aconselhar

Aconselhar is a Portuguese verb meaning to give advice or counsel, to recommend a course of action, or to urge someone to act in a certain way. It is used when one person guides another’s decisions or behaviour, often in the sense of practical or moral support. The related noun is aconselhamento (counseling or advising) and the adjective aconselhável (advisable).

Usage notes and forms: Aconselhar is transitive, usually taking a direct object (the person or people being advised). It can also be used with a subordinate clause introduced by que, with the verb in the subjunctive: Eu aconselho que você estude. Common phrases include aconselhar alguém a fazer algo (to advise someone to do something) and aconselhar-se com alguém (to consult with someone, to seek advice). The reflexive form aconselhar-se is used when the subject seeks guidance or reflects on their own decisions.

Conjugation overview (present as example): eu aconselho, tu aconselhas, ele aconselha, nós aconselhamos, vós aconselhais, eles aconselham. Subjunctive present: que eu aconselhe, que tu aconselhes, que ele aconselhe, que nós aconselhemos, que vós aconselheis, que eles aconselhem. Imperfect: aconselhava, aconselhavas, aconselhava, aconselhávamos, aconselháveis, aconselhavam. Perfect and compound tenses follow regular patterns with ter + aconselhado.

Usage variations and nuance: Aconselhar can carry varying degrees of formality, from everyday recommendations to formal guidance in professional or legal contexts. It is often preferred over synonyms when emphasizing prudent or careful guidance.

See also: aconselhamento, aconselhável. In Brazilian and European Portuguese, the core meaning remains the same, with typical application in personal advice, professional guidance, and public communication.