Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun #1,500 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

conseil

Top 1,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces conseil en 30 secondes

Explication conseil in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'conseil' as a word for 'advice'. You will mostly use it in simple sentences like 'Merci pour le conseil' (Thanks for the advice). At this stage, the most important thing is to remember that it is a masculine noun ('un conseil') and that you can use it to ask for help: 'Un conseil, s'il vous plaît ?'. You might also see it in very basic contexts like 'conseils de voyage' (travel tips) in a brochure. You don't need to worry about the 'council' or 'board' meanings yet; just focus on the idea of a helpful suggestion. Remember that in French, you can have 'un' conseil, which is different from English where you can't say 'an advice'. This is a great word to practice your masculine articles and basic verbs like 'donner' (to give) and 'écouter' (to listen to). Try to use it when talking about your hobbies or daily routine, for example, 'Mon ami me donne des conseils pour le tennis'. This level is all about building the foundation of the word as a common, everyday noun used for friendly help and suggestions.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'conseil' in more varied structures and understand its role in common phrases. You should be able to use verbs like 'suivre' (to follow) or 'demander' (to ask) with it. For example, 'Je demande conseil à mon père'. You also start to see 'conseil' in school contexts, like the 'conseil de classe'. You are expected to handle the plural 'des conseils' correctly and use basic adjectives with it, such as 'un bon conseil' or 'un conseil utile'. You might encounter the idiom 'La nuit porte conseil' (Sleep on it) and understand its general meaning. At A2, you are moving beyond just 'advice' and starting to see how the word fits into French culture, particularly in the education system. You should also be comfortable using the verb 'conseiller' and distinguishing it from the noun 'conseil'. For instance, 'Il me conseille de manger des fruits' (He advises me to eat fruit) vs 'C'est un bon conseil' (It's a good piece of advice). This level requires a bit more precision in grammar and a wider range of vocabulary to describe what the advice is about.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'conseil' in professional and semi-formal contexts. You understand that it can mean 'council' or 'board', such as 'le conseil municipal' or 'le conseil d'administration'. You can discuss more complex topics and give advice using more sophisticated structures: 'Si j'étais vous, je suivrais ce conseil'. You also begin to distinguish between 'conseil' and its synonyms like 'avis' or 'astuce'. You might use it in writing to structure a paragraph, such as 'Voici quelques conseils pour améliorer votre productivité'. At this level, you should also be aware of the role of a 'conseiller' in various fields (financial, orientation, etc.). Your ability to use the word should extend to idiomatic expressions and more nuanced adjectives like 'précieux' (precious/valuable) or 'judicieux' (judicious). You are expected to understand the word when it appears in news reports about government meetings or international organizations like the UN Security Council. B1 learners should also be able to explain why they are giving a certain 'conseil', using connecting words like 'parce que' or 'puisque'.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B2 level, you have a firm grasp of 'conseil' in all its meanings, including its legal and institutional nuances. You can participate in debates and offer 'des conseils' with conviction, using advanced grammatical moods like the conditional or the subjunctive in related clauses. You understand the difference between 'un conseil' (advice) and 'le conseil' (the legal counsel/lawyer). You can use the word in formal letters or reports, for example, 'Le conseil que je peux vous donner est de diversifier vos investissements'. You are familiar with the 'Conseil d'État' and other French institutions. Your vocabulary includes related terms like 'préconisation' or 'recommandation', and you know when to use them instead of 'conseil' to achieve a specific register. You can also handle the abstract use of the word, such as 'agir avec conseil' (to act with deliberation). At B2, you are expected to understand the subtle difference between 'demander conseil' (to seek general guidance) and 'demander un conseil' (to ask for one specific tip). Your listening skills allow you to follow fast-paced discussions where 'conseil' might refer to a board's decision or a friend's suggestion interchangeably.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, you use 'conseil' with the precision of a native speaker. You are aware of its etymological roots and how they influence its modern usage in legal and administrative French. You can analyze the rhetoric of 'conseil' in political speeches or classical literature. You understand the historical significance of various 'Conseils' in French history, such as the 'Conseil du Roi'. In professional settings, you can lead a 'conseil d'administration' or act as a 'conseil' (legal advisor) with appropriate terminology. You can use the word in complex metaphorical ways and understand its use in proverbs and old-fashioned expressions. Your mastery of the word includes knowing when the article is omitted in formal or idiomatic structures. You can write long, persuasive texts where 'conseil' is used to build an argument or provide expert guidance. You are also sensitive to the register shifts, knowing when 'conseil' sounds too informal and when 'recommandation' or 'directive' is required. At this level, 'conseil' is not just a word but a concept that you can manipulate to express subtle shades of meaning in both spoken and written French.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, your understanding of 'conseil' is exhaustive. You can navigate the most complex legal texts where 'conseil' refers to specific judicial bodies or roles. You are familiar with the philosophical implications of 'conseil' as a form of moral guidance in French thought. You can appreciate the word's usage in the works of great French writers, from Montaigne to Proust, noting how its meaning has evolved or stayed constant. You can engage in high-level academic or professional discourse about 'le conseil' (the consulting industry) or 'le droit du conseil' (consultancy law). Your use of the word is flawless, including the most obscure idiomatic expressions and technical applications. You can effortlessly switch between the 'advice' meaning and the 'council' meaning in a single conversation without any confusion. For a C2 learner, 'conseil' is a deeply integrated part of their linguistic repertoire, used with total spontaneity and cultural awareness. You can even play with the word in puns or creative writing, fully aware of its multiple layers of meaning and historical baggage.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

