French word

consoler

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃sole/

Meaning

  • verbcomfort

Example

Elle veut consoler sa sœur ce soir.

She wants to comfort her sister tonight.

Illustration for consoler (comfort)

More examples

Je vais essayer de consoler mon ami après sa rupture.

I am going to try to comfort my friend after his breakup.

Core concept

A person stays beside someone in distress and helps make the emotional weight easier to bear.

Common phrases

  • consoler quelqu'un

    comfort someone

  • se consoler

    comfort oneself

  • consoler par des mots

    comfort with words

Similar words

réconforter: Gives a grieving person encouragement, comfort, and reassurance.
soutenir: Provides dependable emotional support by staying close.
encourager: Promotes positive action or thinking through encouragement.
rassurer: Removes doubt or anxiety and restores a sense of security.

Definition in French

Alléger la peine ou l'inquiétude d'une personne par des paroles, des gestes ou une présence empathique.

Word origin

French consoler comes through Old French from Latin consolari, formed from con- meaning 'together' and solari meaning 'to comfort'.

Usage tips

  • The direct construction is consoler quelqu'un, while se consoler means to find comfort oneself.

Opposites

  • attristersaddenverb
  • peinerdistressverb

Related words

Word lists with this word