mediator; intermediary; agent; broker; middleman
Refers to a person who acts as a go-between in negotiations, transactions, or disputes. Often used in business, legal, or diplomatic contexts.
He acted as a mediator between the two parties.
不動産の斡旋者に手数料を支払った。
We paid a commission to the real estate broker.
Compound of 斡旋 (あっせん, 'mediation, good offices') and 者 (しゃ, 'person'). The word 斡旋 itself is derived from Chinese, where 斡 means 'to revolve' or 'to manage' and 旋 means 'to revolve' or 'to return', together suggesting the idea of turning things around or managing affairs.