Meaning
To offer guidance or recommendations.
Cultural Background
Spaniards are often very direct. Giving advice is seen as a sign of honesty and 'confianza'. In Mexico, advice is often softened with diminutives to sound less intrusive. Argentines are known for being very opinionated and helpful; giving advice is a national pastime. Even in informal advice, Colombians might use 'usted' to show a mix of closeness and respect.
Use the Indirect Object
Always remember to say WHO you are giving advice to (me, te, le...).
Don't say 'Hacer'
Never say 'hacer un consejo'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
Meaning
To offer guidance or recommendations.
Use the Indirect Object
Always remember to say WHO you are giving advice to (me, te, le...).
Don't say 'Hacer'
Never say 'hacer un consejo'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
The Diminutive Trick
Use 'consejito' to make your advice sound softer and less bossy.
Ask First
In many cultures, it's polite to ask '¿Te puedo dar un consejo?' before speaking.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'dar'.
Yo siempre ___ un consejo a mis amigos.
The first person singular (yo) of 'dar' in the present tense is 'doy'.
Choose the correct sentence.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
In Spanish, the correct collocation is 'dar un consejo'.
Complete the dialogue.
Ana: 'No sé qué estudiar.' Pedro: '___ un consejo: estudia medicina.'
Pedro is giving advice *to* Ana (te).
Match the phrase to the situation.
When would you say 'Le doy un consejo'?
'Le' is the indirect object pronoun for 'usted'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Advice vs. Suggestion
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYo siempre ___ un consejo a mis amigos.
The first person singular (yo) of 'dar' in the present tense is 'doy'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
In Spanish, the correct collocation is 'dar un consejo'.
Ana: 'No sé qué estudiar.' Pedro: '___ un consejo: estudia medicina.'
Pedro is giving advice *to* Ana (te).
When would you say 'Le doy un consejo'?
'Le' is the indirect object pronoun for 'usted'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is masculine: 'el consejo' or 'un consejo'.
Yes, 'dar consejos' means to give advice in a general or repeated sense.
'Aconsejar' is a verb, 'dar un consejo' is a phrase. They mean the same thing, but the phrase is more common in spoken Spanish.
You say 'Necesito un consejo'.
It depends on the relationship, but it's usually safer to ask permission first.
Yes, it is perfectly appropriate for professional settings.
You can say 'Sigue mi consejo' or 'Toma mi consejo'.
A 'consejero' is an advisor or counselor.
Usually, yes, but it can refer to a general piece of guidance that includes several points.
It's a way to make the advice sound more friendly and less like a command.
Related Phrases
pedir un consejo
contrastTo ask for advice
seguir un consejo
builds onTo follow advice
tomar un consejo
similarTo take advice
aconsejar
synonymTo advise
mal consejo
specialized formBad advice
