Inklingo

aconsejar

ah-kohn-seh-HAHR/akonseˈxaɾ/

aconsejar means to advise in Spanish (giving someone guidance or an opinion on what they should do).

to advise

Also: to recommend
VerbB1regular ar
General
A kind older person leaning in to speak softly to a younger person, offering guidance in a friendly way.
gerundaconsejando
past Participleaconsejado
infinitiveaconsejar

📝 In Action

Mi madre me aconseja siempre con mucha paciencia.

A1

My mother always advises me with a lot of patience.

El doctor me aconsejó que durmiera ocho horas.

B1

The doctor advised me to sleep for eight hours.

Te aconsejaría que leyeras el contrato antes de firmar.

B2

I would advise you to read the contract before signing.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • desaconsejar (to advise against)

Common Collocations

  • aconsejar biento give good advice
  • dejarse aconsejarto take advice / to let oneself be advised

Idioms & Expressions

  • quien bien te quiere, te hará llorar (pero te aconsejará bien)someone who truly cares for you will tell you the hard truths to help you

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesaconsejaran
yoaconsejara
aconsejaras
vosotrosaconsejarais
nosotrosaconsejáramos
él/ella/ustedaconsejara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesaconsejen
yoaconseje
aconsejes
vosotrosaconsejéis
nosotrosaconsejemos
él/ella/ustedaconseje

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesaconsejaron
yoaconsejé
aconsejaste
vosotrosaconsejasteis
nosotrosaconsejamos
él/ella/ustedaconsejó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesaconsejaban
yoaconsejaba
aconsejabas
vosotrosaconsejabais
nosotrosaconsejábamos
él/ella/ustedaconsejaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesaconsejan
yoaconsejo
aconsejas
vosotrosaconsejáis
nosotrosaconsejamos
él/ella/ustedaconseja

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: aconsejar

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I advise you (informal) to go' using 'que'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

From the Latin word 'consiliari', which means to take counsel or deliberate, coming from 'consilium' (plan or advice).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: counselFrench: conseiller

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'aconsejar' and 'recomendar'?

They are very similar. 'Aconsejar' often feels more personal or expert-based (like a doctor or a wise friend), while 'recomendar' is more common for things like movies, books, or products.

Do I always have to use the subjunctive with this verb?

Not if you follow it directly with an infinitive (the base -ar/-er/-ir form). You can say 'Te aconsejo estudiar'. But if you use 'que', you must use the subjunctive: 'Te aconsejo que estudies'.

How do I say 'I advise against it'?

You can use the word 'desaconsejar', which means exactly that: 'Lo desaconsejo'.