游客

• Pinyin: yóu kè
• Hanzi breakdown: 游 = 氵 (water) + 方 (direction) + 子 (child, phonetic), meaning 'to swim/travel'; 客 = 宀 (roof) + 各 (each), meaning 'guest'

Meaning

Tourist; visitor; sightseer. A person who is travelling or visiting a place for pleasure.

Used for people visiting scenic spots, cities, or attractions. Very common in travel-related contexts. Different from 客人 (guest) which is more general. During holidays like National Day and Spring Festival, tourist numbers surge at popular sites across China.

Examples

1. 长城上有很多游客。 There are many tourists on the Great Wall.
2. 这个季节来这里的游客特别多。 There are especially many tourists here during this season.
3. 游客们在拍照留念。 The tourists are taking photos as souvenirs.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这里每年吸引很多游客。(This place attracts many tourists every year.)
• 请游客们注意安全。(Tourists, please pay attention to safety.)

Don't Say

• 我家来了一个游客。(Don't use 游客 for someone visiting your home — that's a 客人. 游客 is for tourists visiting attractions.)

Origin & History

Compound of 游 (to travel/tour) and 客 (guest/visitor), literally 'travelling guest.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal