Japanese word

相談

Pronunciation

Romajisōdan

Meaning

  • nounask for advice

Example

困ったら先生に相談します。koma tta ra sen sei ni sō dan shi ma su

I ask my teacher for advice when I need help.

Illustration for 相談 (ask for advice)

More examples

大きな買い物は、家族に相談してから決めます。ō ki na ka i mono wa ka zoku ni sō dan shi te ka ra ki me ma su

I decide after asking my family for advice about major purchases.

Core concept

Centers on sharing a problem or question with someone in order to consider it together and receive advice.

Common phrases

  • 相談するsō dan su ru

    ask for advice

  • 相談に乗るsō dan ni no ru

    give advice

  • 相談を受けるsō dan o u ke ru

    receive a request for advice

Similar words

話し合いhanashiai: A discussion in which people share views and consider a matter together.

Definition in Japanese

困りごとや判断について、相手に意見や助言を求めて話し合うこと。koma ri go to ya han dan ni tsu i te ai te ni i ken ya jo gen o moto me te hana shi a u ko to

Word origin

相談 (sōdan) combines 相 (sō, "together") and 談 (dan, "talk"), expressing talk shared with another person.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, 相談 (sōdan) often appears with する (suru) to form 相談する (sōdan suru), meaning to seek advice or talk over a problem.

Other meanings

  • consultationnoun
  • discussionnoun

Opposites

  • 独断dokudanunilateral decisionnoun

Related words

  • 相談者sōdanshaperson seeking advicenoun
  • 相談員sōdanincounselornoun

Word lists with this word