zyu2 gu3主顧主顾
Jyutpingzyu2 gu3
Yalejyú gu
Definition
A client, customer, or patron.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
Carries a slightly old fashioned or traditional business flavor compared to the more modern and professional term 客人. It specifically implies a long term, stable relationship between a merchant and a buyer, often suggesting a sense of loyalty or familiarity. You will hear it most frequently from shopkeepers or small business owners describing their regular base.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He has been in business for many years and has built up many regular clients.
Most of the clients of this shop are local neighbors.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to refer to a client in a corporate or high level professional setting, as it sounds too informal and dated for that context. Stick to 客人 or 客戶 for business meetings or formal correspondence.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
