orientar

Senses

1. 1.

   to guide, to orient

   to give direction or guidance to someone

2. 2.

   to advise, to counsel

   to provide advice or recommendations

3. 3.

   to supervise, to mentor

   to oversee academic or professional work

4. 4.

   to orient oneself, to get one's bearings

   reflexive: to find one's direction or position

Examples

• "O professor orientou os alunos sobre como fazer a pesquisa."

  The teacher guided the students on how to do the research.

• "Preciso me orientar melhor antes de tomar essa decisão."

  I need to get my bearings better before making this decision.

• "Ela orienta várias teses de mestrado na universidade."

  She supervises several master's theses at the university.

Usage

Very common in academic contexts for thesis/dissertation supervision. Often used reflexively as "orientar-se" meaning to orient oneself or find one's way. Common collocations: "orientar alunos" (guide students), "orientar-se no espaço" (orient oneself in space), "orientar uma pesquisa" (supervise research).