Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Customer" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "customer", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
お客様
おきゃくさま (okyakusama)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
顧客
こきゃく (kokyaku)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "customer" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between お客様 and 顧客.
In Japanese, お客様 (おきゃくさま (okyakusama)) is typically associated with "customer, guest" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Polite term for 'customer' or 'guest'. Often used in service industries.
On the other hand, 顧客 (こきゃく (kokyaku)) maps to "customer, client" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents A more formal term for a customer. A literal translation of "customer" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "お客様"
いらっしゃいませ、お客様。
Welcome, customer.
Bilingual Context for "顧客"
当社は顧客の満足を最優先に考えています。
Our company prioritizes customer satisfaction.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "いらっしゃいませ、 ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "Welcome, customer.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "お客様" fits here because it means "customer, guest" in the context of: "Welcome, customer.". "顧客" represents "customer, client".