Beraten

Beraten is a German verb meaning to give advice, counsel, or to consult with someone. It describes the act of providing guidance based on expertise or experience, or of seeking such guidance from another person or institution. Common contexts include legal, financial, managerial, educational, and customer-service settings. The verb takes a direct object in the accusative: jemanden beraten (to advise someone). The phrase sich beraten lassen means to seek advice from others, or to be advised by them.

Conjugation and forms: in the present tense, ich berate, du berätst, er berät, wir beraten, ihr beratet, sie beraten. The past participle is beraten, and the perfect tense is formed with haben: Ich habe den Mandanten beraten. The simple past (Präteritum) is beriet, du berietest, er beriet, wir berieten, ihr beratet, sie berieten. The passive and subjunctive forms exist but are used less frequently in everyday language.

Beratung is the noun derived from beraten, meaning advice or consultation; Berater is the advisor or consultant. Common compounds include Steuerberatung (tax advice), Unternehmensberatung (management consulting), and Beratungsgespräch (consultation meeting). In professional contexts, Berater oder Beratungsdienstleistungen are used to describe advisory roles or services provided to clients.