Updated on March 6, 2024
A counselor is a trusted guide who helps us navigate the complexities of life. They provide support, encouragement, and practical advice to help us make informed decisions and overcome challenges. The significance of counselors cannot be overstated, as they play a vital role in promoting mental health and well-being in individuals and communities worldwide.
Counselors have been revered in various cultures and historical contexts. For instance, in ancient Greece, philosophers like Socrates and Plato were considered counselors who guided their students towards wisdom and self-discovery. Similarly, in many Indigenous cultures, elders and spiritual leaders serve as counselors, providing guidance and support to members of their communities.
Knowing the translation of the word 'counselor' in different languages can be fascinating and enlightening. It can help us appreciate the cultural nuances and diversity of this important profession. For instance, in Spanish, a counselor is called 'consejero,' while in French, they are known as 'conseiller.' In German, the term is 'Berater,' and in Japanese, it is 'saishin yōran-sha'
Afrikaans | berader | ||
The word "berader" is derived from the Dutch word "beraad", meaning "deliberation". | |||
Amharic | አማካሪ | ||
The word "አማካሪ" is derived from the root "መክር" meaning "to advise", and can also refer to a mediator or negotiator. | |||
Hausa | mai ba da shawara | ||
The word "mai ba da shawara" literally means "one who gives advice" in Hausa. | |||
Igbo | onye ndụmọdụ | ||
In Igbo, the term "onye ndụmọdụ" can also refer to someone who is "able to speak well and persuade people" | |||
Malagasy | mpanolo-tsaina | ||
The word "mpanolo-tsaina" in Malagasy comes from the French word "conseiller" meaning "advisor". | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | mlangizi | ||
The word mlangizi may refer to a traditional healer with spiritual powers or someone who gives advice in exchange for a fee, not just a professional counselor. | |||
Shona | chipangamazano | ||
The word 'chipangamazano' in Shona refers to both a counselor and a person who settles disputes or quarrels. | |||
Somali | lataliye | ||
The word "lataliye" is derived from the Arabic word "lathā'a" meaning "to be tender or soft". | |||
Sesotho | moeletsi | ||
In Sesotho, the word "moeletsi" can also refer to an advisor, guide, or consultant. | |||
Swahili | mshauri | ||
The Swahili word "mshauri" is derived from the Arabic word "mashwaŕa" meaning "consultation" or "advice". | |||
Xhosa | umcebisi | ||
"Umcebisi" is also used to refer to someone who provides guidance or advice. | |||
Yoruba | oludamoran | ||
The Yoruba word "Oludamoran" can also refer to a diviner or herbalist | |||
Zulu | umeluleki | ||
The word 'umeluleki' in Zulu is derived from the verb 'ukulela', meaning 'to listen attentively' or 'to wait'. | |||
Bambara | ladilikɛla | ||
Ewe | aɖaŋuɖola | ||
Kinyarwanda | umujyanama | ||
Lingala | mopesi toli | ||
Luganda | omubuulirizi | ||
Sepedi | moeletši | ||
Twi (Akan) | ɔfotufo | ||
Arabic | مستشار | ||
In classical Arabic, "مستشار" also refers to an advisor or someone who gives counsel. | |||
Hebrew | יועצת | ||
The word "יועצת" derives from the root "יעץ," meaning "to advise" or "to consult," and is related to the noun "עצה," meaning "advice" or "counsel." | |||
Pashto | سالکار | ||
The word "سالکار" can also mean "adviser", "guide", or "mentor" in Pashto. | |||
Arabic | مستشار | ||
In classical Arabic, "مستشار" also refers to an advisor or someone who gives counsel. |
Albanian | këshilltar | ||
The word "këshilltar" shares its origins with the word "këshillë" (advice), implying that a counselor provides guidance and support. | |||
Basque | aholkularia | ||
The word « aholkularia » comes form the verb « aholkatu » wich means « to give one's opinion ». | |||
