Level 5

-객

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Understanding the suffix '-객'

The suffix '-객' is used in Korean to denote a person related to a specific role or status, often translated as '-guest' or '-client' in English. It is attached to nouns to form words that describe people who are customers, visitors, or guests.

Common usages

  • 고객 (gogaeg): customer or client, especially in business or service contexts.
  • 관광객 (gwangwanggaeg): tourist or visitor.
  • 손님 (sonnim) vs 고객 (gogaeg): While both can mean 'guest' or 'customer,' '고객' is more formal and often used in commercial or service settings.

Collocations and patterns

  • 고객 서비스 (customer service): referring to services provided to clients.
  • 관광객 수 (number of tourists): used in tourism statistics.
  • 호텔 객실 (hotel room): '객실' literally means 'guest room.'

Usage notes

'-객' is a Sino-Korean suffix and is mostly used in formal or written language. It is less common in casual speech where native Korean words like '손님' are preferred. Learners should be careful not to confuse '-객' words with similar native Korean words that have slightly different nuances.

Common learner mistake

Confusing '손님' and '고객' can lead to unnatural expressions. Use '고객' when referring to clients or customers in business contexts, and '손님' for general guests or visitors in everyday situations.

Example Sentences

호텔 객실이 모두 예약되었습니다.

Hotel gaeksil-i modu yeyakdoeeossseubnida.

All hotel rooms are fully booked.

손님과 고객은 비슷하지만, 고객은 주로 서비스를 이용하는 사람을 뜻합니다.

Sonnim-gwa gogaeg-eun biseuthajiman, gogaeg-eun juro seobiseu-reul iyonghaneun saram-eul tteuthamnida.

‘Sonnim’ and ‘gogaeg’ are similar, but ‘gogaeg’ mainly refers to a person who uses a service.

이 식당은 외국인 관광객이 많아서 영어 메뉴판이 준비되어 있습니다.

I sikdang-eun oegugin gwangwanggaeg-i manh-aseo yeong-eo menyupan-i junbidoeeo issseubnida.

This restaurant has many foreign tourists, so an English menu is prepared.