相談会(そうだんかい)

An event where attendees can get individual advice on a specific topic. Literally 相談(そうだん) (consultation) + 会(かい) (gathering). Widely advertised by schools, local governments, banks, real estate agencies, and so on.

Common collocations

• 相談会(そうだんかい)を開(ひら)く / 開催(かいさい)する: to hold a consultation session
• 相談会(そうだんかい)に参加(さんか)する: to attend a consultation session
• 進学(しんがく)相談会(そうだんかい): school/university information session
• 就職(しゅうしょく)相談会(そうだんかい): job counseling session
• 法律(ほうりつ)相談会(そうだんかい): legal consultation session
• 健康(けんこう)相談会(そうだんかい): health consultation session

Similar words

• 説明会(せつめいかい): briefing; information session — focuses on presenters explaining things to attendees, rather than on individual questions
• 面談(めんだん): one-on-one meeting/interview — typically a private conversation rather than an event
• 講演会(こうえんかい): lecture event — one speaker presenting to an audience

Usage

Unlike 説明会(せつめいかい), which is typically a group presentation, a 相談会(そうだんかい) emphasizes interactive, individual questions and answers. Attendees can usually speak privately with staff about their specific concerns.