At the A1 level, 'consultation' is a very difficult word. You can think of it as a 'special meeting' with a doctor or a teacher. When you go to the doctor to ask for help, that meeting is a consultation. It is a formal way to say 'talking to an expert to get help'. You might see this word on a sign at a hospital or a dentist's office. For now, just remember: Consultation = Meeting with a professional.
At the A2 level, you should recognize 'consultation' as a noun. It is a formal meeting where you ask for advice. For example, 'I have a consultation with my doctor at 10 AM.' It is more formal than 'chat' or 'talk'. You usually pay for a consultation. It is common in medical and business situations. You might hear: 'The first consultation is free.' This means the first meeting to get advice does not cost money.
At the B1 level, you can start using 'consultation' in your writing and speaking. It means a meeting with an expert (like a lawyer or a doctor) to get information or advice. You should also know the verb 'to consult'. Example: 'I need to consult my lawyer.' The meeting itself is the 'consultation'. You might also see it in the context of 'public consultation', where a town asks people for their opinions on a new project. It implies a professional and serious tone.
At the B2 level, 'consultation' is a key word for professional English. You should understand its collocations: 'in consultation with', 'initial consultation', and 'seek a consultation'. It refers to the process of seeking expert advice or the act of discussing something before making a decision. You should be able to distinguish it from 'consultancy' (the business) and 'consultant' (the person). It is frequently used in business reports and formal letters to describe collaborative decision-making processes.
At the C1 level, you should master the nuances of 'consultation'. It can refer to the act of referring to a source of information (e.g., 'the consultation of historical documents'). You should understand its use in governance and law, such as 'mandatory consultation periods'. It implies a level of professional deference or a formal requirement to gather diverse opinions. You should be comfortable using it to describe complex organizational processes where multiple stakeholders are involved in the decision-making framework.
At the C2 level, 'consultation' is used with precision across various registers. You understand its subtle implications in diplomacy and high-level corporate strategy. It can describe the systemic requirement for expert input in policy-making. You are aware of its etymological roots and how it functions as a nominalization to create an objective, formal tone in academic discourse. You can use it to describe the iterative process of professional deliberation, recognizing when it serves as a euphemism for seeking approval versus a genuine quest for external expertise.

Consultation 30초 만에

  • A consultation is a formal meeting with a specialist to get advice.
  • It can also mean the process of discussing a plan with a group.
  • Commonly used in medical, legal, and business professional contexts.
  • It implies a structured and serious exchange of expert information.

The term consultation refers to a formal process of seeking information, advice, or professional guidance from an expert. It is not merely a casual chat; rather, it is a structured interaction designed to solve a problem, diagnose a condition, or plan a strategy. In a medical context, a consultation involves a patient describing symptoms to a doctor to receive a diagnosis. In a business context, it might involve a company hiring a specialist to improve efficiency. The core of a consultation is the exchange of knowledge: one party provides the context and the other provides the expertise.

Professional Context
A formal meeting with a professional like a lawyer, doctor, or consultant to get expert advice.
Collaborative Process
The act of discussing something with others before making a final decision to ensure all perspectives are considered.
Resource Reference
The act of looking at a book, map, or database to find specific information.

"The surgeon recommended a private consultation to discuss the risks and benefits of the upcoming procedure in detail."

— Clinical Practice Handbook

Historically, the word stems from the Latin consultatio, meaning 'deliberation'. This highlights that a consultation is meant to be a thoughtful process. Whether you are seeking a legal consultation to understand a contract or a public consultation where a government asks citizens for their opinions on a new park, the goal is always informed decision-making. In modern usage, it often implies a fee-based service, especially in professional industries. Understanding the nuances of this word helps in navigating professional environments where precise terminology is expected.

"After a brief consultation with the blueprints, the architect realized the structural flaw in the original design."

Public Consultation
A process where the public is invited to comment on proposed laws or projects.
Consultation Fee
The amount of money charged by a professional for their initial advice or time.

Using 'consultation' correctly requires understanding its role as a noun and the verbs it typically pairs with. Most commonly, we 'have', 'hold', 'seek', or 'provide' a consultation. Because it is a formal word, it is frequently found in academic, medical, legal, and corporate writing. It functions as both a countable noun (e.g., 'I have three consultations today') and an uncountable noun referring to the general process (e.g., 'The decision was made after much consultation').

  • Verb + Consultation: You can schedule a consultation, attend a consultation, or request a consultation.
  • Adjective + Consultation: Common descriptors include initial, private, medical, legal, brief, or extensive.
  • Prepositional Phrases: We say 'consultation with [someone]' or 'consultation on [a topic]'.

