客户

• Pinyin: kè hù
• Hanzi breakdown: 客 = 宀 (roof) + 各 (each), meaning guest under roof; 户 = pictograph of a door, extended to mean household

Meaning

Client; customer. A person or organization that uses professional services or buys products.

The standard business term for clients or customers, especially in B2B contexts, professional services, banking, and corporate settings. More formal than 顾客 (customer in retail). Used extensively in business communication.

Examples

1. 我们公司有超过一千家企业客户。 Our company has over one thousand corporate clients.
2. 客户对我们的服务非常满意。 The clients are very satisfied with our service.
3. 销售团队正在努力开发新客户。 The sales team is working hard to develop new customers.

Usage Guide

Context: business, professional, commercial

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 客户永远是对的。(The customer is always right.)
• 请把这份报告发给客户。(Please send this report to the client.)

Don't Say

• 餐厅的客户在吃饭。(For restaurant diners, use 顾客 or 客人 — 客户 is for business clients)

Origin & History

客 (kè, guest/customer) + 户 (hù, household/door). Together they refer to someone who comes to your 'door' as a customer.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Professional