conseil en 30 secondes

Conseil means advice (countable) or a council/board.
It is a masculine noun: le conseil, un conseil.
Commonly used with verbs like donner, suivre, and demander.
Used in both daily life and formal government/business contexts.

The French word conseil is a versatile masculine noun that primarily translates to 'advice' or 'counsel' in English. However, unlike the English word 'advice', which is uncountable, the French conseil is a countable noun. This means you can have 'un conseil' (one piece of advice) or 'des conseils' (pieces of advice/some advice). This fundamental grammatical difference is a common stumbling block for learners transitioning from English to French. Beyond the realm of personal suggestions, conseil also refers to a formal body of people, such as a 'council', 'board', or 'committee'. This dual nature allows it to function in both intimate, domestic settings and high-level corporate or governmental environments.

Personal Advice: In everyday conversation, it refers to an opinion or recommendation offered as a guide to action. For example, 'Je te donne un conseil' (I am giving you a piece of advice).

Si j'ai un conseil à te donner, c'est de partir tôt pour éviter les bouchons.

Institutional Council: It designates an assembly of persons summoned for consultation, deliberation, or administration, such as the 'Conseil municipal' (City Council) or 'Conseil d'administration' (Board of Directors).

The word originates from the Latin consilium, which carried meanings of deliberation, plan, and assembly. This historical root explains why the word today bridges the gap between a simple suggestion and a structured governing body. In a professional context, a conseiller (counselor/advisor) is someone whose job is to provide conseils. Whether you are seeking financial guidance from a 'conseiller financier' or legal help from a 'conseil juridique', the core concept remains the provision of expert information to aid decision-making.

Le conseil d'administration se réunira lundi prochain à dix heures.

Furthermore, 'conseil' can imply a sense of wisdom or prudence. To act with 'conseil' is to act with forethought. In literary or older French, you might encounter 'prendre conseil de quelqu'un', which means to consult someone. The breadth of this word is significant; it covers everything from a grandmother's tip on cooking to the complex deliberations of the 'Conseil de l'Europe'. Understanding this word requires recognizing whether it is being used as a suggestion (advice) or as a structure (council).

Elle suit toujours les conseils de son médecin pour rester en bonne santé.