Catalan | conseller | ||
The word "conseller" in Catalan can also refer to an advisor or minister in the Catalan government. | |||
Croatian | savjetnik | ||
The word 'savjetnik' in Croatian ultimately comes from the Latin word 'subvenire', meaning 'to aid or assist'. | |||
Danish | rådgiver | ||
The word 'rådgiver' is related to the Old Norse word 'ráð', meaning 'advice' or 'counsel'. | |||
Dutch | raadgever | ||
The Dutch word "raadgever" can also mean "adviser" or "consultant". | |||
English | counselor | ||
In Old French, the word "counselor" originates from the Latin "consulari" or "consulere", meaning "a person who gives advice." | |||
French | conseiller | ||
The French word "conseiller" shares an etymology with the words "consult" and "council" in English. | |||
Frisian | riedsman | ||
The term "riedsman" in the Frisian language derives from the Old Frisian word "rǣd", meaning "advice" or "counsel", denoting a person who provides wisdom and guidance to others. | |||
Galician | conselleiro | ||
In the past "conselleiro" also referred to a member of the "Real Consejo de Galicia" | |||
German | berater | ||
The term Berater in German can also refer to an individual who supervises a student's dissertation. | |||
Icelandic | ráðgjafi | ||
The word "ráðgjafi" ultimately derives from the Old Norse word "ráð", meaning "advice" or "counsel". | |||
Irish | comhairleoir | ||
"Comhairleoir" can refer to both male and female councilors, while "comhairleor" is exclusively for males. | |||
Italian | consulente | ||
The word "consulente" in Italian comes ultimately from the Latin verb "consulo," meaning "to deliberate". | |||
Luxembourgish | beroder | ||
In Luxembourgish, 'Beroder' originated from the Old High German word 'ratgeb' meaning 'giver of advice', but it has also been used colloquially to refer to a 'gossip' or 'rumormonger'. | |||
Maltese | konsulent | ||
The word "konsulent" is derived from the Latin word "consulere," which means "to consult." | |||
Norwegian | rådgiver | ||
Rådgiver can also refer to an advisor or consultant in Norwegian. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | conselheiro | ||
The Portuguese term "conselheiro" also designates an officer at Portuguese embassies abroad, appointed by the Foreign Affairs Minister. | |||
Scots Gaelic | comhairliche | ||
In Scots Gaelic, "comhairliche" can also refer to a spiritual guide or advisor. | |||
Spanish | consejero | ||
In Latin, "consiliarius" translates to someone who is a counselor or advisor. | |||
Swedish | rådgivare | ||
The word rådgivare is derived from the Old Norse word 'ráð' meaning 'advice', and 'givare' meaning 'giver'. | |||
Welsh | cynghorydd | ||
Belarusian | дарадца | ||
'Дарадца' is the Belarusian word for advisor and comes from the verb 'дарадзіць', meaning 'to advise' or 'to give advice'. | |||
Bosnian | savjetnik | ||
The word 'savjetnik' can also refer to a person who provides advice or guidance. | |||
Bulgarian | съветник | ||
The word "съветник" can also refer to an "advisor" or an "alderman". | |||
Czech | poradce | ||
"Poradce" comes from the verb "poraditi", meaning "to give advice" in Czech. | |||
Estonian | nõustaja | ||
The Estonian word "nõustaja" has the alternate meanings of 'advisor' and 'consultant'. | |||
Finnish | neuvonantaja | ||
In Old Karelian dialect, "neuvonantaja" referred to a male fortune teller and a person who gave advice to people. | |||
Hungarian | tanácsadó | ||
The Hungarian word "tanácsadó" originally meant "adviser" or "councilor" and is derived from the verb "tanácsolni" (to advise). | |||
Latvian | konsultants | ||
The word "konsultants" comes from the Latin word "consulere", meaning "to consult" or "to deliberate". | |||
Lithuanian | patarėjas | ||
In Lithuanian, the word "patarėjas" originated from the verb "patarti" ("to advise") and shares a common root with "patarimas" ("advice") and "patarimas" ("advisor"). | |||
