How to say "adviser" in Japanese

• 顧問こもんCommon
  nounCovers a formally appointed adviser, such as one retained by a company, school, or organization. Use this when the adviser role is an official position rather than informal guidance.
  社長しゃちょうは会議かいぎのために顧問こもんたちを集あつめた。↗

  The president assembled his advisers for a conference.
• アドバイザーCommon
  nounThe loanword covers the general sense of adviser or advisor. It fits business and professional contexts and is a safe, natural choice when no formal appointment is being emphasized.
  明日あす夜よる９時じにアカデミック・アドバイザーに電話でんわをかけることを、思い出おもいださせてください。↗

  Could you remind me to call my academic advisor at 9:00 p.m. tomorrow?
• 相談役そうだんやくCommon
  nounSuggests a counselor or adviser whom people consult for guidance, often a senior, trusted figure. Choose it when the emphasis is on giving counsel to those who seek it.
• 補佐ほさCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbIts glosses are aid, help, assistance, and assistant, so it refers to supporting or assisting rather than to an adviser as a person. It is seldom the word you want for 'adviser' itself.
  会社かいしゃでの彼かれの正式せいしきな肩書かたがきは社長しゃちょう補佐ほさである。↗

  His official title at the company is Assistant to the President.
• 話し相手はなしあいてCommon
  nounMeans a person with whom to speak, someone to talk to. It matches 'advisor' only in the loose sense of a conversational companion, so it is marginal for 'adviser' and really denotes a talking companion.
  ボブは誰だれか話はなし相手あいてを探さがしていた。↗

  Bob was looking for someone to talk with.

Use 顧問 for a formal appointed adviser, 「アドバイザー」 for the general loanword sense, 相談役 for a trusted counselor, while 補佐 means assistance rather than a person, and 「話し相手」 only means someone to talk to.

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

• 顧問こもんadviser
• アドバイザーadviser
• 相談役そうだんやくcounselor
• 補佐ほさaid
• 話し相手はなしあいてperson with whom to speak
• 勧告者かんこくしゃadviser
• 助言者じょげんしゃadviser
• 相談相手そうだんあいてadviser
• 指導員しどういんinstructor
• ご意見番ごいけんばんadvisor
• 参謀さんぼうadviser
• 参与さんよconsultant