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B2 verb #1,500 am häufigsten 15 Min. Lesezeit

client

Top 1,500

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Erklärung client in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to the word 'client' as a basic noun related to jobs and work. It is taught simply as 'a person who pays for a service'. Beginners learn to associate the word with specific professions they are also learning, such as a lawyer, a hairdresser, or a bank worker. The focus is on recognizing the word in simple sentences, like 'He is a client' or 'The client is here'. At this stage, the subtle differences between a client and a customer are not heavily emphasized; the primary goal is basic vocabulary acquisition and understanding that a client is someone who gives money to a professional for their help. Teachers might use pictures of an office setting to illustrate the concept. The pronunciation is practiced, ensuring the 'ie' sound is clear. Learners might practice simple role-plays, such as greeting a client at a reception desk. The grammar involves using basic articles ('a client', 'the client') and simple present tense verbs ('The client wants...'). It is a foundational word for anyone beginning to learn English for the workplace.

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At the A2 level, the understanding of 'client' expands slightly to include more context about the relationship. Learners begin to see the word in short texts about business, emails, and daily routines. They learn that professionals have 'meetings with clients' and that they need to 'help clients'. The distinction between buying a physical object (customer) and paying for advice or a specialized service (client) is gently introduced. Vocabulary related to scheduling, such as 'appointment', 'schedule', and 'cancel', is frequently paired with 'client'. Learners practice writing simple, polite emails to clients, such as 'Dear Client, your meeting is at 10 AM'. They also learn basic adjectives to describe clients, like 'new client' or 'old client'. The focus is on practical, everyday workplace communication. Listening exercises might involve hearing a receptionist take a message from a client on the phone. Students learn to use possessive forms simply, like 'the client's name'. It becomes a key word for describing what people do in office jobs.

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At the B1 level, 'client' becomes a crucial piece of active vocabulary for professional and business English. Learners are expected to clearly understand and articulate the difference between a customer and a client. They learn collocations such as 'to get a client', 'to lose a client', and 'client meeting'. The context shifts to more complex business scenarios, such as explaining a service, handling a complaint, or discussing a project. Learners practice writing more detailed professional correspondence, including proposals and progress updates to clients. They encounter the word in authentic reading materials like business articles and company websites. The concept of 'client service' or 'customer service' is discussed in depth. Students learn to use modal verbs to express obligation and advice in a client context, such as 'We must inform the client' or 'You should call the client'. Role-plays become more sophisticated, involving negotiating simple terms or explaining a delay to a client. The vocabulary surrounding the word expands to include terms like 'contract', 'agreement', and 'fee'.

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At the B2 level, which is the target level for this enrichment, the usage of 'client' becomes highly nuanced and professional. Learners are expected to use the word effortlessly in complex business discussions, presentations, and negotiations. They master advanced collocations such as 'to acquire a client', 'to retain a client', 'prospective client', and 'client base'. The focus is on relationship management, diplomacy, and professional etiquette. Learners can discuss abstract concepts like 'client satisfaction', 'client retention rates', and 'attorney-client privilege'. They are able to write formal reports, persuasive proposals, and delicate emails addressing client concerns or conflicts. The distinction between B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-consumer) contexts is fully understood, and 'client' is correctly applied to the former. Listening exercises involve authentic, fast-paced business meetings where client strategies are debated. Learners understand idiomatic or industry-specific uses, such as referring to a client as an 'account'. They can seamlessly integrate the word into complex grammatical structures, including passive voice ('The client was informed') and conditional sentences ('If the client agrees, we will proceed').

At the C1 level, the learner's command of the word 'client' is near-native and highly sophisticated. They can navigate complex, high-stakes professional environments where client relationships are paramount. Vocabulary expands to include highly specific terms like 'fiduciary duty to a client', 'client onboarding process', and 'client-centric approach'. Learners can read and comprehend dense legal or financial documents where the rights and obligations of the 'Client' are meticulously detailed. They can lead meetings, pitch to prospective clients, and handle aggressive or demanding clients with tact and diplomatic language. The cultural nuances of client interactions in different English-speaking countries are understood and applied. Learners can discuss the strategic importance of client diversification and portfolio management. They use advanced rhetorical devices to persuade and reassure clients in written and spoken communication. The word is used not just to describe a person, but as a core concept around which business strategies are built and analyzed. They can comfortably use and understand related jargon and corporate speak.

