consultar
verbCEFR B2
What does “consultar” mean in English?
to consult, to check with someone before acting
to consult, to check with someone before acting (consultar con + person; consultar algo — look something up)
Example sentences
Antes de firmar el contrato, le recomendamos que consulte con un abogado especializado en derecho laboral.
Before signing the contract, we recommend you consult a lawyer specialised in employment law.
He consultado el reglamento interno y, efectivamente, el procedimiento que menciona usted no está contemplado.
I have consulted the internal regulations and, indeed, the procedure you mention is not covered.
Esta decisión es demasiado importante para tomarla sin antes consultar con la junta directiva.
This decision is too important to take without first consulting the board of directors.
How to use it
Consultar has two main patterns at B2. (1) Consultar con alguien: to check with someone, to consult a person before acting ('Debería consultar con el equipo antes de decidir'). (2) Consultar algo: to look something up, to consult a source ('He consultado el manual'). The institutional register phrase antes de proceder, sería conveniente consultar con… signals professional caution and is very common in formal emails. Register contrast: preguntar a alguien is informal and neutral; consultar con alguien implies seeking expert or authorised input.
Common mistake
Consultar con (consult a person) requires the preposition con — *'consultar al médico' is possible but implies merely asking a question, not seeking professional consultation. The more formal consultar con un médico implies a proper medical consultation. Don't confuse consultar (to consult / look up) with the false cognate 'to consult' in the sense of working as a consultant — that is ejercer de consultor.