Example: "The government entered into a period of intensive consultation with local business leaders before raising the tax rate."

In technical writing, 'consultation' can also refer to the act of checking a reference material. For instance, 'The software allows for quick consultation of the user manual through a built-in help menu.' Here, it replaces 'looking at' or 'referring to' with a more formal tone. When writing professionally, using 'consultation' instead of 'talk' or 'chat' elevates the register and suggests a serious, goal-oriented interaction.

You will encounter 'consultation' in several distinct environments. In healthcare, it is the standard term for an appointment with a specialist. If your general practitioner cannot solve a problem, they refer you for a 'specialist consultation'. In legal and financial services, the 'initial consultation' is often the first step where a lawyer or advisor determines if they can help a client and explains their fees.

In government and urban planning, 'public consultation' is a legal requirement in many democracies. Before a new highway is built, the government must hold sessions to hear from the community. In corporate settings, 'consultation' refers to the internal process of managers talking to employees or external experts before making major changes like a merger or rebranding.

Media reports often use the phrase 'in consultation with'. For example, 'The policy was developed in consultation with environmental experts.' This phrase signals that the policy has authority and was not created in isolation. You might also see it on websites for service providers (like hair stylists, interior designers, or personal trainers) offering a 'free consultation' to attract new customers.

One of the most frequent errors is using 'consultation' when 'consult' (the verb) or 'consultancy' (the business/profession) is required. Remember: Consultation is the meeting; Consultancy is the firm or the practice of being a consultant. For example, 'He works for a management consultancy' (correct) vs. 'He works for a management consultation' (incorrect).

Another mistake is the preposition choice. Learners often say 'consultation to' someone, but the correct form is 'consultation with' someone. Similarly, you have a 'consultation on' or 'about' a specific subject. Using 'for' is also common but usually refers to the purpose: 'a consultation for a knee injury'.

Spelling is another pitfall. The suffix is '-ation', not '-ition'. Finally, ensure you don't over-use the word in casual settings. Asking a friend for a 'consultation' on which shoes to wear sounds overly formal or even sarcastic. In casual English, 'advice' or 'opinion' is much more natural.

While 'consultation' is specific, several words share its semantic space. Appointment is the most common synonym in medical contexts, but an appointment is just a time slot, whereas a consultation emphasizes the expert advice given. Conference implies a larger group or a more formal discussion, often in business or academic settings. Deliberation suggests a long, careful process of weighing options, often by a jury or a committee.

Dialogue and discussion are broader and less formal. They imply a two-way street of communication but don't necessarily involve an expert-client relationship. Interview is different because the goal is usually to gather information about a person (like for a job or a news story), whereas a consultation is about providing expert guidance to a person.

In a technical sense, reference is a synonym when talking about looking something up. 'Consultation of the archives' is similar to 'referencing the archives'. However, 'consultation' carries a weight of authority that 'looking up' lacks.

How Formal Is It?

난이도

알아야 할 문법

Nominalization (turning 'consult' into 'consultation')

Compound Nouns (consultation fee, consultation room)

Prepositional Phrases (in consultation with)

Passive Voice in formal reporting

Gerunds as subjects (Seeking a consultation...)

수준별 예문

1

I have a consultation with the doctor.

J'ai un rendez-vous (consultation) avec le médecin.

Noun after 'a'.

2

The consultation is at 9:00.

La consultation est à 9h00.

Subject of the sentence.

3

Is the consultation free?

La consultation est-elle gratuite ?

Question form.

4

Please wait for your consultation.

Veuillez attendre votre consultation.

Possessive 'your' + noun.

5

He needs a consultation.

Il a besoin d'une consultation.

Object of the verb 'needs'.

6

The doctor's consultation room is here.

La salle de consultation du médecin est ici.

Compound noun 'consultation room'.

7

A short consultation is enough.

Une courte consultation suffit.

Adjective 'short' modifying the noun.

8

Thank you for the consultation.

Merci pour la consultation.

Preposition 'for' + noun.

1

The lawyer offers a free initial consultation.

L'avocat propose une première consultation gratuite.

Adjective 'initial' describes the first one.

2

You should book a consultation online.

Vous devriez réserver une consultation en ligne.

Modal 'should' + verb 'book'.

3

The medical consultation lasted thirty minutes.

La consultation médicale a duré trente minutes.

Past tense 'lasted'.

4

I have a consultation about my skin problem.

J'ai une consultation pour mon problème de peau.

Preposition 'about' to show the topic.

5

The consultation fee is fifty dollars.

Les frais de consultation sont de cinquante dollars.

Compound noun 'consultation fee'.

6

We had a consultation with the school principal.

