1.
letter of recommendation; reference letter
A formal written document recommending a person for a position, program, or honor. Commonly required for university applications, job applications, and scholarship applications in Japan.
教授に推薦書を頼んだ。
I asked the professor for a letter of recommendation.
大学院の出願には推薦書が二通必要だ。
Two letters of recommendation are required for the graduate school application.
推薦書の締め切りは来月の末です。
The deadline for the recommendation letter is the end of next month.
上司に書いてもらった推薦書のおかげで、転職がうまくいった。
Thanks to the letter of recommendation my boss wrote for me, my job change went smoothly.
Composed of 推薦 (recommendation) and 書 (document, letter). Often used interchangeably with 推薦状, which uses 状 (letter, document) instead of 書. Both are common and correct.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 推薦書を書く: to write a letter of recommendation
- 推薦書を頼む: to request a letter of recommendation
- 推薦書を提出する: to submit a letter of recommendation
- 推薦書が必要: a recommendation letter is required
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 推薦状: letter of recommendation — same meaning; uses 状 instead of 書
- 推薦: recommendation — the act of recommending; broader meaning
- 紹介状: letter of introduction — introduces a person rather than recommending them