How to say "counselor" in Japanese

• カウンセラーCommon
  nounThe direct loanword for a counselor in the professional sense, such as a school or therapy counselor giving personal guidance. This is usually the word you want for people whose job is counseling.
• 相談役そうだんやくCommon
  nounA counselor or adviser consulted for guidance and advice, often a trusted senior figure someone turns to when making decisions. Suited to the sense of a person one talks things over with.
• 顧問こもんCommon
  nounAn adviser or counselor attached to an organization, such as a company, club, or school, offering expert or legal advice in an ongoing advisory role. Covers the institutional 'counselor' sense.
  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.
• 補佐ほさCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThis word really means aid, help, or assistance — supporting someone in their role — rather than a person called a counselor. It is seldom the word you want for 'counselor' 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.
• 参謀さんぼうCommon
  nounAn adviser or counselor in a strategic sense, someone who helps plan and formulate strategy for a leader. Fits military or organizational contexts where 'counselor' means strategic adviser.

Use 「カウンセラー」 for a professional counselor, 相談役 or 顧問 for an adviser consulted for guidance, 参謀 for a strategic adviser, and note 補佐 really means assistance rather than a counselor.

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
• 顧問こもんadviser
• 補佐ほさaid
• 商議員しょうぎいんcounselor
• 勧告者かんこくしゃadviser
• 助言者じょげんしゃadviser
• 参謀さんぼうadviser