consultation / deliberation
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consultation
The giving of expert advice to someone who is looking for help with a problem or a decision.
Vor dem Kauf habe ich eine ausführliche Beratung im Fachgeschäft erhalten.
Before buying it, I received detailed advice at the specialist store.
'Die Beratung' (consultation/advice) is a noun derived from the verb 'beraten' (to advise). The ending '-ung' forms feminine nouns from verbs, which often describe the process or result of the action.
Er hat mich gut beraten.
He advised me well.
The meaning of 'Beratung' (consultation/deliberation) depends on the context. If it involves a person asking an expert questions, it usually means advice or consultation (meaning 1). If it involves a committee or jury discussing something, it means deliberation or discussion (meaning 2).
Die telefonische Beratung hat mir bei meinem Problem geholfen.
The telephone consultation helped me with my problem.
In the sense of 'Ratschlag' (advice), 'Beratung' is often used with verbs such as 'anbieten' (to offer), 'suchen' (to seek), 'bekommen' (to receive), or 'in Anspruch nehmen' (to make use of). Adjectives such as 'persönlich' (personal), 'fachkundig' (expert), or 'kostenlos' (free of charge) are also typical.
Viele Studenten nehmen die psychologische Beratung der Universität in Anspruch.
Many students make use of the university's psychological counseling service.
To name the topic of the consultation, you often use the preposition 'zu' followed by the topic in the dative. This structure is very useful for specifying the content of the consultation.
Ich hätte gerne eine Beratung zur richtigen Geldanlage.
I would like advice on the right investment strategy.
When a discussion or deliberation is meant, fixed expressions such as 'nach langer Beratung' (after long deliberation), 'nach reiflicher Beratung' (after careful deliberation), or 'die Beratungen aufnehmen' (to begin deliberations) are very common.
Nach kurzer Beratung war sich das Team einig.
After a brief discussion, the team was in agreement.
discussion
'die Diskussion' and 'die Beratung' can both be a conversation about a topic. In a Diskussion, the focus is on different opinions. People exchange arguments, and there does not have to be an immediate solution. A Beratung has a stronger goal: someone receives advice, or a group discusses something in order to prepare a decision. Learners may confuse the words because discussion often happens during a Beratung too. When it is about opinions and arguments, 'Diskussion' fits better. When it is about help, advice, or a decision, 'Beratung' sounds more natural.
Vor dem Kauf nutzt der Kunde eine Beratung, weil er unsicher ist.
Before making the purchase, the customer uses a consultation because he is unsure.
Nach der Reise gab es im Zug eine lange Diskussion über die beste Route.
After the trip, there was a long discussion on the train about the best route.