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A1 noun #3,000 más común 10 min de lectura

客人

keren Top 3,000

At the A1 level, '客人' (kè rén) is introduced as a basic noun meaning 'guest' or 'customer'. Beginners learn this word in the context of simple daily routines, such as having someone visit their home or going to a restaurant. The focus is on recognizing the characters and understanding that it can refer to both a friend coming over for dinner and a person buying a coffee at a cafe. It is taught alongside basic verbs like '来' (to come) and '有' (to have). For example, '我家有客人' (My house has guests). It is a foundational vocabulary word that helps learners describe simple social situations and basic commercial transactions without needing complex grammar.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of '客人' by incorporating measure words and more descriptive language. They learn to use '位' (wèi) for politeness, saying '一位客人' instead of just '一个客人'. They also start using it with more specific verbs related to hospitality, such as '请' (to invite) and '等' (to wait for). At this stage, students can form sentences like '我们在等客人' (We are waiting for the guests) or '餐厅里有很多客人' (There are many customers in the restaurant). The distinction between a guest at home and a customer in a shop becomes clearer, and learners can use the word comfortably in short dialogues about daily life, shopping, and dining out.

By the B1 level, '客人' is used in more complex sentences involving time, conditions, and social etiquette. Learners are expected to understand the cultural importance of hospitality in Chinese society, which is reflected in how '客人' is treated. Vocabulary related to hosting, such as '招待' (to entertain/host) and '迎接' (to welcome), is integrated. Students might write or speak about preparing for guests: '为了招待客人，妈妈做了一桌子好菜' (To entertain the guests, mom cooked a table full of good food). They also learn to differentiate '客人' from similar words like '顾客' (retail customer) and '客户' (business client), understanding the appropriate contexts for each.

At the B2 level, the usage of '客人' becomes more nuanced and idiomatic. Learners encounter the word in authentic texts, such as news articles, literature, and business reports. They can discuss the concept of customer service ('客人就是上帝' - The customer is God) and analyze the social dynamics of hosting. They use advanced grammar structures to describe interactions with guests or customers. For instance, they can express hypothetical situations or complex opinions: '无论客人提出什么要求，我们都应该尽量满足' (No matter what demands the customer makes, we should try our best to satisfy them). The focus is on fluency, cultural appropriateness, and precision in vocabulary choice.

At the C1 level, '客人' is understood not just as a vocabulary word, but as a cultural concept deeply embedded in Chinese social relations (Guanxi) and etiquette (Mianzi). Learners can read classical or highly formal texts where related terms like '宾客' are used, and they understand the subtle shifts in register. They can engage in sophisticated discussions about the hospitality industry, consumer behavior, or traditional Chinese hosting customs. They might analyze essays on the changing nature of customer relations in modern China. The word is used effortlessly in complex, multi-clause sentences, and learners can easily navigate the subtle differences between '客人', '客户', '顾客', and '宾客' in professional and academic contexts.

At the C2 level, mastery of '客人' involves a near-native understanding of its etymology, cultural resonance, and idiomatic usage. Learners can appreciate literary metaphors involving guests and hosts (e.g., '喧宾夺主' - a presumptuous guest usurps the host's role). They can write elegant, formal prose or deliver speeches regarding hospitality, diplomacy, or business strategy, using the exact right term for 'guest' or 'customer' depending on the micro-context. They understand regional variations in how the word is used and can play with the language, using '客人' in creative or rhetorical ways. The word is fully integrated into their extensive vocabulary, allowing for precise and culturally profound communication.

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

客人 en 30 segundos

Means 'guest' (at home) or 'customer' (in a shop/restaurant).
Pronounced as 'kè rén' (4th tone, 2nd tone).
Common measure words: 位 (polite), 个 (casual).
Do not use for corporate B2B clients (use 客户 instead).

The Chinese word 客人 (kè rén) is a fundamental A1 level noun that primarily translates to 'guest' or 'customer'. In traditional Chinese culture, hospitality is paramount, making this word essential for everyday communication. It is composed of two characters: 客 (kè), meaning 'guest, visitor, or traveler', and 人 (rén), meaning 'person'. Together, they form a highly versatile term used in both personal and commercial contexts. When you invite someone to your home, they are your 客人. When someone walks into your shop or restaurant to purchase goods or services, they are also your 客人. This dual meaning often surprises beginners, but it reflects a cultural perspective where customers are treated with the same respect and hospitality as personal guests.

Primary Meaning: A person who is invited to visit someone's home or attend a specific social event.

Secondary Meaning: A person who buys goods or services from a shop, restaurant, or business.

Cultural Nuance: Treating a customer as a guest implies a high level of service and respect, deeply rooted in Chinese hospitality.

今天家里会来几个客人。(Jīntiān jiālǐ huì lái jǐ gè kè rén.) - We will have a few guests at home today.

这家餐厅的客人很多。(Zhè jiā cāntīng de kè rén hěn duō.) - This restaurant has many customers.

我们要好好招待客人。(Wǒmen yào hǎohǎo zhāodài kè rén.) - We must entertain the guests well.

客人们正在客厅喝茶。(Kè rén men zhèngzài kètīng hē chá.) - The guests are drinking tea in the living room.

请问您是这里的客人吗？(Qǐngwèn nín shì zhèlǐ de kè rén ma?) - Excuse me, are you a guest here?

Understanding the context is key to translating 客人 correctly. If the setting is a house, it's 'guest'. If the setting is a store, it's 'customer'. This simplicity makes it a powerful word for beginners to master early on in their language learning journey. It bridges the gap between social interactions and basic commercial transactions.

Using 客人 (kè rén) correctly involves understanding its collocations, measure words, and the verbs commonly associated with it. As a noun, it functions as the subject or object of a sentence. The most polite measure word to use with 客人 is 位 (wèi), which shows respect. For example, 一位客人 (one guest/customer). In more casual, everyday speech, you can use 个 (gè), as in 一个客人. When dealing with groups, you can use 批 (pī) for a batch or group of guests, e.g., 一批客人. The verbs used with 客人 often revolve around hospitality and service. Common verbs include 请 (qǐng - to invite), 招待 (zhāodài - to entertain/host), 迎 (yíng - to welcome), and 送 (sòng - to see off). Understanding these verb-noun pairings is crucial for natural-sounding Chinese.

Measure Words: 位 (wèi) for respect, 个 (gè) for general use, 批 (pī) for groups, 桌 (zhuō) for tables of guests.

Action Verbs: 招待 (zhāodài - entertain), 迎接 (yíngjiē - welcome), 送 (sòng - see off), 邀请 (yāoqǐng - invite).

Descriptive Adjectives: 尊贵的 (zūnguì de - honorable), 重要的 (zhòngyào de - important), 稀客 (xīkè - rare guest).

妈妈在厨房为客人做饭。(Māma zài chúfáng wèi kè rén zuò fàn.) - Mom is cooking for the guests in the kitchen.

作为主人，你应该主动和客人打招呼。(Zuòwéi zhǔrén, nǐ yīnggāi zhǔdòng hé kè rén dǎ zhāohu.) - As the host, you should take the initiative to greet the guests.

服务员正在为那一桌客人点菜。(Fúwùyuán zhèngzài wèi nà yī zhuō kè rén diǎn cài.) - The waiter is taking orders for that table of customers.

我们酒店可以容纳五百位客人。(Wǒmen jiǔdiàn kěyǐ róngnà wǔbǎi wèi kè rén.) - Our hotel can accommodate 500 guests.

他是一个非常挑剔的客人。(Tā shì yí gè fēicháng tiāotì de kè rén.) - He is a very picky customer.

By mastering these combinations, you can effectively describe various social and business scenarios. Whether you are managing a shop, hosting a dinner party, or working in the hospitality industry, knowing how to properly address and refer to your 客人 is a vital skill that demonstrates cultural competence and linguistic fluency.

