Translation guide
Ways to express the act of providing advice, direction, or instruction to someone in Japanese, ranging from formal mentoring to casual tips.
To give someone advice, suggestions, or direction on what to do or how to act.
The most common and neutral way to say 'give advice'. Suitable for both formal and informal situations.
彼にキャリアについてアドバイスをした。
I gave him advice about his career.
A slightly more formal term for giving advice or counsel, often used in professional or written contexts.
上司が適切な助言をしてくれた。
My boss gave me appropriate guidance.
Implies guiding, coaching, or instructing, often in educational, sports, or workplace settings. Stronger sense of leading someone.
先生が生徒を指導している。
The teacher is guiding the students.
Loanword from English, used in specific contexts like school orientation or corporate training. Not as common as アドバイス.
新入生にガイダンスをしました。
We gave guidance to the new students.
To provide long-term support, teaching, or moral guidance to help someone develop.
To lead or guide someone, often with a sense of showing the way morally or spiritually. Can be used for mentors, parents, or leaders.
彼は若者を正しい方向に導いた。
He guided the young people in the right direction.
Focuses on fostering growth, training, or developing someone's abilities. Common in business and sports.
会社は若手社員の育成に力を入れている。
The company puts effort into nurturing young employees.
To give introductory guidance or teach the basics, often hands-on. Literally 'to untie the hands'.
料理の手ほどきをしてあげるよ。
I'll give you some guidance on cooking.
To tell someone how to do something, often in a procedural or navigational sense.
To give instructions or directions. Used when telling someone exactly what to do, often in a work or operational context.
上司が仕事の指示を出した。
The boss gave instructions for the work.
To guide or show the way, often physically leading someone or providing information about a place.
彼が駅まで案内してくれた。
He guided me to the station.
To teach or tell. Very common for giving guidance in the sense of showing how to do something.
To propose ideas or courses of action in a less directive way.
To propose or suggest. A neutral term for putting forward an idea or plan.
新しい方法を提案した。
I suggested a new method.
To recommend or advise. Often used when suggesting a course of action for someone's benefit.
医者が運動を勧めた。
The doctor recommended exercise.
アドバイス is the most common and casual. 助言 is more formal and often used in professional settings. 指導 implies a hierarchical relationship where the guide has authority or expertise, like a teacher or coach.
友達にアドバイスをもらった。
I got advice from a friend.
専門家の助言が必要だ。
We need expert guidance.
監督が選手を指導する。
The coach guides the players.
The English word 'guidance' is often translated as ガイダンス, but this is mainly used for specific programs like school orientation. In most cases, use アドバイス, 助言, or 指導 depending on context.
パソコンの使い方を教えてあげる。
I'll show you how to use the computer.