Abstract Wisdom: In certain contexts, it refers to the abstract quality of being well-advised or the act of deliberating internally before acting.

La nuit porte conseil, il vaut mieux attendre demain pour décider.

Il a été élu au conseil municipal de sa ville lors des dernières élections.

Using conseil correctly involves mastering its grammatical properties and common verb pairings. As a masculine noun, it always takes masculine articles: le, un, ce, mon, ton, son. Because it is countable, you must distinguish between a single piece of advice and multiple suggestions. When you want to say 'I need some advice', you can say 'J'ai besoin d'un conseil' (one specific thing) or 'J'ai besoin de conseils' (general advice). Note that 'de conseils' uses the partitive-like structure but retains the plural nature of the noun.

Verb Pairings: Common verbs used with 'conseil' include: donner (to give), demander (to ask for), suivre (to follow), écouter (to listen to), and recevoir (to receive).

Tu devrais suivre le conseil de ton professeur pour réussir l'examen.

When using conseil to mean 'council', it is often part of a compound noun. In these cases, it is followed by a preposition (usually 'd'') and another noun. For example, 'Conseil de classe' (Class council in schools), 'Conseil de sécurité' (Security Council), or 'Conseil des ministres' (Cabinet meeting). In these formal settings, the word is often capitalized when referring to a specific, unique institution, such as the 'Conseil Constitutionnel' in France.

Adjective Agreement: Adjectives modifying 'conseil' must be masculine: 'un bon conseil', 'un conseil utile', 'des conseils précieux'.

Merci pour ce conseil très utile, je vais y réfléchir sérieusement.

In terms of syntax, when you give advice 'to' someone, you use the structure: donner un conseil à quelqu'un. If you are describing what the advice is about, you use 'sur' or 'pour': 'un conseil sur la gestion du temps' (advice on time management) or 'un conseil pour apprendre le français' (advice for learning French). In professional writing, 'conseil' can also refer to the service of providing advice, often used in the phrase 'société de conseil' (consulting firm).

Il travaille dans une grande société de conseil à Paris depuis trois ans.

Prepositional Usage: Use 'de' when the advice is a suggestion of an action: 'Le conseil de partir' (The advice to leave).

Elle a demandé conseil à son avocat avant de signer le contrat de vente.

Voici quelques conseils pour bien préparer votre voyage en France.

You will encounter the word conseil in a vast array of contexts, from the most mundane daily interactions to the highest levels of political discourse. In a domestic setting, parents frequently give conseils to their children. Friends exchange conseils about relationships, fashion, or technology. If you are watching a French lifestyle show or reading a blog, you will almost certainly see headlines like '10 conseils pour perdre du poids' (10 tips for losing weight) or 'Nos conseils pour un jardin magnifique'. In these instances, conseil is synonymous with 'tip' or 'hint'.

In Education: In French schools, the 'Conseil de classe' is a pivotal meeting where teachers, student delegates, and parent representatives discuss the progress of each student in a specific class.

Le conseil de classe a décidé que l'élève pouvait passer en classe supérieure.

In the professional world, 'conseil' is everywhere. If you work in business, you will hear about the 'Conseil d'administration' (Board of Directors) making strategic decisions. Consultants, known as 'consultants' or 'conseillers', provide their expertise to companies. In legal settings, a 'conseil' can refer to a legal advisor or even the collective group of lawyers representing a party. The phrase 'être de bon conseil' is a common compliment for someone who consistently provides wise and helpful suggestions.

In Politics: The French government operates through various councils, most notably the 'Conseil des ministres', which meets weekly at the Élysée Palace.

Le Président de la République préside le conseil des ministres chaque mercredi.

In the media, you will often hear 'Le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU' (The UN Security Council) mentioned in international news reports. In the medical field, a doctor might give you 'des conseils d'hygiène de vie' (lifestyle advice). Even in the world of finance, 'conseil en investissement' (investment advice) is a standard term. The word is so ubiquitous because it covers the entire spectrum of human guidance, from a casual 'By the way...' to a binding legal resolution.

