顧客

• Reading: こきゃく
• Romaji: kokyaku
• Kanji breakdown: 顧 (ko) — look back, patronise; 客 (kyaku) — guest, customer
• Pronunciation: /ko.kja.kɯ/

Meaning

Customer; client; patron. A formal term for a person who buys goods or services.

A noun (also used as a no-adjective) that is the formal/business equivalent of お客さん (customer). Widely used in corporate, marketing, and service industry contexts. Common collocations include 顧客満足 (customer satisfaction), 顧客情報 (customer data), 顧客対応 (customer service), and 顧客獲得 (customer acquisition). More impersonal and professional than お客様, which is used in direct address.

Examples

1. 顧客満足度を上げることが最優先だ。 Improving customer satisfaction is the top priority.
2. 顧客情報の管理には細心の注意が必要だ。 The utmost care is required in managing customer data.
3. 新規顧客の獲得に力を入れている。 We are putting effort into acquiring new customers.

Usage Guide

Context: business, marketing, corporate, service

Tone: professional

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 顧 (ko, to look back/consider/patronise) + 客 (kyaku, guest/customer). Literally 'a guest who returns,' implying a valued customer who repeatedly patronises a business.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional