How to say "counsellor" in Japanese

• カウンセラーCommon
  nounThe loanword for a professional who counsels people, as in schools or therapy; this is the word you want for the everyday sense of 'counsellor' as an occupation.
• 相談役そうだんやくCommon
  nounA person whose role is to be consulted for advice, often a senior figure within a company or organization; use it for a trusted adviser rather than a professional therapist.
• 補佐ほさCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbIts core senses are aid, help, and assistance, or an assistant who supports a superior, so it is seldom the word you want for 'counsellor'.
  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.
• 参謀さんぼうCommon
  nounA staff officer in the military sense, and by extension someone who advises a leader behind the scenes; it suits the sense of a strategist or confidential adviser, not a professional counselor.

Choose 「カウンセラー」 for a professional counselor, 相談役 for an adviser you consult within an organization, 参謀 for a behind-the-scenes strategist, and 補佐 only when you really mean aid or an assistant.

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

• カウンセラーcounselor
• 相談役そうだんやくcounselor
• 補佐ほさaid
• 商議員しょうぎいんcounselor
• 助言者じょげんしゃadviser
• 勧告者かんこくしゃadviser
• 参謀さんぼうadviser