Meaning
顾客 refers to a person who purchases goods or services from a business. It is a general term used in commerce and retail settings to describe the buying party in a transaction. The word emphasizes the relationship between the buyer and the seller or service provider.
Usage
顾客 is used in both formal and informal contexts, commonly in retail, restaurants, hotels, and service industries. It is more formal than 客人 (guest) and specifically emphasizes the commercial relationship. Shop owners and service staff frequently use this term when referring to people who patronize their establishments.
Examples
- 01这家餐厅的顾客很多，需要提前预订。, .This restaurant has many customers, so you need to make a reservation in advance.
- 02作为老顾客，他经常能享受到折扣。, .As a regular customer, he often enjoys discounts.
Characters
Measure words
- 位一位顾客
- 个三个顾客
Common collocations
- 老顾客regular customer, loyal customer
- 潜在顾客potential customer
- 吸引顾客to attract customers
- 顾客至上the customer is paramount
Antonyms
Origin
The character 顾 originally meant 'to turn the head to look' and evolved to mean 'to care for' or 'to patronize.' Combined with 客 (guest), 顾客 literally means 'a guest who patronizes,' reflecting the commercial relationship.