How to Say ‘Customer’ in Japanese
お客様
o kyaku sama
[oh kyah-koo sah-mah]
💬 Usage Tip: [お] + [客] + [様] makes a respectful term. Great for interviews and service jobs.
🇯🇵 In Japan: “Customer-first” thinking is often emphasized. Showing respect in wording reflects your service mindset.
Phrase Breakdown
お客
o kyaku
customer / guest (polite prefix + guest)
「客」 means guest/customer. Adding 「お」 is an honorific prefix, making it more polite: 「お客」. Often becomes even more polite with 「様」 → 「お客様」.
お客さんが来ました。
A customer/guest came.
Words in this phrase
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix (polite)
Used to make respectful expressions in customer service: お客様 (customer).
お客様の満足を第一に考えます。
I prioritize customer satisfaction.
客
kyaku
[kyah-koo]
customer; guest
The base word inside お客様. Using お客様 is more polite than 客 alone.
客の課題を把握します。
I grasp the customer’s issues.
様
sama
[sah-mah]
Mr./Ms.; honored person
Honorific that turns “customer” into a respectful term: お客様. Very common in interviews for service roles.
お客様の様々な要望に対応します。
I respond to various customer requests.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager