beratschlagen

Beratschlagen is a German verb that means to deliberate, confer, or discuss with others before deciding on a course of action. It emphasizes collective weighing of options and is typically used in formal or institutional contexts such as government, corporate governance, or military planning. The act is usually followed by a decision, recommendation, or plan of action rather than by immediate unilateral action. In everyday language, speakers may prefer phrases like sich beraten or miteinander diskutieren, but beratschlagen remains common in official discourse.

Etymology and scope: the word derives from the noun Ratschlag (advice) with the prefix be-, and is related to ratschlagen, the older form meaning to offer a suggestion. The reflexive form sich beratschlagen denotes the act of consulting one another, often with the sense of seeking consensus before proceeding. The term is somewhat formal and may appear in historical documents, legislative debates, or organizational charters as well as in contemporary journalism about policy deliberations.

Usage notes: beratschlagen typically governs topics rather than people—one discusses or deliberates about a course of action, not about giving direct advice to a person. It is distinct from beraten, which involves giving guidance, and from abstimmen, which means to vote. Common constructions include sich über ein Thema beratschlagen or beratschlagen mit someone about the next steps.