Definition
Plural of consul; officials or diplomats appointed by a government to represent its citizens and interests in a foreign city or region.
Etymology
From Latin 'consul,' originally a chief magistrate in ancient Rome, from 'consulere' (to take counsel). The word originally meant someone who was consulted for advice, then became the title of Rome's highest officials.
Kelly Says
The title 'consul' lasted through 2,000 years of history—from ancient Roman magistrates judging cases to medieval merchant consuls managing trading posts to modern diplomats protecting citizens abroad, proving that when you find a good title, you stick with it.
Translations
AMአማርኛ
የአውሮፓ ምክር
ye-a-w-ro-pa mik-er
ARالعربية
النيابة التجارية
al-niyaba al-tijariyya
BNবাংলা
কনস্যুলেট
kon-su-le-t
CACatalà
consolat
kon-so-lat
CSČeština
konzulové
kon-zu-lo-ve
DADansk
konsuler
kon-su-ler
DEDeutsch
Konsuln
kon-zuuln
ELΕλληνικά
προξένους
pro-xe-nous
ESEspañol
cónsules
kon-soo-les
FAفارسی
کنسولگری
kon-sool-ga-ri
FISuomi
konsulaarit
kon-su-la-a-rit
FRFrançais
consuls
kon-suhl
GUGU
કન્સ્યુલેટ
kon-su-le-t
HEעברית
קוֹנסוּלִים
ko-n-so-lim
IDBahasa Indonesia
konsul
kon-su-l
ITItaliano
consoli
kon-so-li
KKKK
консулдық
kon-sul-dyk
MRMR
कॉन्सुलॅट
kon-su-la-t
MSBahasa Melayu
konsul
kon-soo-l
MYမြန်မာ
ကုန်သွယ်ရေး
kun-sway-yay
NLNederlands
consuls
kon-soo-ls
NONorsk
konsuler
kon-su-ler
PAPA
ਕੌਂਸ્યુਲੇਟ
kau-nsu-le-t
PTPortuguês
consul
kon-soo-l
RORomână
consuli
kon-soo-li
RUРусский
консулы
konsuly
SVSvenska
konsuler
kon-su-ler
SWKiswahili
ukumbi wa ubalozi
ook-um-bi wa oo-ba-lo-zi
TAதமிழ்
மாநில பிரதிநிதி
maa-na-il pra-ti-ni-thi
TEతెలుగు
కన్సులేట్
kon-su-le-t
THไทย
สถานเอกอัครราชทูต
sa-than ek-ak-rat-cha-thut
TLTL
konsulado
kon-su-la-do
TRTürkçe
konsüllerler
kon-so-lu-ler-ler
UKУкраїнська
консули
konsuly
URاردو
کنسولگری
kon-sool-ga-ri
VITiếng Việt
đại sứ
dai su
ZUZU
ikonsoli
i-kon-so-li
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Consular office historically restricted to men; language often defaults to 'consul' (masculine forms) even where women held office. Modern usage is gender-neutral in principle but historical male association persists in formal contexts.
Inclusive Usage
Use 'consul' consistently regardless of officeholder gender; avoid 'consul-ess' or 'female consul' unless context specifically requires specification.
Inclusive Alternatives
["consul (gender-neutral, preferred)"]
Empowerment Note
Women consular officers have served since the 20th century; modern consulate staff are increasingly diverse, though senior positions remain male-skewed globally.