Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
客人 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
客人
kèrén
visitor
HSK 3, n, 11 strokes, rank #1438, Medium
客人
kèrén
guest
HSK 3, n, 11 strokes, rank #1438, Medium
客人
kèrén
customer
HSK 3, n, 11 strokes, rank #1438, Medium
客人
kèrén
client
HSK 3, n, 11 strokes, rank #1438, Medium
kèrén(ke4ren2)ke ren T4
1visitor
2guest
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
客人kèrén(ke4ren2)
The term '客人' (kèrén) refers to a visitor, guest, or customer. It is commonly used in contexts such as hospitality, shopping, or any situation where someone is being received. The nuance often implies a sense of respect and welcome towards the person being addressed.
Strokes11Frequency#1438DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, hospitality is highly valued, and treating '客人' well reflects one's upbringing and respect for others. It is common to offer food and drink to guests as a sign of honor.
Memory tip
Imagine a '客人' (kèrén) arriving at a fancy restaurant. The character '客' (kè) resembles a person walking through a door, while '人' (rén) means 'person'. Together, think of a guest entering a space, highlighting the welcoming nature of the word.
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 客人
Quick Contrast
顾客 (gùkè) — use '客人' for a guest in a hospitality context, while '顾客' is specific to customers in a commercial setting.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse '客人' with '朋友' (péngyǒu), which means 'friend'. '客人' is more formal and often used in service contexts. Common collocations include '招待客人' (zhāodài kèrén) meaning 'to entertain guests'.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, '客人' connects with other terms related to people and social interactions. Focus on using it in sentences about hospitality or services to solidify its application.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '客人' with '客户' (kèhù), which specifically means 'client'. Remember, '客人' is broader and includes general visitors. For example, saying '我今天有很多客户' (wǒ jīntiān yǒu hěn duō kèhù) is incorrect if referring to guests at a party; use '客人' instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 客人
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 客人, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 客人 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 客人?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 客人 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 term '客人' (kèrén) refers to a visitor, guest, or customer. It is commonly used in contexts such as hospitality, shopping, or any situation where someone is being received. The nuance often implies a sense of respect and welcome towards the person being addressed.
When to use 客人
Be cautious not to confuse '客人' with '朋友' (péngyǒu), which means 'friend'. '客人' is more formal and often used in service contexts. Common collocations include '招待客人' (zhāodài kèrén) meaning 'to entertain guests'.
客人 or something close to it
顾客 (gùkè) — use '客人' for a guest in a hospitality context, while '顾客' is specific to customers in a commercial setting.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse '客人' with '客户' (kèhù), which specifically means 'client'. Remember, '客人' is broader and includes general visitors. For example, saying '我今天有很多客户' (wǒ jīntiān yǒu hěn duō kèhù) is incorrect if referring to guests at a party; use '客人' instead.
Write 客人
客
人
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 客人 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 客人
客人 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.
We have three guests coming over for dinner tonight.
13
客人到了，请给他们倒茶。
Kèrén dào le, qǐng gěi tāmen dào chá.
The guests have arrived, please pour them some tea.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 客人?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 客人
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the term 'guest' may imply a more casual relationship, whereas in Chinese culture, it often carries a deeper sense of duty and respect.
Frequently asked questions about 客人
You can say '欢迎客人' (huānyíng kèrén), which means 'Welcome, guests'.
Yes, '客人' can refer to any visitor or guest, not just customers.
'客人' is generally formal and used in polite contexts.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 客人?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
