Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Advice" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "advice", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
助言
じょげん (jogen)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
進言
しんげん (shingen)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "advice" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 助言 and 進言.
In Japanese, 助言 (じょげん (jogen)) is typically associated with "advice, suggestion" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Often used in more formal contexts than '意見.
On the other hand, 進言 (しんげん (shingen)) maps to "advice, suggestion, recommendation (especially to a superior)" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Often implies giving advice or a proposal to someone of higher status or authority.. A literal translation of "advice" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "助言"
先生からの貴重な助言で、論文を書き上げることができた。
Thanks to the valuable advice from my teacher, I was able to finish my thesis.
Bilingual Context for "進言"
彼は上司に進言した。
He gave advice to his boss.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "先生からの貴重な ＿＿＿ で、論文を書き上げることができた。" (Meaning: "Thanks to the valuable advice from my teacher, I was able to finish my thesis.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "助言" fits here because it means "advice, suggestion" in the context of: "Thanks to the valuable advice from my teacher, I was able to finish my thesis.". "進言" represents "advice, suggestion, recommendation (especially to a superior)".