The word 客人 (kè rén) is ubiquitous in everyday Chinese life. You will hear it in a wide variety of settings, ranging from intimate family gatherings to bustling commercial environments. In a domestic setting, parents might tell their children, '今天有客人来' (Guests are coming today), prompting a flurry of cleaning and preparation. In the service industry, it is the standard term used by staff to refer to patrons. Walk into any restaurant, and you might hear the host shout to the waiters, '有客人来了！' (Customers have arrived!). In hotels, receptionists use it to refer to the people staying in their rooms. It is also frequently heard in retail stores, beauty salons, and taxi cabs. The context heavily dictates whether the English translation should be 'guest' or 'customer'.

At Home: Used by family members to refer to visiting friends, relatives, or acquaintances.

In Restaurants: Used by staff to refer to diners. '客人点菜' (The customer is ordering).

In Hotels: Used by management and staff to refer to the people staying at the establishment.

快去开门，客人到了。(Kuài qù kāi mén, kè rén dào le.) - Go open the door quickly, the guests have arrived.

老板，外面有一位客人找您。(Lǎobǎn, wàimiàn yǒu yí wèi kè rén zhǎo nín.) - Boss, there is a guest outside looking for you.

这家店的客人总是络绎不绝。(Zhè jiā diàn de kè rén zǒngshì luòyìbùjué.) - This shop always has an endless stream of customers.

请给这桌客人加点水。(Qǐng gěi zhè zhuō kè rén jiā diǎn shuǐ.) - Please add some water for the customers at this table.

所有的客人都已经入座了。(Suǒyǒu de kè rén dōu yǐjīng rùzuò le.) - All the guests have taken their seats.

Understanding where and how 客人 is used provides a window into Chinese social dynamics. The blurring of the line between 'guest' and 'customer' in the language reflects a service philosophy where commercial transactions are ideally conducted with the warmth and respect of hosting a personal friend. This is why you will hear the word so frequently in both private and public spheres.

While 客人 (kè rén) is a simple word, learners often make mistakes regarding its specific usage compared to similar terms, or by applying incorrect measure words. A very common error is using 客人 to refer to a client in a professional, corporate B2B (business-to-business) setting. In such cases, 客户 (kèhù) is the correct term. 客人 is more for retail, hospitality, or personal guests. Another mistake is confusing it with 顾客 (gùkè). While both mean customer, 顾客 is strictly for retail customers (shoppers), whereas 客人 can be guests at home OR customers in a restaurant/hotel. Learners also sometimes use the wrong measure word, defaulting to 个 when 位 would be more appropriate and polite in a formal setting.

客人 vs 客户: Use 客人 for retail/hospitality/home. Use 客户 for corporate clients or long-term business accounts.

客人 vs 顾客: 顾客 is only for shoppers/buyers. 客人 is broader, including personal guests.

Measure Word Errors: Using 个 is okay casually, but failing to use 位 in a service environment sounds unprofessional.

❌ 错误: 我们的公司有很多大客人。
✅ 正确: 我们的公司有很多大客户。(Wǒmen de gōngsī yǒu hěn duō dà kèhù.) - Our company has many big clients.

❌ 错误: 医院里有很多客人。
✅ 正确: 医院里有很多病人。(Yīyuàn lǐ yǒu hěn duō bìngrén.) - There are many patients in the hospital.

❌ 错误: 他是我的一个好客人 (meaning friend).
✅ 正确: 他是我的一个好朋友。(Tā shì wǒ de yí gè hǎo péngyou.) - He is a good friend of mine.

❌ 错误: 那个客人买了一辆汽车 (referring to a dealership buyer).
✅ 正确: 那个顾客/客户买了一辆汽车。(Nà gè gùkè/kèhù mǎi le yí liàng qìchē.) - That customer/client bought a car.

❌ 错误: 两个客人请进 (by a formal host).
✅ 正确: 两位客人请进。(Liǎng wèi kè rén qǐng jìn.) - Two guests, please come in.

By paying attention to these subtle distinctions, you can elevate your Chinese from a basic beginner level to a more natural and contextually accurate intermediate level. Always ask yourself: is this a personal guest, a retail shopper, or a corporate client? Your answer will guide you to the correct vocabulary choice.

To fully grasp 客人 (kè rén), it is helpful to compare it with similar words in the Chinese vocabulary. The Chinese language is rich in specific terms for different types of visitors and patrons. 宾客 (bīnkè) is a more formal and literary term for guests, often used in the context of large banquets, weddings, or official state visits. 顾客 (gùkè) specifically refers to a customer who purchases goods, typically in a retail setting like a supermarket or clothing store. 客户 (kèhù) translates to 'client' and is used in professional services, banking, B2B sales, and corporate environments. 旅客 (lǚkè) or 游客 (yóukè) refers to travelers or tourists. Understanding these synonyms and related terms helps build a more precise and nuanced vocabulary.

宾客 (bīnkè): Formal guests. Used for weddings, banquets, and official events.

顾客 (gùkè): Retail customers. People who buy things in shops or malls.

客户 (kèhù): Clients. Used in business, banking, and professional services.

婚礼上的宾客都非常开心。(Hūnlǐ shàng de bīnkè dōu fēicháng kāixīn.) - The guests at the wedding were all very happy.

超市里有很多顾客。(Chāoshì lǐ yǒu hěn duō gùkè.) - There are many customers in the supermarket.

我们需要维护好与大客户的关系。(Wǒmen xūyào wéihù hǎo yǔ dà kèhù de guānxi.) - We need to maintain good relationships with our major clients.

长城每天接待成千上万的游客。(Chángchéng měitiān jiēdài chéngqiān shàngwàn de yóukè.) - The Great Wall receives thousands of tourists every day.

各位旅客请注意，火车即将进站。(Gèwèi lǚkè qǐng zhùyì, huǒchē jíjiāng jìn zhàn.) - Attention passengers, the train is about to enter the station.

By learning these related words, you not only expand your vocabulary but also gain insight into how Chinese categorizes social and economic relationships. The distinction between a personal guest, a retail shopper, a corporate client, and a tourist is clearly delineated in the language, reflecting a highly structured approach to social interactions and business etiquette.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Nivel de dificultad

Gramática que debes saber

Ejemplos por nivel

我家今天有客人。

My home today has guests.

Subject + 有 + 客人 (Subject has guests).

他是我们的客人。

He is our guest.

是 (to be) used to identify someone as a guest.

客人来了。

The guest has arrived.

Verb + 了 indicating completed action.

店里没有客人。

There are no customers in the shop.

没有 (do not have) for negation.

客人喝茶吗？

Does the guest drink tea?

Yes/no question using 吗.

几个客人？

How many guests?

Question word 几 (how many) for small numbers.

客人很好。

The guest is very nice.

Adjective predicate with 很.

再见，客人。

Goodbye, guest/customer.

Basic greeting/farewell.

请客人坐下。

Please ask the guest to sit down.

Imperative sentence using 请 (please).

那位客人买了一本书。

That customer bought a book.

Measure word 位 for polite reference.

我们在等客人吃饭。

We are waiting for the guests to eat.

Verb 等 (to wait).

客人想吃什么？

What does the guest want to eat?

Auxiliary verb 想 (want to).

昨天来了很多客人。

Many guests came yesterday.

Time word 昨天 at the beginning.

给客人倒杯水。

Pour a cup of water for the guest.

Preposition 给 (for/to).

客人们都很高兴。

The guests are all very happy.

Plural marker 们 and adverb 都 (all).

这家饭店的客人不多。

This restaurant doesn't have many customers.

Possessive 的 connecting noun and noun.

为了招待客人，妈妈做了一桌子好菜。

To entertain the guests, mom cooked a table full of good food.

为了 (in order to) expressing purpose.

作为主人，你应该主动跟客人打招呼。

As the host, you should take the initiative to greet the guests.

作为 (as) indicating role or capacity.

如果客人不满意，我们可以退款。

If the customer is not satisfied, we can refund the money.

Conditional clause with 如果 (if).

虽然下雨了，但还是来了不少客人。

Although it rained, quite a few guests still came.

Conjunction 虽然...但是 (although...but).

服务员热情地为客人服务。

The waiter served the customers enthusiastically.

Adverbial marker 地 (de).

把客人送到门口吧。

See the guests to the door.

把 structure for handling an object.

这位客人是我们店的常客。

This customer is a regular at our shop.

Compound word 常客 (regular customer).

客人走后，我们开始打扫房间。

After the guests left, we started cleaning the room.

Time clause with 后 (after).

无论客人提出什么要求，我们都尽量满足。

No matter what demands the customer makes, we try our best to satisfy them.

无论...都 (no matter...all) structure.

在服务行业，‘客人就是上帝’是一句名言。

In the service industry, 'the customer is God' is a famous saying.

Quotation used as a subject.

酒店经理亲自出面，向那位生气的客人道歉。

The hotel manager personally came forward to apologize to the angry guest.

Adverb 亲自 (personally).

随着旅游业的发展，来这里的外国客人越来越多。

With the development of tourism, more and more foreign guests are coming here.

随着 (along with) indicating accompanying circumstances.

即使是最挑剔的客人，也对这道菜赞不绝口。

Even the pickiest customers are full of praise for this dish.

即使...也 (even if...still) structure.

我们要根据客人的反馈来改进我们的产品。

We need to improve our products based on customer feedback.

根据 (according to / based on).

逢年过节，家里总会迎来送往一批又一批的客人。

During festivals, the family always welcomes and sees off batch after batch of guests.

Idiom 迎来送往 (welcoming and seeing off).

这家餐厅凭借其独特的口味，吸引了无数回头客。

Relying on its unique taste, this restaurant has attracted countless returning customers.

凭借 (relying on) and 回头客 (returning customer).

优秀的客服人员能够敏锐地察觉到客人未言明的需求。

Excellent customer service staff can acutely perceive the unspoken needs of the guests.

Advanced vocabulary 敏锐 (acutely) and 未言明 (unspoken).

在传统的中国礼仪中，主客之分有着严格的规范，客人应受到最高规格的礼遇。

In traditional Chinese etiquette, the distinction between host and guest has strict norms, and guests should receive the highest standard of courteous reception.

Formal phrasing 主客之分 (distinction between host and guest).

面对客人的无理取闹，她依然保持着职业的微笑和冷静。

Facing the customer's unreasonable behavior, she still maintained a professional smile and calmness.

Idiom 无理取闹 (make trouble out of nothing).

商家不应仅仅将客人视为盈利的工具，而应建立长期的信任关系。

Merchants should not merely view customers as tools for profit, but should establish long-term relationships of trust.

不应仅仅...而应 (should not merely... but should).

这套高端定制服务旨在为尊贵的客人提供无与伦比的体验。

This high-end customized service aims to provide distinguished guests with an unparalleled experience.

Formal adjectives 尊贵 (distinguished) and 无与伦比 (unparalleled).

客流量的急剧下降迫使该店重新审视其吸引客人的营销策略。

The sharp decline in foot traffic forced the store to re-examine its marketing strategy for attracting customers.

Academic/business vocabulary 客流量 (foot traffic) and 审视 (re-examine).

他深谙待客之道，总能让每一位到访的客人感到宾至如归。

He is well-versed in the art of hospitality and can always make every visiting guest feel at home.

Idioms 深谙 (well-versed) and 宾至如归 (feel at home).

在激烈的市场竞争中，谁能留住客人，谁就能立于不败之地。

In fierce market competition, whoever can retain customers can stand in an invincible position.

Rhetorical structure 谁能...谁就能 (whoever can... can).

纵观商业发展史，‘客大欺店，店大欺客’的博弈始终存在。

Looking throughout the history of commercial development, the game of 'big customers bullying small shops, and big shops bullying small customers' has always existed.

Proverb 客大欺店，店大欺客.

一篇优秀的公关文案，不仅要平息客人的怒火，更要将其转化为品牌的忠诚拥趸。

An excellent PR copy must not only quell the customer's anger but also transform them into loyal brand advocates.

Advanced vocabulary 拥趸 (advocates/fans).

中国古代文人墨客常以诗酒会友，此时的‘客’已超越了世俗的拜访，升华为精神的契合。

Ancient Chinese literati often gathered friends with poetry and wine; at this time, the 'guest' transcended secular visiting and sublimated into spiritual harmony.

Literary phrasing 文人墨客 (literati) and 升华 (sublimate).

企业若陷入唯客是尊的极端，反而可能丧失自身的品牌调性与核心价值。

If an enterprise falls into the extreme of treating the customer as absolute supreme, it may conversely lose its own brand tone and core value.

Formal expression 唯客是尊 (treating the customer as supreme).

在跨文化交际中，对‘客人’边界的界定往往折射出不同民族的深层心理结构。

In cross-cultural communication, the definition of the boundaries of a 'guest' often reflects the deep psychological structures of different nations.

Academic sociological vocabulary.

那家百年老店之所以能历经沧桑而不倒，全凭几代人对客人始终如一的赤诚之心。

The reason why that century-old shop has survived the vicissitudes of time without falling is entirely due to the consistent, absolute sincerity of several generations towards their customers.

Idioms 历经沧桑 (survived vicissitudes) and 始终如一 (consistent).

主客之势的逆转，往往发生在供需关系发生根本性变革的临界点上。

The reversal of the dynamic between host (seller) and guest (buyer) often occurs at the critical point when a fundamental transformation in the supply and demand relationship takes place.

Economic/analytical phrasing 主客之势 (dynamic between host and guest).

他以一种近乎虔诚的姿态对待每一位客人，仿佛他们是命运派来的使者。

He treats every guest with an almost pious attitude, as if they were messengers sent by fate.

Literary metaphor 虔诚 (pious) and 使者 (messenger).

Colocaciones comunes

招待客人

迎接客人

请客人

送客人

一位客人

常客

稀客

请客

客房

客流量

Frases Comunes

客人来了

家里有客人

招待不周

客人请坐

客人慢走

迎客

送客

熟客

生客

回头客

Se confunde a menudo con

客人 vs 客户

客人 vs 顾客

客人 vs 宾客

客人 vs 旅客

Modismos y expresiones

Fácil de confundir

客人 vs 客户

Client. Used in professional, corporate, or B2B settings.

客人 vs 顾客

Shopper/Customer. Strictly used for people buying goods in retail.

客人 vs 宾客

Formal guest. Used for banquets, weddings, and official events.

客人 vs 旅客

Passenger/Traveler. Used in transportation and tourism.

客人 vs 常客

Regular customer. A specific type of 客人 who visits frequently.

Patrones de oraciones

Cómo usarlo

medical

Never use 客人 for patients; use 病人.

business

Use 客户 for B2B clients, 顾客 for retail shoppers, 客人 for hospitality/general customers.

transportation

Use 乘客 for passengers on buses/trains/planes, though taxi drivers might say 客人.

Errores comunes

Using 个 instead of 位 in formal service situations (e.g., saying 一个客人 instead of 一位客人).
Using 客人 to refer to a corporate business client (should be 客户).
Using 客人 as an adjective to mean 'polite' (should be 客气).
Using 客人 for passengers on an airplane or train (should be 乘客).
Using 客人 for patients in a hospital or clinic (should be 病人).

Consejos

Always use 位 for politeness

When working in a restaurant or hotel, never say '一个客人'. Always say '一位客人' to show professional respect.

Serve tea first

When a 客人 arrives at your home or office, the very first thing you should do is offer them a cup of tea or warm water.

B2B vs B2C

Remember: B2C (retail/hospitality) = 客人. B2B (corporate/services) = 客户. Don't mix them up in business emails!

Tone practice

Practice the 4th tone followed by the 2nd tone: KÈ (sharp drop) RÉN (rising up). Exaggerate the tones at first.

Learn 宾至如归

Memorize the idiom 宾至如归 (guests feel at home). It's a great compliment to give a host or to use in hospitality marketing.

Restaurant listening

Next time you enter a Chinese restaurant, listen for the staff shouting '几位客人？' (How many guests?).

Don't be too polite

If you are the 客人 at a close friend's house, they might tell you '别客气' (Don't be polite/Make yourself at home).

Character components

Write the character 客 by starting with the roof radical (宀), then the components for 'each' (各). Guests come under your roof.

Not for patients

Never call a hospital patient a 客人. The correct word is 病人 (bìngrén - sick person).

The Karen trick

Use the 'Karen' mnemonic. Karen = kè rén = customer. It's silly but highly effective for English speakers.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine a person (人) arriving under your roof (宀) with their own baggage (各). They are your guest (客人)!

Origen de la palabra

The character 客 originally depicted a person (各) arriving under a roof (宀), symbolizing a traveler or visitor arriving at a house.

Contexto cultural

The most important guest (主客) sits facing the door at a round dining table.

Guests (客人) visiting a home usually bring fruits, tea, or alcohol.

Serving tea is the first and most basic requirement when receiving a 客人.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Inicios de conversación

"今天家里有客人吗？"

"这家店的客人多不多？"

"你怎么招待外国客人？"

"你喜欢做客人还是做主人？"

"遇到不讲理的客人怎么办？"

Temas para diario

Describe a time you had an important 客人 at your house.

Write about your experience as a 客人 in a foreign country.

If you opened a restaurant, how would you treat your 客人?

What is the difference between 客人 and 朋友?

Write a dialogue between a waiter and a 客人.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, if your friends are visiting your home, they are your guests (客人). However, if you are just hanging out casually, you might just refer to them as friends (朋友). Calling them 客人 emphasizes the hosting aspect. For example, '今天朋友来家里做客' (Today friends are coming to the house as guests).

顾客 (gùkè) strictly means a retail customer or shopper who buys goods. 客人 (kè rén) is broader. It can mean a retail customer, but it also means a guest in a hotel, a diner in a restaurant, or a personal guest in your home. All 顾客 are technically 客人, but not all 客人 are 顾客.

In Chinese culture, the host (主人) is expected to pay for the guest (客人) to show hospitality and gain 'face' (面子). Fighting over the bill is a polite gesture where the guest tries to show they don't want to be a burden, while the host insists on treating them. It's a traditional social dance.

The most common and polite measure word is 位 (wèi). For example, 一位客人 (one guest). In very casual spoken Chinese, you can use 个 (gè), like 一个客人. If you are talking about a group, you can use 批 (pī), meaning a batch of guests.

Yes, it's a popular mnemonic! The pronunciation of 客人 (kè rén) sounds very similar to the English name 'Karen'. Since 'Karen' is an internet slang term for a demanding customer, it perfectly links the sound to the meaning of 'customer'.

The phrase is 请客 (qǐng kè). It literally means 'invite guest'. It is used when you are paying for someone else's meal or entertainment. For example, '今天我请客' means 'It's my treat today'.

No, 客人 is strictly a noun. If you want to describe someone as being polite or acting like a guest, you use the adjective 客气 (kèqì). For example, '你太客气了' (You are too polite).

The opposite of a guest is a host, which is 主人 (zhǔrén) in a domestic setting. In a commercial setting, the opposite of a customer would be the boss 老板 (lǎobǎn) or the shopkeeper 店家 (diànjiā).

Yes, taxi drivers often refer to their passengers as 客人. However, the formal term for a passenger on public transport (bus, train, plane) is 乘客 (chéngkè).

A regular customer is called a 常客 (chángkè), combining 常 (often) and 客 (guest). Another common term is 回头客 (huítóukè), which literally means 'turn-around guest', referring to a customer who returns.