Meaning
The kanji 客 (kyaku, kaku) means 'guest,' 'visitor,' or 'customer.' It's a common character in Japanese vocabulary, used in many words related to hospitality, commerce, and travel. Its meaning applies to anyone welcomed or hosted, whether in a home, a store, a restaurant, or even on a vehicle.
This kanji is made up of two main parts: the radical 宀 (kanmuri), meaning 'roof' or 'house,' which sits at the top. The lower part is 各 (kaku), which means 'each,' 'every,' or 'individual.' This combination suggests 'each person under a roof,' leading to the concept of a guest or someone welcomed into a dwelling or establishment. The roof radical shows an indoor or protected space, while 各 suggests an individual present there not as a permanent resident, but as a visitor or someone receiving a service.
With 9 strokes, this kanji is taught in the 3rd grade of elementary school in Japan, making it one of the first kanji young Japanese learners encounter. Its inclusion in the JLPT N3 level also highlights its usefulness in daily Japanese communication.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The kanji 客 has two main On'yomi readings: キャク (kyaku) and カク (kaku). These Chinese-derived readings are the most common ways to pronounce 客, especially in compound words.
キャク (kyaku)
キャク is the more frequently encountered reading, used in a wide range of words related to guests, customers, and passengers.
- お客さん (okyaku-san) — Guest, customer (a polite term often used in service industries). This is arguably the most common way to use 客 in daily conversation.
- 乗客 (jōkyaku) — Passenger (e.g., on a train, bus, or airplane). The first character, 乗, means 'to ride.'
- 観客 (kankyaku) — Audience, spectator (e.g., at a concert, play, or sports event). The first character, 観, means 'to observe' or 'to watch.'
- 観光客 (kankōkyaku) — Tourist. This compound combines 観 (to observe), 光 (light/sight), and 客 (guest), literally meaning 'a guest who observes sights.'
カク (kaku)
You'll find カク in more formal or specialized terms, often carrying a slightly more academic or technical nuance, though it's less common than キャク in everyday direct speech.
- 客室 (kakushitsu) — Guest room (e.g., in a hotel or a ship). This term specifically refers to a room designated for guests.
- 来客 (raikaku) — Visitor, guest (often used in the context of someone visiting a company or office). 来 means 'to come.'
- 客観的 (kyakkanteki) — Objective (e.g., an objective viewpoint or perspective). This term combines 客 (guest/external) and 観 (view), meaning 'looking from an external perspective.' It's used in philosophical and scientific contexts.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kanji 客 doesn't have common Kun'yomi readings. It's almost always used with its On'yomi readings (キャク, カク) in modern Japanese, both as a standalone word and within compounds.
Common Words & Compounds
Below is a list of common words and compounds using the kanji 客, grouped by theme to show its many applications:
People & Roles:
- お客さん (okyaku-san) — Guest, customer (polite).
- 乗客 (jōkyaku) — Passenger.
- 観客 (kankyaku) — Audience, spectator.
- 観光客 (kankōkyaku) — Tourist.
- 来客 (raikyaku) — Visitor, caller.
- 得意客 (tokuikyaku) — Regular customer, client.
Places & Spaces:
- 客室 (kakushitsu) — Guest room, cabin.
- 客間 (kyaku-ma) — Guest room, parlor.
Concepts & Perspectives:
- 客観的 (kyakkanteki) — Objective (adjective).
- 客観視 (kyakkanshi) — To view objectively.
- 主客 (shukaku) — Host and guest, subjective and objective.
Example Sentences
お客さんが来ました。
Okyaku-san ga kimashita.
A guest has arrived.
このレストランは客が多いです。
Kono resutoran wa kyaku ga ooi desu.
This restaurant has many customers.
乗客は皆、安全でした。
Jōkyaku wa mina, anzen deshita.
All passengers were safe.
その映画には大勢の観客が集まりました。
Sono eiga ni wa oozei no kankyaku ga atsumarimashita.
Many spectators gathered for that movie.
客室から美しい景色が見えます。
Kakushitsu kara utsukushii keshiki ga miemasu.
You can see a beautiful view from the guest room.
彼は客観的な意見を述べた。
Kare wa kyakkanteki na iken wo nobete ita.
He stated an objective opinion.
その店は常連客に愛されています。
Sono mise wa jourenkyaku ni aisareteimasu.
That shop is loved by its regular customers.
海外からの観光客が増えています。
Kaigai kara no kankōkyaku ga fueteimasu.
The number of tourists from overseas is increasing.
来客のために部屋を掃除しました。
Raikyaku no tame ni heya wo souji shimashita.
I cleaned the room for the visitor.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 客, picture a 'roof' (宀) over 'each' (各) person. Imagine a bustling inn or a lively shop where many people come 'under the roof' as guests or customers. The top part, 宀, literally represents a roof, indicating a gathering place. The bottom part, 各, sounds like 'kaku' and means 'each,' offering both a phonetic and semantic clue. So, visualize each person walking under a roof to become a guest or customer. This image of many individuals entering a building helps you recall the meaning of guest, visitor, or customer.