建议 (jiànyì)

建议 means to suggest or recommend something. It is commonly used to offer advice, make proposals in meetings, or put forward ideas for consideration. It is polite and constructive in tone, making it suitable for both professional and social contexts.

Meanings

[verb] To suggest; to recommend; to propose.
[noun] Suggestion; recommendation; proposal.

Example Sentences

我建议大家在做决定之前先充分讨论。 Wǒ jiànyì dàjiā zài zuò juédìng zhīqián xiān chōngfèn tǎolùn. I suggest everyone discuss thoroughly before making a decision.

他提出了几条很有价值的建议。 Tā tíchū le jǐ tiáo hěn yǒu jiàzhí de jiànyì. He put forward several valuable suggestions.

公司采纳了员工的建议，改善了工作环境。 Gōngsī cǎinà le yuángōng de jiànyì, gǎishàn le gōngzuò huánjìng. The company adopted the employees' suggestions and improved the work environment.

医生建议他每天坚持锻炼，保持健康的生活方式。 Yīshēng jiànyì tā měitiān jiānchí duànliàn, bǎochí jiànkāng de shēnghuó fāngshì. The doctor recommended that he exercise every day and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
提出建议	put forward a suggestion
采纳建议	adopt a suggestion
合理建议	reasonable suggestion
建议书	written proposal; letter of recommendation
听取建议	take suggestions; listen to advice

Usage Notes

As a verb, 建议 is followed by either a noun phrase or a full clause: 我建议你去看医生 (I suggest you see a doctor). It is softer than 命令 (mìnglìng, to order) and more formal than 说 (to say). When writing formal proposals, the noun form 建议 is used: 提交建议 (submit a proposal), 征求建议 (solicit suggestions).

Memory Hook

建 means "to build/establish" and 议 means "to discuss/deliberate." A suggestion is a proposal you build and put before others for deliberation — you are constructing an idea and inviting debate.