khách
Nhà tôi có khách.
My house has guests.
a person who visits someone's home, place of business, or country
Khách đến chơi nhà.
Guests come to visit our home.
Chúng tôi chào đón khách du lịch.
We welcome tourists.
Can refer to any visitor, not just tourists or social guests.
a person who buys goods or services from a business
Cửa hàng này có nhiều khách quen.
This shop has many regular customers.
Commonly used in commerce to mean 'customer'.
Collocations
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'khách' and 'khách hàng'
'Khách' is more general, while 'khách hàng' specifically refers to customers in a business context. In daily speech, 'khách' alone can mean 'customer' if the context is clear.
Gold Rule
Context determines meaning
'Khách' can mean 'guest', 'customer', or 'visitor' depending on the situation. Always check the surrounding context to clarify.
Word Origin
From Sino-Vietnamese '客', ultimately from Old Chinese *kʰrâk (guest, visitor).
Usage Notes
Used broadly for visitors, customers, or guests in both social and professional contexts. In Southern Vietnam, 'khách' often replaces 'khách hàng' in casual speech.