How to say "guru" in Japanese

• グル
  nounThe direct loanword, covering the English word's senses: a spiritual teacher or mentor, and by extension a respected authority in a field. It is the neutral choice when no reverence is intended.
• 尊師そんし
  nounAn honorific term for a venerated holy master; it fits reverent reference to a religious teacher, but it is not the word for the figurative 'expert' sense of guru.
  トムによって、メアリー様さまは利益りえきを約束やくそくする略奪りゃくだつの尊師そんしの一ひとつしかありません。↗

  According to Tom, Mary is just a predatory guru who promises gain.

Both are less common: 「グル」 is the straightforward loanword for a mentor or influential expert, while 尊師 is honorific language for reverently referring to a venerated religious master.

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

• グルguru
• 尊師そんしholy master
• 導師どうしguru