In 15 Seconds
- Receiving professional or expert guidance for a decision.
- Commonly used in banks, shops, and medical contexts.
- Implies a structured consultation rather than a casual tip.
Meaning
This phrase means you are receiving professional or expert guidance to help you make a decision. It is more formal than just getting a tip from a friend; it implies a structured consultation.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a bank
Ich möchte eine Beratung zu meinem Sparplan bekommen.
I would like to get advice on my savings plan.
In an electronics store
Kann ich hier eine Beratung zu Laptops bekommen?
Can I get some advice on laptops here?
Texting a friend about a career move
Ich habe heute eine tolle Beratung beim Arbeitsamt bekommen.
I got great advice at the employment office today.
Cultural Background
In Germany, many professions require years of specific vocational training (Ausbildung). This means when you get 'Beratung' in a store, the person often has a degree in that specific retail area. This focus on formal expertise makes professional advice a cornerstone of German consumer culture.
The 'Sich Beraten Lassen' Trick
If you want to sound more like a native in a shop, say 'Ich möchte mich beraten lassen' instead of 'Ich möchte Beratung bekommen'.
Rat vs. Beratung
Don't confuse 'Rat' (general advice) with 'Beratung' (professional consultation). You get 'Rat' from your grandma, but 'Beratung' from your accountant.
In 15 Seconds
- Receiving professional or expert guidance for a decision.
- Commonly used in banks, shops, and medical contexts.
- Implies a structured consultation rather than a casual tip.
What It Means
Beratung bekommen is all about receiving expert help. Think of it as a professional consultation. You are not just asking a friend for their opinion. You are seeking knowledge from someone who knows their stuff. It is common in business, health, or retail settings.
How To Use It
You use the noun Beratung with the verb bekommen. It is a very stable pair. You can add adjectives to describe the advice. For example, you can say eine professionelle Beratung bekommen. It works in almost any tense. You can say you got advice yesterday or will get it tomorrow.
When To Use It
Use this when you are at the bank. Use it when you are buying a new car. It is perfect for the doctor's office too. If you are at a tech store, ask for it. It shows you want a serious conversation. It is great for professional emails or formal meetings.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for casual things. If your friend tells you which shoes look better, that is not Beratung. That is just a Tipp. Avoid using it for unsolicited advice from your nosy neighbor. It sounds too official for a chat over coffee. Do not use it if the advice is just a quick suggestion.
Cultural Background
Germans deeply value expertise and "Fachkompetenz." They often prefer a detailed consultation before buying something expensive. In Germany, a salesperson is often a trained expert in that specific field. Getting Beratung is seen as a right of the customer. It is a sign of a high-quality service culture.
Common Variations
You will often hear sich beraten lassen. This means "to have oneself advised." It is very common in shops. Another formal version is eine Beratung erhalten. This sounds a bit more elegant. In casual speech, people might just say Hilfe bekommen. But Beratung specifically implies expert knowledge.
Usage Notes
The phrase is very safe to use in almost all professional and semi-professional settings. Just remember that it implies a level of expertise from the person giving the advice.
The 'Sich Beraten Lassen' Trick
If you want to sound more like a native in a shop, say 'Ich möchte mich beraten lassen' instead of 'Ich möchte Beratung bekommen'.
Rat vs. Beratung
Don't confuse 'Rat' (general advice) with 'Beratung' (professional consultation). You get 'Rat' from your grandma, but 'Beratung' from your accountant.
The Right to Advice
In Germany, 'Beratungspflicht' exists for certain sectors like insurance, meaning they are legally required to advise you properly!
Examples
6Ich möchte eine Beratung zu meinem Sparplan bekommen.
I would like to get advice on my savings plan.
A classic professional use for financial matters.
Kann ich hier eine Beratung zu Laptops bekommen?
Can I get some advice on laptops here?
Used when you need technical details before buying.
Ich habe heute eine tolle Beratung beim Arbeitsamt bekommen.
I got great advice at the employment office today.
Sharing a positive professional experience informally.
Ich brauche eine Beratung: Welche Pizza soll ich nehmen?
I need a consultation: Which pizza should I get?
Using a formal term for a trivial choice for comedic effect.
Haben Sie eine Beratung zu den Nebenwirkungen bekommen?
Did you receive a consultation regarding the side effects?
Formal inquiry about medical information.
Es war wichtig für mich, diese Beratung zu bekommen.
It was important for me to get this advice.
Expressing gratitude for professional guidance during a hard time.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the professional phrase.
Ich möchte eine professionelle Beratung ___.
`Bekommen` is the standard verb paired with `Beratung` to mean receiving advice.
Which adjective fits best for a consultation that costs nothing?
Hier können Sie eine ___ Beratung bekommen.
`Kostenlose Beratung` (free advice) is a very common marketing phrase in Germany.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of Getting Advice
Asking a friend for a quick tip.
Einen Tipp bekommen
Getting expert help in a store.
Beratung bekommen
Official consultation in a legal/medical context.
Eine Beratung erhalten
Where to use 'Beratung bekommen'
At the Bank
Kreditberatung
At the Doctor
Gesundheitsberatung
In a Store
Kaufberatung
Career Center
Berufsberatung
Practice Bank
2 exercisesIch möchte eine professionelle Beratung ___.
`Bekommen` is the standard verb paired with `Beratung` to mean receiving advice.
Hier können Sie eine ___ Beratung bekommen.
`Kostenlose Beratung` (free advice) is a very common marketing phrase in Germany.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral to formal. You can use it with friends when talking about a professional service, but it's also perfect for business meetings.
Yes, Beratung kriegen is the informal version. Use it with friends, but stick to bekommen in shops or offices.
Rat is a single piece of advice, often personal. Beratung is a service or a process of being advised by an expert.
You can say: Könnte ich bitte eine Beratung bekommen? This is a polite and standard way to ask for help.
Not always. In retail, it is usually free, but professional Rechtsberatung (legal advice) usually costs money.
Only if you are seeing a professional counselor. For a friend's help, use einen Rat geben or über Probleme sprechen.
That is a sales talk. Often, a Beratung in a store is technically a Verkaufsgespräch, but Beratung sounds more helpful and less pushy.
Yes, you can use it as an uncountable noun in some contexts, but eine Beratung bekommen is more common for a specific session.
It means 'detailed advice.' Use this if you want the expert to take their time and explain everything thoroughly.
The plural is Beratungen, but it is rarely used with bekommen. Usually, you just receive one consultation at a time.
Related Phrases
Sich beraten lassen
To have oneself advised / to seek consultation
Einen Rat geben
To give a piece of advice
Fachmännische Hilfe
Expert/professional help
Ein Beratungsgespräch führen
To conduct/have a consultation meeting