Macedonian | советник | ||
"Советник" in Macedonian can also mean an advisor or a consultant. | |||
Polish | doradca | ||
"Doradca" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *dorъ, meaning "peace, harmony" | |||
Romanian | consilier | ||
"Consilier" in Romanian has no alternate meanings and comes from the Latin word "consiliarius" (counselor). | |||
Russian | советник | ||
In Russian the word "советник" ("counselor") can also refer to a military advisor or a state official. | |||
Serbian | саветник | ||
"Саветник" (counselor) comes from the Slavic root "*větъ", meaning "advice", and shares a common origin with the words "совет" (advice), "вече" (council), and "весть" (news). | |||
Slovak | radca | ||
The word "radca" in Slovak is derived from the Old Slavic word "radъ", meaning "conversation, advice", and is related to the word "rada" meaning "council, advice", and the word "radit" meaning "to advise, to counsel". | |||
Slovenian | svetovalec | ||
The word "svetovalec" can be a noun describing a counselor and a person advising in general, and a verb derived from the noun meaning "to give advice". | |||
Ukrainian | радник | ||
"Радник" is a Ukrainian word that can also mean an advisor or a consultant. |
Bengali | পরামর্শদাতা | ||
The word "পরামর্শদাতা" (poramorshodata) in Bengali, derived from Sanskrit, can also refer to a guide, advisor, or consultant. | |||
Gujarati | સલાહકાર | ||
The term 'સલાહકાર' literally translates to 'advisor' or 'consultant' in Gujarati, and is often used in the context of professional guidance or support. | |||
Hindi | काउंसलर | ||
"काउंसलर" "counselor" से लिया गया है, जिसका अर्थ है सलाहकार या थेरेपिस्ट। | |||
Kannada | ಸಲಹೆಗಾರ | ||
The word 'ಸಲಹೆಗಾರ' literally means 'giver of advice' in Kannada. | |||
Malayalam | ഉപദേഷ്ടാവ് | ||
Marathi | सल्लागार | ||
The word "सल्लागार" derives from "सल्ला" (advice) and "गार" (one who performs), indicating someone who gives professional advice. | |||
Nepali | सल्लाहकार | ||
The word "सल्लाहकार" ("counselor" in Nepali) originates from Arabic, where it literally means "one who gives counsel". | |||
Punjabi | ਸਲਾਹਕਾਰ | ||
The term 'ਸਲਾਹਕਾਰ' (counselor) is derived from the Persian word 'salahkar', meaning 'advisor' or 'consultant'. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | උපදේශක | ||
In addition to its meaning as "counselor," "උපදේශක" can also refer to an advisor, instructor, or mentor. | |||
Tamil | ஆலோசகர் | ||
In Tamil, "ஆலோசகர்" originated from the verb "ஆலோசி", meaning "to think" or "to deliberate". | |||
Telugu | సలహాదారు | ||
సలహాదారు (salahādāru) is derived from the Persian word "salāh", meaning "advice" or "consultation", and the Arabic suffix "-dār", meaning "holder" or "keeper." | |||
Urdu | مشیر | ||
The word "مشیر" in Urdu can also refer to a consultant, advisor, or guide. |
Chinese (Simplified) | 顾问 | ||
顾问 in Chinese can mean both 'counselor' and 'consultant'. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 顧問 | ||
"顧問" is derived from the Chinese characters "顧" (to care for) and "問" (to ask), suggesting someone who provides advice and guidance. | |||
Japanese | カウンセラー | ||
"カウンセラー" (counselor) derives from the French word "conseiller" (advisor). | |||
Korean | 참사관 | ||
The word "참사관" (counselor) in Korean has multiple meanings, including "advisor", "secretary", and "attorney". | |||
Mongolian | зөвлөгч | ||
In Mongolian, "зөвлөгч" is also used to refer to a person who advises others, such as a mentor or therapist. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | အကြံပေးပုဂ္ဂိုလ် | ||
Indonesian | konselor | ||
In Indonesian, "konselor" can refer to a counselor, advisor, or consultant, and is derived from the Dutch word "consigliere" meaning "advisor to a prince or government official." | |||
Javanese | penasihat | ||
The Javanese word "penasihat" originates from the word "nasihat", meaning "advice" or "suggestion", and is used to refer to someone who provides guidance or counsel. | |||
Khmer | អ្នកប្រឹក្សា | ||
The term "អ្នកប្រឹក្សា" is derived from the Sanskrit word "upadeśa," meaning "advice," and is also used to refer to a legal advisor or representative. | |||
Lao | ທີ່ປຶກສາ | ||
Malay | kaunselor | ||
In Malay, "kaunselor" also means "a person who holds a confidential position, especially in a royal household or government department" | |||
Thai | ที่ปรึกษา | ||
The Thai word "ที่ปรึกษา" (tìì-pruék-saa) comes from two Sanskrit words, "प्रतीकः" meaning "sign" or "mark" and "सरः" meaning "chief" or "master"} | |||
Vietnamese | cố vấn | ||
Cố vấn can alternately mean 'consultant', 'adviser', or 'expert'. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | tagapayo | ||
Azerbaijani | məsləhətçi | ||
The word "məsləhətçi" can also refer to an advisor or consultant in Azerbaijani. | |||
Kazakh | кеңесші | ||
The word "кеңесші" can also mean "adviser" or "consultant" in Kazakh. | |||
Kyrgyz | кеңешчи | ||
The word "кеңешчи" in Kyrgyz can also mean "adviser" or "consultant". | |||
Tajik | мушовир | ||
The word "мушовир" can also mean "consultant". | |||
Turkmen | geňeşçisi | ||
Uzbek | maslahatchi | ||
Maslahatchi can also mean 'adviser', 'representative' or 'consul' | |||
Uyghur | مەسلىھەتچى | ||
Hawaiian | kākāʻōlelo | ||
The Hawaiian word "kākāʻōlelo" can also refer to a messenger or an orator in a court of law. | |||
Maori | kaitohutohu | ||
In addition to its primary meaning as "counselor," "kaitohutohu" can also refer to a "guide" or "advisor". | |||
Samoan | fesoasoani | ||
The word "fesoasoani" is derived from the word "fesoaso" meaning "to counsel". | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | tagapayo | ||
Aymara | iwxt’iri | ||
Guarani | consejero rehegua | ||
Esperanto | konsilisto | ||
The Esperanto word "konsilisto" originates from the Latin word "consul", meaning advisor or magistrate. | |||
Latin | consilium | ||
The Latin word 'consilium' can also mean an assembly or council, as in the Roman Senate. |
Greek | σύμβουλος | ||
The word "σύμβουλος" has roots in the ancient Greek verb "συμβουλεύω", meaning "to advise" or "to counsel". | |||
Hmong | tus kws pab tswv yim | ||
The word "tus kws pab tswv yim" literally means "one who knows how to speak to people" in Hmong. | |||
Kurdish | pêşnîyarvan | ||
The word "pêşnîyarvan" also literally means "the one who advises". | |||
Turkish | danışman | ||
The word "danışman" is derived from the Arabic word "dānish" meaning "knowledge" or "wisdom". In the context of Turkish, it can also refer to an expert or advisor, in addition to its primary meaning of "counselor". | |||
Xhosa | umcebisi | ||
"Umcebisi" is also used to refer to someone who provides guidance or advice. | |||
Yiddish | קאָונסעלאָר | ||
"קאָונסעלאָר" is a Yiddish word borrowed from the English word "counselor," which in turn comes from the Latin word "consulere," meaning "to consult". | |||
Zulu | umeluleki | ||
The word 'umeluleki' in Zulu is derived from the verb 'ukulela', meaning 'to listen attentively' or 'to wait'. | |||
Assamese | পৰামৰ্শদাতা | ||
Aymara | iwxt’iri | ||
Bhojpuri | काउंसलर के ह | ||
Dhivehi | ކައުންސެލަރެވެ | ||
Dogri | काउंसलर | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | tagapayo | ||
Guarani | consejero rehegua | ||
Ilocano | mamalbalakad | ||
Krio | advaysa | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | ڕاوێژکار | ||
Maithili | परामर्शदाता | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯀꯥꯎꯟꯁꯦꯂꯔ ꯑꯣꯏꯅꯥ ꯊꯕꯛ ꯇꯧꯕꯥ꯫ | ||
Mizo | counselor a ni | ||
Oromo | gorsaa | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ପରାମର୍ଶଦାତା | | ||
Quechua | yuyaychaq | ||
Sanskrit | परामर्शदाता | ||
Tatar | киңәшче | ||
Tigrinya | ኣማኻሪ | ||
Tsonga | mutsundzuxi | ||