Anraten vs. raten vs. zuraten vs. empfehlen

Question

Anraten vs. raten vs. zuraten vs. empfehlen — all these verbs mean to advise, to recomend. But anyway, is there any difference between these verbs? Are there any places, where I can use the one, but not the other?

Answer 1

• raten: more advise than recommend. With a bit of certainty, “I know what is best, do X”. (Be sure to use a dative object (whom do you advise, wem rätst du etwas) or it can mean guess.)
• empfehlen: recommend. More subjective than “raten”, ”I like Y best, try that”.
• anraten, zuraten: sound old-fashioned. Seldom used nowadays.

Also

• beraten: counsel, advise. “Tell me what you want and I’ll tell you how“.