Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a 'good customer' is expressed through terms that emphasize loyalty, high spending, or being easy to serve. The most common and natural term is 上客 (joukyaku), referring to a valued or high-spending customer. Other expressions highlight regular patronage or being a preferred client.
To refer to a customer who is considered valuable, often because they spend a lot of money or are important to the business.
The most direct and common term for a 'good customer' in the sense of a valued or high-spending client. Used in business contexts like restaurants, shops, and services.
あの人はうちの店の上客です。
That person is a good customer of our store.
上客を大切にしなければならない。
We must take good care of our valued customers.
Refers to a regular or valued customer, often in a business-to-business context. Implies an ongoing relationship.
この会社は長年の得意先です。
This company is a long-standing good customer.
A polite, honorific form of 得意先, used when speaking to or about a valued customer directly. Common in service industries.
お得意様、いつもありがとうございます。
Thank you, valued customer, for your continued patronage.
Slang term for a big-spending customer, often used in nightlife or entertainment districts. Can sound rough or casual.
あのホステスは太客を何人も持っている。
That hostess has several big-spending customers.
To refer to a customer who frequently patronizes a business, emphasizing loyalty rather than spending amount.
The most common term for a regular customer, used in restaurants, bars, and shops. Implies familiarity and loyalty.
彼はこの喫茶店の常連だ。
He is a regular at this coffee shop.
常連さんには特別サービスをしています。
We offer special service to our regular customers.
A slightly more formal term for a regular customer, often used in written contexts or business settings.
To describe a customer who is not demanding, is polite, or makes the service experience pleasant.
A simple, natural phrase meaning 'good customer' in the sense of being pleasant or easy to deal with. Can be used in casual conversation.
今日は良いお客さんばかりで助かった。
Today was great because all the customers were nice.
A more casual version of 良いお客さん, often used among staff when referring to a pleasant customer.
あのテーブルのお客さん、いいお客だね。
Those customers at that table are really nice, aren't they?
上客 emphasizes the customer's value (often monetary), while 常連 emphasizes their regularity and loyalty. A 常連 may not necessarily be a 上客 if they don't spend much, and a 上客 may not be a regular.
彼は常連だけど、あまりお金を使わないから上客とは言えない。
He's a regular, but he doesn't spend much, so you can't call him a good customer.
The direct translation '良い顧客' (yoi kokyaku) is not commonly used in natural Japanese. Instead, use the specific terms above depending on the nuance you want to convey.
Our shop is supported by our regular customers.