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At the C2 level, the understanding and application of 'client' represent complete mastery. The learner understands the etymological roots of the word and how its historical meaning of 'dependent' or 'follower' subtly influences modern power dynamics in professional relationships. They can engage in deep, academic, or highly specialized discussions about client psychology, the ethics of client representation, and the macroeconomic impact of client-service industries. They can seamlessly adapt their register when speaking to a client versus speaking about a client to internal stakeholders. They can draft complex legal contracts defining the 'Client' entity. They are aware of the rarest and most informal uses, such as the occasional verbed form in hyper-specific corporate jargon ('we need to client them'), though they know to avoid it in standard communication. They can critically analyze literature or case studies focusing on client management failures or successes. At this level, the word is a foundational element of a vast, interconnected web of professional, legal, and economic vocabulary, used with absolute precision and effortless fluency.

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A person or organization using professional services.
Implies a formal, ongoing relationship with an expert.
Distinct from a 'customer' who buys physical goods.
Common in law, consulting, finance, and freelance work.

The concept of a client is fundamental to modern professional services and business relationships. When we discuss what it means to be a client, we are delving into a complex relationship built on trust, specialized expertise, and mutual benefit. Unlike a standard transactional customer who might purchase a physical good and immediately leave the premises, a client engages in a continuous, evolving dialogue with a service provider. This relationship requires a deep, nuanced understanding of the client's specific needs, long-term goals, and immediate constraints. Professionals such as lawyers, accountants, management consultants, and freelance designers rely heavily on building and maintaining robust client portfolios. The term itself carries a significant weight of professionalism and an implied duty of care. In legal terms, the attorney-client privilege exemplifies the sacred and protected nature of this bond, ensuring absolute confidentiality and trust. Furthermore, the financial industry revolves entirely around client asset management, where fiduciary responsibilities are paramount and legally binding. Understanding the nuances of client management is essential for anyone entering the corporate, legal, or freelance world. It involves not just delivering a promised service, but actively managing expectations, providing strategic, forward-thinking advice, and often acting as a trusted confidant during critical business decisions.

Professional Relationship: A formal arrangement where specialized, often intangible services are provided over a period of time.

The evolution of the word from its Latin roots, 'cliens', meaning a follower or retainer who sought the protection of a powerful patron, to its current modern usage highlights a fascinating shift towards a more equitable, contract-based partnership. However, the core dynamic of seeking specialized protection or expert guidance remains entirely intact. In today's highly competitive global market, retaining an existing client is universally recognized as being significantly more valuable and cost-effective than acquiring a new one. This economic reality has led to the massive rise of customer success departments and sophisticated client relationship management (CRM) software systems.

The experienced lawyer advised her client to carefully review the contract before signing.

These digital tools help businesses meticulously track interactions, anticipate future needs, and personalize their communication approach, ensuring that each individual client feels uniquely valued and thoroughly understood. The distinction between a client and a customer can sometimes blur, especially in sectors like retail banking or high-end luxury retail, where highly personalized service mimics the traditional client relationship. However, the core differentiator always remains the level of customized, professional advice provided.

Fiduciary Duty: The legal obligation of one party to act in the best interest of another, typical in client relations.

When a marketing agency takes on a new client, they do not simply sell a pre-packaged, off-the-shelf ad campaign; they deeply immerse themselves in the client's brand identity, industry landscape, and target audience to create a completely bespoke strategy.

Our firm is currently onboarding a major international client from the tech sector.

This intense level of integration and customized problem-solving is exactly what defines the modern client experience. It is fundamentally a collaborative journey where both parties invest significant time, energy, and resources to achieve a shared, mutually beneficial objective.

The consultant prepared a detailed quarterly report for the client.

The ultimate success of the service provider is intrinsically and undeniably linked to the success of the client, creating a symbiotic business ecosystem that drives innovation, efficiency, and broader economic growth. Therefore, mastering the complex art of client relations is a critical, non-negotiable skill for modern professionals.

Client Retention: The ability of a company to keep its clients over a specified period, a key metric of success.

It encompasses effective, transparent communication, deep empathy, creative problem-solving, and unwavering ethical standards.

We need to schedule a follow-up meeting with the client next week.

Whether you are a solo entrepreneur just starting out or a senior partner at a multinational corporation, your clients are the absolute lifeblood of your business.

The architect presented the final blueprints to the client for approval.

Understanding what it truly means to serve them, protect their interests, and guide them toward success is the very first and most important step towards establishing a long-term, profitable, and highly reputable career in any service-oriented industry.

Using the word 'client' correctly involves understanding its specific collocations, grammatical structures, and the professional register it inherently demands. In business English, 'client' is almost exclusively used as a countable noun, though in rare, highly informal corporate jargon, one might hear it verbed (e.g., 'we need to client them effectively'), but this is non-standard and should generally be avoided by learners. The most common verbs that precede 'client' reflect the lifecycle of the business relationship. We 'acquire' or 'win' a new client when we successfully pitch our services. We 'onboard' a client when we integrate them into our systems and begin the initial phases of work. We 'serve', 'advise', or 'represent' a client during the active phase of the relationship. Finally, we strive to 'retain' a client over the long term.

Collocation: Prospective Client: A potential client who is considering using your services but has not yet signed a contract.

Adjectives frequently used with 'client' help categorize the relationship's importance or status. A 'major', 'key', or 'principal' client represents a significant portion of a firm's revenue. A 'long-standing' or 'loyal' client denotes a relationship that has endured over many years, built on mutual trust. Conversely, a 'difficult' or 'demanding' client requires careful management and exceptional communication skills to satisfy.

The agency threw a lavish party to celebrate their most loyal client.

In written communication, such as proposals, contracts, and formal emails, the word 'client' is ubiquitous. It is often capitalized in legal documents when referring to a specific party (e.g., 'The Client agrees to pay...'). When discussing the people you work for in a B2B (business-to-business) context, 'client' is the standard term, whereas B2C (business-to-consumer) environments might use 'customer'.

Possessive Form: Use 'client's' for singular possession (the client's needs) and 'clients'' for plural possession (our clients' portfolios).

It is also crucial to understand the prepositional phrases associated with the word. We do work 'for' a client, we have a meeting 'with' a client, and we act 'on behalf of' a client.

She is currently out of the office on a client visit.

Understanding these subtle grammatical rules ensures that your professional communication sounds natural and authoritative. Furthermore, the term forms the basis of many compound nouns essential in modern business. 'Client base' refers to the total number of clients a business has. 'Client relations' is the department or function dedicated to managing these interactions. 'Client confidentiality' is the ethical and often legal requirement to keep information private.

Protecting client data is our top cybersecurity priority.

Client-facing: An adjective describing a role or task that involves direct interaction with clients.

When applying for jobs, you will frequently see requirements for 'client-facing experience', meaning the employer wants someone who is comfortable and skilled at speaking directly with the people paying for the services.

He was promoted to a client-facing role due to his excellent communication skills.

By mastering these various contexts, collocations, and grammatical forms, you can confidently navigate any professional environment where the management and acquisition of clients is a core business activity.

The software was designed specifically to improve the overall client experience.

Remember that using the word correctly also implies a certain level of respect and formality that is expected in B2B interactions.

The word 'client' is ubiquitous across a vast array of professional environments, serving as the cornerstone vocabulary in industries that provide specialized services rather than physical goods. You will hear it most frequently in the legal profession, where the relationship between an attorney and the person they represent is formally defined by law. In courtrooms, law offices, and legal briefs, the term is used constantly to establish the boundaries of representation and privilege. Similarly, in the financial sector, including wealth management, accounting, and investment banking, professionals manage portfolios and provide critical advice to their clients.

Consulting Industry: A sector entirely based on providing expert advice to organizational clients to improve their performance.

Management consultants, IT consultants, and HR consultants travel the globe to solve complex problems for their corporate clients. In these high-stakes environments, the word carries an expectation of high-value delivery and strategic partnership.

The consulting firm billed the client for over two hundred hours of analytical work.

The creative and marketing industries also rely heavily on this terminology. Advertising agencies, graphic design studios, PR firms, and freelance writers all produce work tailored to the specific demands of their clients. In these settings, you will often hear discussions about 'client feedback', 'client revisions', and 'client approval'. The dynamic here is often a delicate balance between the creative vision of the agency and the commercial objectives of the client.

Real Estate: Agents represent clients in the buying, selling, or leasing of properties, acting as their fiduciary.

Real estate agents represent clients in property transactions, negotiating on their behalf to secure the best possible deal. Furthermore, the technology sector, particularly in B2B software sales (SaaS) and custom software development, uses the term extensively.

The software engineers customized the dashboard to meet the specific requirements of the client.

Account managers and customer success representatives are dedicated to ensuring that software clients are utilizing the product effectively and achieving their desired return on investment. Even in personal care services, such as high-end salons, personal training, and private therapy, the term 'client' is often preferred over 'customer' to elevate the perceived level of personalized care and professional expertise being offered.

The therapist maintained strict boundaries to protect the well-being of her client.

Freelance Economy: Independent workers refer to the individuals or businesses that hire them for specific projects as clients.

The gig economy and the rise of remote freelancing have democratized the term, meaning that independent contractors across the world now manage their own client rosters.

As a freelance web developer, she spends a significant amount of time communicating with her international client base.

In all these contexts, hearing the word 'client' immediately signals a formal, structured, and service-oriented relationship where expertise is being exchanged for compensation.

The ad agency won the pitch and secured the automotive giant as their newest client.

It is a word that bridges the gap between various industries, serving as a universal identifier for the entity that drives the demand for professional services.

One of the most frequent mistakes English learners make is confusing 'client' with 'customer'. While both refer to people or organizations that pay for goods or services, the context and nature of the relationship are significantly different. A customer typically engages in a short-term, transactional exchange, such as buying a coffee at a cafe or purchasing a television from an electronics store. In contrast, a client engages in a long-term, professional relationship requiring specialized advice or customized services, such as hiring a lawyer to draft a will or an agency to design a website. Using 'customer' when referring to someone utilizing professional legal or consulting services can sound unprofessional and diminish the perceived value of the relationship.

Client vs. Customer: Use 'client' for professional, ongoing services (lawyer, agency) and 'customer' for transactional retail purchases.

Another common error involves the possessive form. Learners often write 'the clients needs' without the apostrophe, or misplace it as 'the client's needs' when referring to multiple clients (which should be 'the clients' needs').

It is crucial to understand the client's core business objectives before proposing a solution.

Additionally, there is sometimes confusion between 'client' and 'patient'. While both receive professional care, 'patient' is strictly reserved for medical and healthcare contexts (doctors, nurses, hospitals). A therapist or counselor might use either term depending on their specific practice model, but a surgeon always has patients, never clients.

Client vs. Patient: Medical doctors treat patients; business professionals and lawyers serve clients.

Spelling mistakes are less common but still occur, with learners occasionally writing 'cleint' due to the 'i before e' rule confusion.

The junior associate accidentally emailed the confidential document to the wrong client.

In terms of usage, learners sometimes use awkward phrasing like 'I am a client of the supermarket', which sounds unnatural because supermarkets have customers, not clients. Similarly, saying 'the lawyer's customer' sounds highly inappropriate and undermines the formal legal relationship.

We must prioritize our most profitable client accounts this quarter.

Preposition Errors: Saying 'work to a client' instead of the correct 'work for a client' or 'work with a client'.

Another subtle mistake is failing to recognize the collective power of the word. When a company says 'our client', they are often referring to an entire organization, not just the single point of contact they speak to daily. Therefore, understanding that 'the client' can be a singular person or a massive multinational corporation is vital for context.

The entire agency worked through the weekend to meet the client deadline.

By consciously avoiding these common pitfalls—especially the customer/client distinction and possessive punctuation errors—learners can immediately elevate their professional business English and communicate with much greater authority and precision.

She successfully resolved the dispute and retained the unhappy client.

Mastering this vocabulary is a critical step in professional fluency.

While 'client' is the standard term in professional services, several similar words exist, each carrying its own distinct nuance and specific context of use. Understanding these synonyms and related terms is crucial for precise communication in various industries. The most common related word is 'customer', which, as previously noted, refers to someone purchasing goods or standard services in a transactional manner. A retail store has customers; a law firm has clients.

Patron: A regular customer of a restaurant, hotel, or a financial supporter of the arts.

'Patron' is a more formal or traditional word. You might hear about the patrons of a fine dining restaurant or a library. It also has a historical context, referring to someone who financially supports an artist or an institution. 'Consumer' is a broader economic term referring to anyone who uses a product or service, regardless of whether they purchased it directly. Market research often focuses on consumer behavior rather than client behavior, as it looks at mass market trends.

The marketing team analyzed consumer trends to better serve their corporate client.

Another related term is 'buyer', which specifically highlights the purchasing action, often used in B2B contexts (e.g., 'the buyer for the retail chain'). In the medical field, as discussed, the equivalent term is 'patient'.

Account: In B2B sales and advertising, a client is often referred to impersonally as an 'account'.

In advertising, PR, and corporate sales, a client is frequently referred to as an 'account'. An Account Manager is the person responsible for the day-to-day relationship with the client. This term slightly depersonalizes the relationship, focusing on the business entity and the revenue it generates.

She was promoted to Senior Account Director after successfully managing the firm's largest client.

'Purchaser' is a formal, legalistic synonym for buyer, often found in contracts. 'User' is prevalent in the technology and software industries, referring to the individual actually interacting with the software, who may or may not be the client who paid for it (the client buys the software, the employees are the users).

The software company gathers feedback from end-users to improve the product for the paying client.

Stakeholder: Anyone with an interest or concern in a business or project, which often includes the client.

'Stakeholder' is a very broad term used in project management to describe anyone affected by a project's outcome; the client is usually the primary stakeholder, but the term also includes employees, investors, and the community.

The project manager organized a meeting to align the expectations of the client and other key stakeholders.

By carefully selecting among these similar words, professionals can convey precise meanings about the nature of the transaction, the industry context, and the depth of the relationship.

While we have many retail customers, our consulting division focuses exclusively on corporate clients.

Knowing exactly when to use 'client' versus 'account' or 'customer' demonstrates a high level of business English fluency and professional awareness.

How Formal Is It?

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Possessive nouns (client's vs. clients')

Prepositions of association (meeting *with* a client, working *for* a client)

Definite and indefinite articles (a client, the client)

Compound adjectives (client-facing, client-focused)

Formal email etiquette and register

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Beispiele nach Niveau

The lawyer has a new client.

The lawyer has a new person paying for services.

Basic subject-verb-object structure.

She is my client.

She is the person I work for.

Use of possessive pronoun 'my'.

The client is in the meeting room.

The person paying for services is waiting.

Preposition of place 'in'.

He talks to the client on the phone.

He speaks with the customer.

Preposition 'to' after talk.

We have three clients today.

We have three appointments.

Plural form 'clients'.

The client wants a coffee.

The person would like a drink.

Simple present tense 'wants'.

Is he your client?

Do you work for him?

Yes/No question format.

I need to call the client.

I must telephone the person.

Infinitive verb 'to call'.

We have a meeting with an important client tomorrow.

We will meet a big customer tomorrow.

Adjective 'important' modifying client.

The client sent an email this morning.

The person emailed us early today.

Past tense 'sent'.

Please send this document to the client.

Give this paper to them.

Imperative sentence.

Our clients are very happy with the work.

The people we work for are pleased.

Plural subject with 'are'.

She is visiting a client in London.

She is traveling to see someone.

Present continuous tense.

The client's name is Mr. Smith.

His name is Mr. Smith.

Possessive 's'.

We need to find new clients for the business.

We must get more people to pay us.

Adjective 'new'.

The client canceled the appointment.

The person said no to the meeting.

Past tense 'canceled'.

The agency is trying to attract a major corporate client.

They want a big company to hire them.

Collocation 'corporate client'.

We must always protect our client's confidential information.

Keep their secrets safe.

Modal verb 'must' for obligation.

The client requested a revision to the initial proposal.

They asked for a change.

Formal verb 'requested'.

Building trust is essential for a long-term client relationship.

Trust makes the connection last.

Gerund 'Building' as subject.

The consultant billed the client for fifty hours of work.

Charged them money for time.

Verb 'billed' specific to services.

If the client agrees to the terms, we will sign the contract.

If they say yes, we sign.

First conditional sentence.

She works in a client-facing role at the bank.

She talks directly to the people.

Compound adjective 'client-facing'.

We lost the client because our prices were too high.

They left us due to cost.

Collocation 'lost the client'.

Our primary objective this quarter is to improve client retention rates.

We want to keep the people we have.

Advanced collocation 'client retention'.

The attorney invoked attorney-client privilege during the trial.

The lawyer kept the secret legal.

Legal terminology.

We need to onboard the new client smoothly to ensure a positive first impression.

Start them off well.

Business verb 'onboard'.

The firm boasts a diverse portfolio of international clients.

They have many different people from around the world.

Formal vocabulary 'boasts a diverse portfolio'.

Managing demanding clients requires exceptional diplomatic skills.

Hard people need careful talking.

Gerund phrase as subject.

The software was customized specifically to meet the client's unique specifications.

Made exactly how they wanted.

Passive voice 'was customized'.

As an account manager, she acts as the primary liaison between the agency and the client.

She is the main connection.

Vocabulary 'liaison'.

The proposal outlines the scope of work and the deliverables expected by the client.

The plan shows what we will give them.

Business terminology 'deliverables'.

The consultant's fiduciary duty dictates that they must act entirely in the client's best financial interest.

They must legally do what is best for the person's money.

Complex legal phrasing 'fiduciary duty'.

A client-centric approach is no longer a differentiator; it is a fundamental prerequisite for survival in this industry.

Focusing on them is required to live.

Compound adjective 'client-centric'.

The agency successfully pitched a comprehensive rebranding strategy to the prospective client.

They sold a big new look to a possible buyer.

Advanced vocabulary 'comprehensive rebranding'.

Mitigating client churn requires proactive engagement and anticipating their evolving needs.

Stopping people from leaving means talking early.

Industry jargon 'client churn'.

The contract explicitly indemnifies the firm against any losses incurred by the client due to market volatility.

The paper protects the company if the person loses money.

Legal verb 'indemnifies'.

Navigating the intricate political dynamics within a large corporate client organization can be highly challenging.

Dealing with the office politics of a big buyer is hard.

Abstract noun phrase 'political dynamics'.

The firm's reputation was severely compromised following a massive breach of client confidentiality.

They looked bad after leaking secrets.

Collocation 'breach of confidentiality'.

We must ensure that our strategic objectives are perfectly aligned with the client's long-term vision.

Our goals must match theirs.

Passive construction 'are perfectly aligned'.

The historical etymology of 'client', denoting a plebeian under the patronage of a patrician, subtly echoes the inherent power asymmetries still present in modern consulting.

The old meaning shows who has the power.

Highly academic and abstract sentence structure.

The firm's draconian billing practices ultimately alienated their most lucrative legacy clients.

Their harsh charging made their best old buyers leave.

Advanced vocabulary 'draconian', 'alienated', 'legacy'.

In the realm of high-frequency trading, the definition of a client is increasingly obfuscated by algorithmic intermediaries.

In fast computer trading, it's hard to know who the buyer is.

Specialized financial jargon.

The paradigm shift towards value-based pricing necessitates a complete recalibration of how we quantify client success.

Changing how we charge means changing how we measure winning.

Corporate buzzwords 'paradigm shift', 'recalibration'.

The defense attorney masterfully leveraged the ambiguity of the statute to secure an acquittal for his high-profile client.

The lawyer used confusing laws to free a famous person.

Complex verb phrase 'masterfully leveraged'.

Cultivating a synergetic ecosystem where client feedback directly iterates product development is the holy grail of SaaS architecture.

Making a system where their thoughts change the product is the ultimate goal.

Dense tech industry jargon.

The dissolution of the partnership was precipitated by irreconcilable differences regarding the strategic direction of key client accounts.

The business ended because they couldn't agree on big buyers.

Formal legal/business phrasing 'dissolution', 'precipitated'.

He possessed an uncanny ability to placate irate clients, transforming volatile confrontations into collaborative problem-solving sessions.

He was great at calming angry people down.

Advanced descriptive vocabulary 'uncanny', 'placate', 'irate'.

Synonyme

customer patron consumer buyer account vendee

Gegenteile

provider vendor supplier

Häufige Kollokationen

prospective client

major client

client base

client meeting

client confidentiality

attorney-client

client satisfaction

retain a client

acquire a client

serve a client

Häufige Phrasen

on behalf of a client

client-facing role

meet with a client

pitch to a client

lose a client

client onboarding

client relationship management

duty to the client

advise a client

represent a client

Wird oft verwechselt mit

client vs customer

client vs patient

client vs patron

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"the customer is always right (often applied to clients)"

"win an account (meaning win a client)"

"wine and dine a client"

"client comes first"

"build a book of business (acquire clients)"

"client-centric"

"client-driven"

"on the client's dime"

"client pushback"

"manage client expectations"

Leicht verwechselbar

client vs

Satzmuster

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verb usage

While 'client' is strictly a noun in standard English, you may occasionally hear it used as a verb in highly informal corporate jargon (e.g., 'We need to client them well'), meaning to treat them as a client. This should be avoided in formal writing and speaking.

collective noun

The word 'clientele' is the collective noun for all the clients of a business.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'customer' instead of 'client' for professional services like law or consulting.
Writing 'the clients needs' without an apostrophe (should be client's or clients').
Calling a medical doctor's patient a 'client'.
Starting an email with 'Dear Client' instead of using the person's name.
Saying 'I am a client of the supermarket' instead of 'customer'.

Tipps

Use with Professional Services

Always reserve the word 'client' for situations involving professional, specialized services. If someone is buying a sandwich, they are a customer. If they are paying for legal advice, architectural plans, or financial consulting, they are a client. Using the right word shows you understand business contexts.

Master the Possessive

Pay close attention to where you put the apostrophe. 'The client's meeting' means one client has a meeting. 'The clients' meeting' means multiple clients are involved. This small punctuation mark makes a big difference in formal business reports and emails.

Team Language

When speaking in a corporate environment, try to say 'our client' instead of 'my client', even if you are the main person working with them. This subtle shift in language shows that you view the relationship as a company-wide effort and highlights you as a team player.

Avoid 'Dear Client'

Never start an email with 'Dear Client'. It comes across as mass-produced spam. Always take the time to find out the person's name and address them directly (e.g., 'Dear Ms. Johnson'). Personalization is the first rule of good client management.

Learn the Verbs

Memorize the verbs that naturally go with 'client'. You 'acquire' or 'win' a new client. You 'serve' or 'advise' a current client. You try to 'retain' an old client. Using these specific business verbs will make your English sound much more fluent and professional.

Client vs. Patient

Never use 'client' when talking about a medical doctor or a hospital. The correct term in healthcare is always 'patient'. Mixing these up can sound very strange to native speakers and might imply a lack of care or a purely financial relationship in a medical setting.

Understand 'Account'

In industries like advertising, public relations, and software sales, you will often hear the word 'account' used instead of 'client'. For example, an 'Account Manager' is the person who manages the client. Knowing this synonym helps you understand corporate job titles.

Clear 'I' Sound

Ensure you pronounce the first syllable with a clear, long 'I' sound, like the word 'eye' (KLY-unt). Mumbling this vowel can make the word hard to understand, especially over phone calls or video conferences where audio quality might be poor.

The Duty of Care

Understand that calling someone a 'client' implies a duty of care. You are expected to look out for their best interests, not just take their money. This ethical standard is deeply embedded in Western business culture and is legally enforced in many professions.

Client-Centric

Use the buzzword 'client-centric' in interviews or proposals to impress native speakers. It means that your business puts the client's needs at the center of every decision. It is a very popular phrase in modern corporate strategy and marketing.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

A CLIENT relies on you to be complIANT with their needs.

Wortherkunft

Late Middle English, from Latin 'cliens', 'client-' meaning 'follower, retainer'.

Kultureller Kontext

Attorney-client privilege means a lawyer cannot be forced to reveal secrets told to them by their client.

In formal emails, always capitalize 'Client' if referring to a specific entity defined in a contract.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"How do you usually find new clients for your business?"

"What is the most challenging part of managing client expectations?"

"Can you describe a time you had to deal with a difficult client?"

"How has client communication changed since the rise of remote work?"

"What strategies do you use for client retention?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe the ideal client for your future career.

Write about a time you were a client. How did the professional treat you?

What do you think is more important: acquiring new clients or keeping old ones? Why?

How does the word 'client' make a business relationship feel different from 'customer'?

Draft a short email welcoming a new client to your imaginary company.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

The main difference lies in the type of relationship and what is being purchased. A customer typically buys physical goods or standard services in a short-term, transactional exchange, like buying groceries. A client pays for highly specialized, professional advice or customized services over a longer period. Professionals like lawyers, accountants, and consultants have clients. The relationship with a client usually involves a higher degree of trust, confidentiality, and personalized attention.

Yes, absolutely. In fact, in B2B (business-to-business) industries, the client is almost always another company or organization. For example, a large corporation might be the client of a marketing agency or an IT consulting firm. In these cases, while you communicate with individual employees of that company, the company itself is the legal client paying for the services.

It depends on whether you are talking about one client or multiple clients. If you are referring to the needs of one single client, you use the singular possessive: 'the client's needs'. If you are referring to the needs of many clients, you use the plural possessive: 'the clients' needs'. Placing the apostrophe correctly is a very common grammar test in professional writing.

Generally, no. In the medical and healthcare professions, the people receiving care are called 'patients'. Calling a sick person a 'client' in a hospital setting sounds very unnatural and overly commercial. However, some private therapists, counselors, or personal trainers might choose to use the word 'client' to emphasize a collaborative, non-medical relationship.

'Client-facing' is an adjective used to describe a job, role, or task that requires direct interaction with clients. A client-facing employee, like an account manager or a consultant, spends a lot of time in meetings, on phone calls, or writing emails to the people who pay for the company's services. Roles that are not client-facing (like a backend software developer) are often called 'internal' or 'back-office' roles.

This is a fundamental legal concept in many justice systems. It means that any communication between a lawyer (attorney) and their client is strictly confidential. The lawyer cannot be forced by a court or the police to reveal what their client told them in private. This privilege exists so that clients can be completely honest with their lawyers without fear of their words being used against them.

You should almost never use the word 'client' as a direct greeting. Writing 'Dear Client' sounds extremely impersonal, robotic, and slightly rude, as if you don't know their name. You should always use their actual name, such as 'Dear Mr. Smith' or 'Hi Sarah'. The word 'client' is used to talk *about* them, not *to* them.

A prospective client is a person or company that might become a client in the future, but has not yet agreed to hire you or sign a contract. They are a 'prospect'. Businesses spend a lot of time and money pitching their services to prospective clients in hopes of 'winning' their business and turning them into actual, paying clients.

'Onboarding' is the process of bringing a new client into your business after they have signed a contract. It involves setting up their accounts, introducing them to the team, explaining how you will work together, and gathering any necessary information to start the project. A smooth onboarding process is crucial for building a strong, long-lasting client relationship.

No, 'clients' is the plural of 'client' (e.g., 'I have three clients'). 'Clientele' is a collective noun that refers to the entire group or body of clients that a business has as a whole. For example, you might say, 'That luxury hotel has a very wealthy clientele.' It describes the general type or collection of people who use the service.

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