Il a sollicité un conseil juridique pour régler son litige avec son employeur.

In Daily Idioms: You might hear 'Suivez mon conseil' (Follow my advice) or 'Un petit conseil...' (A little tip...) in casual chats.

Écoute bien ce conseil : n'achète jamais une voiture sans l'essayer avant.

Le conseil de l'Europe siège à Strasbourg et défend les droits de l'homme.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with conseil is treating it as an uncountable noun. In English, we say 'some advice' or 'a piece of advice', but never 'an advice'. In French, you MUST use an article or a number: 'un conseil', 'deux conseils', 'quelques conseils'. Saying 'Je veux de conseil' (incorrect) instead of 'Je veux un conseil' or 'Je veux des conseils' is a hallmark of a beginner's error. Always remember: in French, advice is something you can count.

Gender Errors: Learners sometimes mistakenly treat 'conseil' as feminine. It is strictly masculine. Avoid saying 'la conseil' or 'une bonne conseil'. It is always 'le conseil' and 'un bon conseil'.

Incorrect: Elle m'a donné une conseil. Correct: Elle m'a donné un conseil.

Another common confusion arises between the noun conseil and the verb conseiller. While 'conseil' is the thing you give, 'conseiller' is the action of giving it. Learners often mix up the spelling or the usage. For example, saying 'Je te conseil de...' is a spelling error; it should be 'Je te conseille de...' (the verb form). Conversely, saying 'C'est un bon conseille' is incorrect; it should be 'C'est un bon conseil' (the noun form). Pay close attention to the final 'e' in the verb form.

Confusing with 'Avis': While 'conseil' is a recommendation for action, 'avis' is an opinion. If you ask 'Quel est ton conseil ?', you are asking what you should do. If you ask 'Quel est ton avis ?', you are asking what they think about something.

À mon avis, ce n'est pas une bonne idée, mais je n'ai pas de conseil à te donner.

In professional settings, people sometimes confuse 'conseiller' (the person) with 'conseil' (the act or the body). If you are hiring a consultant, you are hiring a 'conseiller'. If you are seeking their expertise, you are seeking 'du conseil' or 'des conseils'. Also, in the phrase 'société de conseil', 'conseil' is singular because it refers to the field of consulting as a whole. Using the plural 'société de conseils' is less common and often considered slightly off in a formal business context.

Il a fait appel à un conseiller fiscal pour optimiser ses impôts cette année.

Preposition Pitfalls: Avoid saying 'conseil de faire'. The correct structure is 'conseiller de faire' (verb) or 'le conseil de faire' (noun), but 'donner un conseil à quelqu'un'.

Mon conseil est de rester calme malgré la situation difficile.

Le conseil d'administration a rejeté la proposition de fusion.

To truly master conseil, it is helpful to compare it with related terms that occupy similar semantic spaces. The most common synonym for 'conseil' in the sense of a tip is astuce. While 'conseil' is broad and can be very serious, 'astuce' usually refers to a clever trick, a 'hack', or a practical shortcut. You might give a 'conseil' on how to save for retirement, but an 'astuce' on how to remove a wine stain from a carpet.

Conseil vs. Avis: As mentioned, 'avis' is an opinion. 'À mon avis' means 'In my opinion'. 'Selon mon conseil' would mean 'Following my advice'. Use 'avis' when you want to know what someone thinks of a movie; use 'conseil' when you want to know if you should go see it.

J'ai besoin de ton avis sur cette robe, mais donne-moi aussi un conseil pour les chaussures.

Another related term is recommandation. This is often more formal than 'conseil'. A 'lettre de recommandation' is a letter of recommendation. In a professional report, you would provide 'des recommandations' rather than 'des petits conseils'. There is also suggestion, which is softer and less directive than 'conseil'. A suggestion is something to be considered, whereas a 'conseil' often carries the weight of the giver's experience or authority.

