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March 24, 2026
客kè(ke4)
The character 客 (kè) refers to a customer, visitor, or guest. It is commonly used in contexts involving hospitality, commerce, and social interactions where one person is receiving services or is being hosted. Its nuance conveys a sense of respect and importance towards the person being addressed.
Strokes9Radical宀Frequency#2426DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, hospitality is highly valued, and the concept of being a guest (客) is associated with honor and respect. This is reflected in traditional practices where hosts go to great lengths to ensure their guests feel welcome.
Memory Tip
Imagine a guest (客, kè) arriving at a grand hotel. The roof represents the top of the hotel, while the person at the entrance symbolizes the guest being welcomed. Picture the 'kè' sound as the friendly greeting one would say to a visitor.
Meanings of 客
kè(ke4)
1customer
2visitor
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 客
客Simplified
9Strokes
宀Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2426Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1
Podcast: 客
Podcast: 客
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AI Study Notes for 客
Quick Contrast
宾 (bīn) - use 客 (kè) when emphasizing the role of a customer or visitor in a commercial context, while 宾 (bīn) is more formal and often used in ceremonial or official contexts.
Usage Notes
Be mindful that 客 (kè) is often used in formal contexts, especially in hospitality. Common collocations include 客人 (kèrén - guest) and 客户 (kèhù - client). Avoid confusing it with 课 (kè - class) which sounds similar but has a different meaning.
HSK Study Tips
While 客 (kè) is not a specific HSK level word, it connects well with other words related to social interactions and commerce. Students should focus on its usage in phrases and practice dialogues involving guests and customers.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 客 (kè) with 课 (kè), which means 'class.' For example, saying '我有一个客' when you mean '我有一个课' (I have a class) is incorrect; instead, use '课' for class-related contexts.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 客
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Knowing 客 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 客 (kè) refers to a customer, visitor, or guest. It is commonly used in contexts involving hospitality, commerce, and social interactions where one person is receiving services or is being hosted. Its nuance conveys a sense of respect and importance towards the person being addressed.
When to use 客
Be mindful that 客 (kè) is often used in formal contexts, especially in hospitality. Common collocations include 客人 (kèrén - guest) and 客户 (kèhù - client). Avoid confusing it with 课 (kè - class) which sounds similar but has a different meaning.
客 or something close to it
宾 (bīn) - use 客 (kè) when emphasizing the role of a customer or visitor in a commercial context, while 宾 (bīn) is more formal and often used in ceremonial or official contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 客 (kè) with 课 (kè), which means 'class.' For example, saying '我有一个客' when you mean '我有一个课' (I have a class) is incorrect; instead, use '课' for class-related contexts.
Write 客
客
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Grammar Patterns of 客
客 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The view of lake and plunging cliffs seduces visitors.
10
国王只不过是给了这些政客自缚的绳子。
guó wáng zhī bù guò shì gěi le zhè xiē zhèng kè zì fù de shéng zǐ。
The King has merely given the politicians enough rope to hang themselves.
11
这家商店的客很多。
Zhè jiā shāngdiàn de kè hěn duō.
This store has many customers.
12
这位客正在买水果。
Zhè wèi kè zhèngzài mǎi shuǐguǒ.
This customer is buying fruit.
13
餐厅的客都很满意。
Cāntīng de kè dōu hěn mǎnyì.
The customers at the restaurant are all very satisfied.
14
客在柜台前排队付钱。
Kè zài guìtái qián páiduì fù qián.
Customers are lining up at the counter to pay.
15
那家咖啡店每天都有很多客。
Nà jiā kāfēi diàn měitiān dōu yǒu hěn duō kè.
That coffee shop has many customers every day.
16
服务员正在为客倒茶。
Fúwùyuán zhèngzài wèi kè dào chá.
The waiter is pouring tea for the customer.
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Cultural Notes for 客
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While the idea of a guest is important in both cultures, Western customs might prioritize informality, whereas in China, the role of a guest often comes with more formal expectations and rituals.
Word Family of 客
Compounds9
额e2variant of 額
喀ka1to vomit; used in transliterations
髂qia4pelvis, hip bone
愘
愙
揢
楁
碦
額e2forehead; quota, amount
Words Containing This Character20
客户kèhùclient客戶
客kècustomer
客人kèrénvisitor
客气kèqipolite客氣
顾客gùkèclient顧客
乘客chéngkèpassenger
游客yóukètraveler遊客
客观kèguānobjective客觀
旅客lǚkètraveler
客厅kètīngliving room客廳
客场away-game arena客場
客房kèfángguest room
请客qǐngkèto give a dinner party請客
客车kèchēcoach客車
客运kèyùn(Tw) intercity bus客運
博客bókèweblog
政客politician
刺客assassin
做客zuòkèto be a guest or visitor
房客tenant
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 客
What does 喀 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 客
客 (kè) generally refers to any guest or customer, while 访客 (fǎngkè) specifically means a visitor who comes to visit someone.
Yes, 客 (kè) is frequently used in business to refer to customers or clients.
It is pronounced with a falling tone, similar to saying 'k' followed by a short 'uh' sound.
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