顾问
gùwèn
The English word 'advisor' is translated into Mandarin as 顾问 (gùwèn).
顾问 is a term used to describe a consultant or an expert advisor. It is commonly used in professional, political or academic contexts.
Meaning: one who offers advice (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 顾问 is composed of two parts: 顾 (gù), which means to look after or attend to and 问 (wèn), which means to ask or consult.
Which one should you use?
While 顾问 is a general term for an advisor, 导师 (dǎo shī) is used specifically to refer to an academic advisor or mentor. In informal contexts, people may use 老师 (lǎo shī) to refer to an advisor or mentor.
How do you pronounce it?
gùwèn
Did you know?
- In ancient Chinese contexts, the concept of an advisor was often linked to the 谋士 (móushì), a strategic mastermind who operated behind the scenes of a ruler.
- In Chinese business culture, the title 顾问 is sometimes granted as a honorary prestige title, meaning the person may hold the rank of 'advisor' without actually performing daily consulting work.
- The character 顾 in 顾问 carries a literal sense of 'looking back' or 'glancing', evoking the image of someone you turn back to for wisdom.
Examples in context
- 我需要找一位顾问帮助我规划我的财务状况。(Wǒ xūyào zhǎo yī wèi gùwèn bāngzhù wǒ guīhuà wǒ de cáiwù zhuàngkuàng.)I need to find an advisor to help me plan my financial situation.
- 他是一位资深的法律顾问。Tā shì yī wèi zīshēn de fǎlǜ gùwèn.He is a senior legal advisor.
- 我们需要请一位财务顾问。Wǒmen xūyào qǐng yī wèi cáiwù gùwèn.We need to hire a financial advisor.
- 他是公司的技术顾问。Tā shì gōngsī de jìshù gùwèn.He is the company's technical advisor.
Example conversation
雨婷 and 志强 are discussing their new business venture in a cafe.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你觉得我们需要顾问吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ juéde wǒmen xūyào gùwèn ma?Zhiqiang, do you think we need an advisor?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我觉得找个管理顾问会更好。Wǒ juéde zhǎo gè guǎnlǐ gùwèn huì gèng hǎo.I think finding a management advisor would be better.
- 雨婷 Yuting那你会去找一位吗？Nà nǐ huì qù zhǎo yī wèi ma?Then will you go look for one?
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，我会去联系的。Shì de, wǒ huì qù liánxì de.Yes, I will contact one.