Conseil vs. Comité: When referring to a group, 'conseil' is usually a high-level governing body (like a board), while 'comité' is often a smaller group tasked with a specific, often temporary, mission (like an organizing committee).

Le comité des fêtes a demandé au conseil municipal un budget supplémentaire.

Finally, consider the word préconisation. This is a very formal, almost technical term for a recommendation, often used in medical or engineering contexts. If a manual says 'préconisations du constructeur', it means the manufacturer's recommendations. In contrast, 'conseil' remains the most versatile and common word for any form of guidance. Whether you are looking for a 'tuyau' (a slang term for a 'tip' or 'lead'), an 'indication' (a pointer), or a 'directive' (a formal instruction), 'conseil' is the central pillar around which these synonyms revolve.

Il m'a donné un bon tuyau pour trouver des billets de train pas chers.

Summary of Nuance: Conseil = General guidance; Avis = Personal opinion; Astuce = Practical trick; Recommandation = Formal suggestion.

Suivre les conseils d'un expert est toujours une décision sage.

Elle a été nommée au conseil d'administration pour son expertise en finance.

How Formal Is It?

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Masculine noun articles (le/un)

Pluralization of nouns ending in -eil

Verb 'conseiller' + de + infinitive

Omission of articles in fixed expressions (demander conseil)

Adjective agreement with masculine nouns

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

Merci pour le conseil.

Thanks for the advice.

Uses 'le' (the) with the masculine noun 'conseil'.

C'est un bon conseil.

It is a good piece of advice.

Adjective 'bon' agrees with the masculine noun 'conseil'.

J'ai un conseil pour toi.

I have a piece of advice for you.

'Un' is used because 'conseil' is countable in French.

Elle donne des conseils.

She gives advice.

Plural 'des conseils' is used for general advice.

Écoute mon conseil.

Listen to my advice.

Possessive 'mon' is masculine.

Quel conseil ?

Which advice?

Interrogative 'quel' is masculine singular.

Il suit le conseil.

He follows the advice.

Verb 'suivre' (to follow) is commonly used with 'conseil'.

Un petit conseil : dors bien.

A little tip: sleep well.

'Petit' is a common adjective used to soften the word.

Je demande conseil à mon professeur.

I ask my teacher for advice.

The phrase 'demander conseil à' often omits the article.

Tu devrais suivre ses conseils.

You should follow his/her advice.

Plural 'ses conseils' refers to multiple suggestions.

Le conseil de classe est demain.

The class council is tomorrow.

Here 'conseil' means a formal meeting/council.

C'est un conseil très utile.

It's a very useful piece of advice.

Adjective 'utile' follows the noun.

Donne-moi un conseil pour l'examen.

Give me a tip for the exam.

Imperative 'donne-moi' followed by 'un conseil'.

Il ne suit jamais les conseils.

He never follows advice.

Negation 'ne... jamais' surrounding the verb.

Merci pour vos précieux conseils.

Thank you for your valuable advice.

'Précieux' is a common formal adjective for 'conseils'.

La nuit porte conseil, on verra demain.

Sleep on it, we'll see tomorrow.

A common French proverb.

Le conseil municipal a voté le budget.

The city council voted on the budget.

'Conseil municipal' refers to local government.

J'ai besoin de conseils juridiques.

I need legal advice.

'Juridiques' is the plural adjective agreeing with 'conseils'.

Elle est de très bon conseil.

She gives very good advice.

Idiomatic expression 'être de bon conseil'.

Il travaille dans une société de conseil.

He works in a consulting firm.

'Société de conseil' is a standard business term.

Voulez-vous un conseil d'ami ?

Do you want a piece of friendly advice?

'Conseil d'ami' is a common way to offer personal help.

Le conseil d'administration se réunit.

The board of directors is meeting.

Formal term for a corporate board.

Suivez ce conseil si vous voulez réussir.

Follow this advice if you want to succeed.

