01
der Ratschlag
advice
A recommendation or suggestion given to someone to help them with a decision or problem.
example
Ich danke dir für deinen guten Ratschlag, er hat mir sehr geholfen.
Thank you for your good advice; it helped me a lot.
der Ratschlag
advice
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'Rat' (advice) and 'Schlag' (strike, blow). The meaning is not literal, but rather an old expression for 'a kind of advice' or 'a suggestion'.
EXAMPLE
Sein Ratschlag war wie ein Weckruf für mich.
His advice was like a wake-up call for me.
Typical verbs
'Ratschlag' (advice) is often combined with certain verbs. You can 'geben' (give) someone a piece of advice, 'bekommen' (get) advice from someone, or 'befolgen' (follow) a piece of advice.
EXAMPLE
Er hat mir den guten Ratschlag gegeben, mich mehr zu entspannen.
He gave me the good advice to relax more.
Sentence structure
When you want to describe the content of the advice, you often use an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to) or a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that).
EXAMPLE
Ich gab ihr den Ratschlag, sich direkt bei der Firma zu bewerben.
I gave her the advice to apply directly to the company.
Compare with
Ratschlag vs Rat
advice / council
'der Rat' and 'der Ratschlag' often mean almost the same thing: a recommendation meant to help someone with a problem or decision. Both words fit in many everyday situations. 'Rat' is a bit more general and also appears in fixed expressions, for example 'um Rat bitten' (to ask for advice). 'Ratschlag' sounds a bit more concrete: it is usually one specific tip or suggestion. In many sentences, however, you can use both words without much difference in meaning.
Ratschlag
Ihr Ratschlag hat mir beim Einkaufen viel Geld gespart.
Her advice saved me a lot of money while shopping.
Rat
Vor der Reise fragt Nele ihre Freundin um Rat.
Before the trip, Nele asks her friend for advice.
In real life
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