How to say "advice" in Japanese

• アドバイスCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe most direct equivalent for everyday 'advice': guidance or suggestions about what to do, from anyone. When you are unsure which word to use, this is the safe default.
  あなたのアドバイスなしではいられません。↗

  I cannot do without your advice.
• 助言じょげんJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbAdvice or counsel offered to help someone decide or act, typically from an adviser or specialist whose guidance you seek or follow. It leans toward the 'counsel' end of 'advice'.
  コーチが助言じょげんをしてくれた。↗

  The coach gave me some advice.
• 勧告かんこくJLPT N1approx.Common
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveReally an official recommendation or admonition issued by an authority — a committee, agency, or similar body — rather than everyday advice. Seldom the word you want for ordinary 'advice'.
  人ひとに自分じぶんの勧告かんこくが理由りゆうのあるものであり、賢明けんめいであることを説得せっとくするためには、理由りゆうを挙あげ、知しられた例れいや大家おおやを引用いんようしなければならない。↗

  To persuade somebody that your recommendation is reasonable and wise, you have to give reasons and quote known examples and authorities.
• 忠告ちゅうこくJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbEarnest advice given for someone's own good, often close to a warning against a mistake or a risky choice. Fits when the advice is sincere and the listener may not want to hear it.
  私は彼かれに煙草たばこを吸すうなと忠告ちゅうこくした。↗

  I advised him against smoking.
• 勧めすすめJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA recommendation or suggestion to do or try something, with a nuance of encouragement. Use it when English 'advice' really means recommending a course of action — a place to go, a thing to do.
  もし彼かれのすすめに従したがっていたら、会社かいしゃに一いち銭せんもなくなっていたかもしれません。↗

  The firm might have lost all its money if it had taken his advice.

Use 「アドバイス」 as the all-purpose word for advice; 助言 for counsel that helps someone decide, 忠告 for earnest advice verging on warning, 「勧め」 for recommending a course of action, and 勧告 only for official recommendations.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• アドバイスadvice
• 助言じょげんadvice
• 勧告かんこくadvice
• 忠告ちゅうこくadvice
• 勧めすすめrecommendation
• 進言しんげんadvice (to a superior)
• 心添えこころぞえadvice
• しょうようadvice
• おすすめrecommendation
• オヌヌメrecommendation
• 諫めいさめremonstrance
• 建言けんげんoffering an opinion (to a superior, the government, etc.)
• 忠言ちゅうげん(good) advice
• 注意ちゅういadvice
• ご注意ごちゅういadvice