Demonstrative adjective 'ce' (this).

Il a demandé conseil avant de signer.

He sought advice before signing.

Article is omitted in 'demander conseil'.

Le Conseil de sécurité a adopté une résolution.

The Security Council adopted a resolution.

Refers to the UN Security Council.

Je vous conseille de prendre ce chemin.

I advise you to take this path.

Uses the verb 'conseiller' with the preposition 'de'.

C'est un conseil judicieux compte tenu de la situation.

It's a wise piece of advice given the situation.

'Judicieux' is a higher-level adjective.

Il a agi sans prendre conseil auprès de personne.

He acted without seeking advice from anyone.

'Prendre conseil auprès de' is a formal structure.

Le conseil constitutionnel examine la loi.

The constitutional council is examining the law.

Refers to the French Constitutional Council.

Elle a été élue au conseil régional.

She was elected to the regional council.

Refers to regional government in France.

Ce sont des conseils d'expert que je vous donne.

These are expert tips I'm giving you.

'Conseils d'expert' implies high authority.

Il a sollicité le conseil d'un avocat.

He requested the advice of a lawyer.

'Solliciter' is a formal verb for 'to ask for'.

Le Conseil d'État a annulé le décret présidentiel.

The Council of State annulled the presidential decree.

Refers to France's highest administrative court.

L'avocat de la défense a servi de conseil au prévenu.

The defense lawyer served as counsel to the accused.

Here 'conseil' refers to the legal representative.

Il a manqué de conseil dans cette affaire délicate.

He lacked guidance in this delicate matter.

'Manquer de conseil' is a formal literary expression.

La prudence est mère de sûreté, tel est mon conseil.

Prudence is the mother of safety, such is my advice.

Using a proverb to frame the 'conseil'.

Le conseil des ministres a délibéré pendant trois heures.

The cabinet deliberated for three hours.

'Délibérer' is a formal verb for 'to discuss'.

Elle a prodigué ses conseils avec une grande générosité.

She gave her advice with great generosity.

'Prodiguer' is a high-level verb for 'to give freely'.

Le conseil de discipline a statué sur son cas.

The disciplinary board ruled on his case.

'Statuer' is a formal legal verb.

C'est un conseil de prudence que je vous adresse.

It is a word of caution I am sending you.

'Conseil de prudence' is a formal way to say 'warning'.

Le conseil, en tant qu'institution, remonte à l'Ancien Régime.

The council, as an institution, dates back to the Old Regime.

Historical and institutional analysis.

Il a été fait grief au ministre de n'avoir pas pris conseil.

The minister was criticized for not having sought advice.

Uses the passive 'faire grief' and formal syntax.

La dialectique entre conseil et décision est au cœur du pouvoir.

The dialectic between advice and decision is at the heart of power.

Philosophical and abstract usage.

Le prévenu a choisi de ne pas être assisté par un conseil.

The accused chose not to be assisted by counsel.

Legal terminology where 'conseil' means 'lawyer'.

Ses conseils, bien que judicieux, furent balayés d'un revers de main.

His advice, though wise, was dismissed out of hand.

Literary expression 'balayer d'un revers de main'.

Le Conseil de l'Europe veille à la cohésion sociale du continent.

The Council of Europe ensures the social cohesion of the continent.

Refers to the international organization.

L'herméneutique du conseil dans les textes classiques est complexe.

The hermeneutics of advice in classical texts is complex.

Academic and highly specialized usage.

Il a agi avec un conseil mûrement réfléchi.

He acted with maturely considered deliberation.

Abstract use of 'conseil' meaning 'deliberation'.

