consulter

Consulter is a French verb meaning to seek information or advice from someone, to refer to or examine a source, or to consider with others. It covers actions such as consulting a professional, consulting a document, or consulting a database. In everyday use, it often expresses the act of asking for guidance or verifying information before acting.

Etymology: The verb comes from Latin consultare, a frequentative form of consulere, meaning to take counsel. It shares a root with the English words consult and consultation. The reflexive form se consulter means to discuss or deliberate together.

Conjugation and forms: Consulter is a regular -er verb. Present tense: je consulte, tu consultes, il consulte, nous consultons, vous consultez, ils consultent. Passé composé: j'ai consulté. Imparfait: je consultais. Futur simple: je consulterai. Conditionnel présent: je consulterais. Subjonctif présent: que je consulte. Impératif: consulte, consultons, consultez. The past participle is consulté. Se consulter forms with a reciprocal meaning: nous nous consultons, ils se consultent.

Usage notes: Common with objects such as consulter un dictionnaire, un annuaire, les résultats, or consulter un médecin. The verb can also mean to visit a professional for advice or a medical appointment. Se consulter describes deliberating with others, as in planning a decision with a team. In digital contexts, one speaks of consulter une page, un site, ou une base de données to view or browse information.

See also: consultation, consulter en ligne.