Nous avons eu une consultation avec le directeur de l'école.

Preposition 'with' for the person.

7

She went for a consultation yesterday.

Elle est allée à une consultation hier.

Adverb of time 'yesterday'.

8

The dentist has no consultations today.

Le dentiste n'a pas de consultations aujourd'hui.

Plural noun 'consultations'.

1

After a brief consultation with his colleagues, he agreed.

Après une brève consultation avec ses collègues, il a accepté.

Prepositional phrase 'After a brief consultation'.

2

The company is in consultation with the trade unions.

L'entreprise est en consultation avec les syndicats.

Phrase 'in consultation with'.

3

The government launched a public consultation on the new law.

Le gouvernement a lancé une consultation publique sur la nouvelle loi.

Adjective 'public' + noun.

4

You need a specialist consultation for your back pain.

Vous avez besoin d'une consultation spécialisée pour votre mal de dos.

Noun used as a specific medical term.

5

The architect's consultation helped us choose the right materials.

La consultation de l'architecte nous a aidés à choisir les bons matériaux.

Possessive 'architect's' + noun.

6

I am waiting for the results of the consultation.

J'attends les résultats de la consultation.

Object of the preposition 'of'.

7

The consultation process takes about two weeks.

Le processus de consultation prend environ deux semaines.

Compound noun 'consultation process'.

8

He provides expert consultation to small businesses.

Il fournit des consultations d'experts aux petites entreprises.

Verb 'provides' + adjective 'expert'.

1

The decision was made in close consultation with the local community.

La décision a été prise en étroite consultation avec la communauté locale.

Passive voice 'was made' + 'in close consultation with'.

2

Seeking a second consultation is often a good idea for serious surgery.

Demander une deuxième consultation est souvent une bonne idée pour une chirurgie grave.

Gerund phrase 'Seeking a second consultation' as subject.

3

The report was finalized after extensive consultation with stakeholders.

Le rapport a été finalisé après une consultation approfondie avec les parties prenantes.

Adjective 'extensive' implies depth.

4

The tax advisor charged a high fee for the private consultation.

Le conseiller fiscal a facturé des frais élevés pour la consultation privée.

Specific professional context.

5

The new policy is subject to a three-month consultation period.

La nouvelle politique est soumise à une période de consultation de trois mois.

Phrase 'subject to a... consultation period'.

6

The doctor recommended a psychiatric consultation.

Le médecin a recommandé une consultation psychiatrique.

Medical specialization adjective.

7

They held a consultation to resolve the internal conflict.

Ils ont tenu une consultation pour résoudre le conflit interne.

Verb 'held' used with 'consultation'.

8

Consultation with the manual is necessary before operating the machine.

La consultation du manuel est nécessaire avant d'utiliser la machine.

Consultation meaning 'referring to'.

1

The legislative changes were preceded by a rigorous consultation exercise.

Les changements législatifs ont été précédés d'un exercice de consultation rigoureux.

Formal academic/legal register.

2

A lack of meaningful consultation led to widespread protests.

Un manque de consultation significative a mené à des protestations généralisées.

Abstract noun phrase as subject.

3

The framework was developed through iterative consultation with experts.

Le cadre a été élaboré par une consultation itérative avec des experts.

Adjective 'iterative' suggests a repeating process.

4

The patient's case required a multi-disciplinary consultation.

Le cas du patient a nécessité une consultation multidisciplinaire.

Complex adjective 'multi-disciplinary'.

5

There is a statutory requirement for consultation before any demolition.

Il existe une obligation légale de consultation avant toute démolition.

Adjective 'statutory' meaning required by law.

6

The ambassador was recalled for urgent consultations with the president.

L'ambassadeur a été rappelé pour des consultations urgentes avec le président.

Plural form in a diplomatic context.

7

The software's 'help' feature allows for instantaneous consultation of the API docs.

La fonction 'aide' du logiciel permet une consultation instantanée de la documentation de l'API.

Nominalization of 'looking up'.

8

The project failed due to inadequate consultation at the planning stage.

Le projet a échoué en raison d'une consultation inadéquate au stade de la planification.

Cause and effect structure.

1

The policy represents the culmination of a decade-long consultation with indigenous leaders.

La politique représente l'aboutissement d'une consultation d'une décennie avec les chefs autochtones.

High-level synthesis of time and process.

2

The court ruled that the consultation process was procedurally flawed.

La cour a jugé que le processus de consultation était entaché d'irrégularités de procédure.

Legal jargon 'procedurally flawed'.

3

Her expertise is sought for high-level consultations on global security.

Son expertise est sollicitée pour des consultations de haut niveau sur la sécurité mondiale.