Collocations courantes

Donner un conseil

Suivre un conseil

Demander conseil

Conseil d'administration

Conseil municipal

Conseil de classe

Précieux conseil

Prendre conseil

Conseil juridique

Société de conseil

Phrases Courantes

La nuit porte conseil

Un conseil d'ami

Suivez mon conseil

À court de conseils

Prendre conseil auprès de

Être de bon conseil

Un petit conseil

Demander conseil à quelqu'un

Écouter les conseils

Ignorer un conseil

Souvent confondu avec

conseil vs Concile (Religious council)

conseil vs Avis (Opinion)

conseil vs Conseiller (The verb or the person)

Expressions idiomatiques

"La nuit porte conseil"

"Prendre conseil de son oreiller"

"Être de bon conseil"

"Demander conseil à sa conscience"

"Le conseil des sages"

"Un conseil de guerre"

"Suivre les conseils de la raison"

"Donner des conseils de perfection"

"N'écouter que son propre conseil"

"Vendre ses conseils"

Facile à confondre

conseil vs

Structures de phrases

Famille de mots

Apparenté

Déconseiller (to advise against)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

legal

In law, 'mon conseil' can mean 'my lawyer'.

countable

Unlike English 'advice', French 'conseil' is countable.

professional

In business, 'conseil' refers to the consulting industry.

Erreurs courantes

Saying 'un de conseil' instead of 'un conseil'.
Using 'conseil' as a feminine noun ('la conseil').
Confusing 'conseil' (noun) with 'conseille' (verb).
Using 'conseil' when you mean 'opinion' (should be 'avis').
Forgetting the 's' in the plural 'des conseils'.

Astuces

Countability

Remember that 'conseil' is countable. You can have one, two, or many 'conseils'.

Conseil vs Avis

Use 'conseil' when you want to tell someone what to do. Use 'avis' to say what you think.

School Life

If you live in France, you will hear about 'conseils de classe' all the time.

Consulting

A 'société de conseil' is a consulting firm. It's a very common career path.

Sleeping

Use 'La nuit porte conseil' when you don't want to make a decision immediately.

Ending

The ending -eil is masculine. Think of 'soleil' (sun) to remember the gender.

Lawyers

In a courtroom, a lawyer might be addressed as 'Maître' but referred to as 'le conseil'.

Offering Advice

Start with 'Un petit conseil...' to make your suggestion sound less bossy.

Context

If you hear 'conseil' in the news, look for words like 'voter' or 'réunion' to confirm it means 'council'.

Nasal Vowel

Make sure the 'on' in 'conseil' is nasal and doesn't sound like 'on' in 'onward'.

Mémorise-le

Origine du mot

Latin

Contexte culturel

'La nuit porte conseil' reflects a cultural value placed on patience and reflection.

The 'Conseil de classe' happens three times a year in French middle and high schools.

The 'Conseil des ministres' is the weekly meeting of the French cabinet.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"Est-ce que tu peux me donner un conseil ?"

"Quel est le meilleur conseil que tu as reçu ?"

"Est-ce que tu suis souvent les conseils de tes parents ?"

"As-tu déjà assisté à un conseil municipal ?"

"Penses-tu que la nuit porte vraiment conseil ?"

Sujets d'écriture

Écris sur un conseil qui a changé ta vie.

Décris une situation où tu as demandé conseil à un ami.

Imagine que tu es membre du conseil municipal de ta ville.

Quels conseils donnerais-tu à quelqu'un qui apprend le français ?

Est-il facile pour toi de suivre les conseils des autres ?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, you should say 'un conseil' or 'un morceau de conseil' (though the latter is rare; just use 'un conseil').

It is always masculine: le conseil, un conseil.

A 'conseil' is a suggestion for action, while an 'avis' is just an opinion on something.

You say 'des conseils' or 'quelques conseils'.

It is a proverb meaning 'Sleep on it' or 'Wait until tomorrow to decide'.

In legal contexts, 'un conseil' can refer to a lawyer, but usually 'conseiller' is used for an advisor.

Yes, like 'Conseil municipal' (City Council).

It is simply 'conseils' with an 's' at the end.

Common verbs are donner, suivre, demander, and recevoir.

Yes, it is extremely common in both casual and formal French.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes