French Phrase
Tu me recommandes quels vins ?
Meaning
You are asking someone to suggest which wines they think you should try. The phrase is informal and assumes a friendly relationship with the listener.
When to use
Use this sentence in a wine bar, restaurant, or boutique when you want a personal recommendation. It works well with a sommelier, a knowledgeable friend, or a shop assistant you know well.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tumerecommandesquelsvins?
Subject pronoun (Tu)
‘Tu’ is the informal singular subject pronoun used with friends, family, or in casual settings.
Indirect object pronoun (me)
‘Me’ replaces ‘to me’ and is placed before the conjugated verb in a declarative sentence.
Verb conjugation (recommander)
‘Recommander’ is a regular -er verb; in the present tense with ‘tu’ it becomes ‘recommandes’.
Interrogative adjective (quels)
‘Quels’ agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies; here it is masculine plural to match ‘vins’.
Noun (vins)
‘Vins’ is the plural of ‘vin’ (wine). In a question it follows the interrogative adjective.
Question word order
In spoken French the order ‘Tu me recommandes quels vins?’ is natural; in formal written French you may invert: ‘Quels vins me recommandes‑tu ?’
🗨In Conversation
Tu me recommandes quels vins ?
Which wines do you recommend to me?
Je te conseille le Pinot Noir et le Chardonnay, ils sont très populaires aujourd’hui.
I recommend the Pinot Noir and the Chardonnay; they’re very popular right now.
✕Common Mistakes
Tu me recommandes quel vins ?
‘Quel’ is singular; the noun ‘vins’ is plural, so you must use ‘quels’.
Tu me recommandes quels vins ?
In very formal written French the preferred order is ‘Quels vins me recommandes‑tu ?’. The inversion avoids the informal ‘tu’ before the verb.
Tu me recommander quels vins ?
Do not use the infinitive after ‘tu’; you need the conjugated form ‘recommandes’.
↔Alternatives
Quels vins me conseilles‑tu ?
Which wines do you advise me to try?
Tu pourrais me suggérer des vins ?
Could you suggest some wines to me?
Quel vin me recommandes‑tu ?
Which wine do you recommend to me?
Cultural Tip
In France wine is often a social ritual. When speaking to a sommelier or a stranger in a formal setting, switch to the polite ‘vous’: ‘Quels vins me recommandez‑vous ?’. Also, it’s customary to thank the person and perhaps comment on the region or grape variety you’re interested in, showing you respect the expertise.