada: