conseiller
/kɔ̃.sɛ.je/
The English phrase counsellor is translated into French as conseiller.
The term refers to a person who provides professional advice or guidance in a particular field.
Which one should you use?
While conseiller can mean both the noun (counsellor) and the verb (to advise), they are spelled identically in the masculine form. If you are referring to a person who guides individuals in choosing their career paths, you should use orientateur or orientatrice. If the person is aiding with personal or emotional issues, the term thérapeute is used for a counsellor or therapist.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun is conseiller, while the feminine form of the noun is conseillère. Note that conseiller can also function as a verb meaning to advise or to counsel.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔ̃.sɛ.je/
Did you know?
- In French politics, a conseiller municipal is an elected city councillor, making the word the standard term for local government representatives rather than just professional advisors.
- In a French school setting, a conseiller principal d'éducation is a specific administrative role that manages student discipline and welfare, acting more like a dean of students than a guidance counsellor.
- The word conseiller shares its DNA with the English word 'counsel', both tracing back to the Latin 'consilium' which refers to a plan or a decision.
Examples in context
- Il est un conseiller expérimenté dans le domaine de la santé.He is an experienced counsellor in the field of health.
- Je dois prendre rendez-vous avec mon conseiller financier.I need to make an appointment with my financial counsellor.
- Mon orientateur m'a aidé à trouver ma voie professionnelle.My counsellor helped me find my career path.
- Elle est une excellente orientatrice scolaire.She is an excellent school counsellor.
- Mon thérapeute m'a aidé à surmonter mes problèmes d'anxiété.My therapist helped me overcome my anxiety issues.
- J'ai rendez-vous chez mon psy aujourd'hui.I have an appointment with my therapist today.
- Il est un excellent psy pour enfants.He is an excellent child psychologist.
- Il cherche un conseiller financier.He is looking for a financial counsellor.
- Le conseiller d'orientation aide les étudiants.The career counsellor helps students.
- J'ai rendez-vous avec mon conseiller juridique.I have an appointment with my legal counsellor.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are discussing Lucas's career change.
- LucasJe ne sais pas quoi faire de ma carrière.I don't know what to do with my career.
- LéaTu devrais voir un conseiller professionnel.You should see a professional counsellor.
- LucasEst-ce que ce conseiller peut m'aider ?Can this counsellor help me?
- LéaOui, il donnera de bons conseils.Yes, he will give good advice.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry conseiller, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries conseiller, CC BY-SA 4.0.