Passive voice with 'sought'.

4

The document serves as a basis for further consultation among member states.

Le document sert de base à une consultation plus approfondie entre les États membres.

Diplomatic register.

5

The nuanced consultation of primary sources revealed a different historical narrative.

La consultation nuancée des sources primaires a révélé un récit historique différent.

Academic use for research.

6

The government’s tokenistic consultation was criticized by civil society.

La consultation purement symbolique du gouvernement a été critiquée par la société civile.

Adjective 'tokenistic' (doing something only for show).

7

The intricacies of the case necessitated a consultation with a constitutional scholar.

Les complexités de l'affaire ont nécessité une consultation avec un spécialiste du droit constitutionnel.

Subject 'intricacies' + verb 'necessitated'.

8

The efficacy of the treatment was established in consultation with leading oncologists.

L'efficacité du traitement a été établie en consultation avec d'éminents oncologues.

Scientific/Medical formal register.

반의어

avoidance ignorance

자주 쓰는 조합

Initial consultation
Medical consultation
Legal consultation
Public consultation
In consultation with
Seek a consultation
Provide a consultation
Consultation fee
Consultation period
Brief consultation

자주 혼동되는 단어

Consultation vs Consultancy

The business or firm, not the meeting itself.

Consultation vs Consultant

The person providing the advice.

Consultation vs Council

A group of people, not the act of seeking advice.

혼동하기 쉬운

Consultation vs

Consultation vs

Consultation vs

Consultation vs

Consultation vs

문장 패턴

사용법

Nuance

Consultation implies a level of formality and expertise that 'meeting' lacks.

Plurality

Use 'consultations' for a series of meetings or diplomatic talks.

Professionalism

It is the preferred term in CVs and business proposals.

자주 하는 실수
  • Saying 'make a consultation' instead of 'have' or 'hold' a consultation.
  • Confusing 'consultation' with 'consultant' (the person).
  • Using 'consultation to' instead of 'consultation with'.
  • Spelling it 'consultition'.
  • Using it for casual chats with friends.

Level Up

Use 'consultation' instead of 'meeting' when talking about doctors or lawyers to sound more natural.

Prepositions

Remember to use 'with' for people and 'on' or 'about' for topics when using 'consultation'.

Business English

Mentioning 'extensive consultation' in reports shows that you have done thorough research and collaboration.

Suffix

The word ends in '-ation'. Associate it with other process words like 'information' or 'education'.

Pronunciation

Focus on the 'TAY' sound in the middle. It is the loudest part of the word.

Context

In the UK, a 'consultant' is a very high-level doctor, so a 'consultation' with one is a big deal.

Variety

If you use 'consult' as a verb, try using 'consultation' as a noun later to show vocabulary range.

Healthcare

Always ask for a 'consultation' if you want a specialist's opinion on a medical issue.

Law

An 'initial consultation' is your chance to see if a lawyer is right for you without committing to a long contract.

Reading

When you see 'consultation' in a text, look for the 'with' to find out who the expert is.

암기하기

어원

Latin

문화적 맥락

Consultations are protected by 'attorney-client privilege' in many jurisdictions.

In some cultures, family members always attend the consultation; in others, it is strictly private.

The 'initial consultation' is often a sales pitch disguised as advice.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

대화 시작하기

"Have you ever had a consultation with a specialist?"

"Do you think the government should hold more public consultations?"

"What happens during a typical consultation with a lawyer?"

"Would you pay for a professional consultation for your career?"

"Is a free consultation usually just a sales trick?"

일기 주제

Describe a time you sought a consultation for a problem.

If you were an expert, what kind of consultations would you provide?

Write about a decision that was made without enough consultation.

How does a consultation differ from a regular conversation in your opinion?

Imagine a world where every decision required a public consultation.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

A consultation is a formal meeting with an expert to get advice or discuss a specific issue. It is common in medicine, law, and business.

An appointment is just a scheduled time. A consultation is a specific type of appointment focused on getting expert advice.

It means that a decision or plan was made after talking to and getting advice from a specific person or group.

You can say, 'I have a consultation with my lawyer tomorrow' or 'The project was done in consultation with experts.'

Sometimes. Many professionals offer a 'free initial consultation' to attract clients, but usually, consultations have a fee.

It is a process where the government or an organization asks the public for their opinions on a new plan or law.

Yes, in formal English, it can mean the act of referring to a source of information, like a dictionary or a manual.

It is the amount of money you pay a professional for the time they spend giving you advice during a meeting.

A consultation is the meeting. A consultancy is the company or the professional practice of a consultant.

It is a noun. The verb form is 'consult'.

셀프 테스트 180 질문

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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