also: しょっきゃく
noun
freeloader; hanger-on; parasite
Derogatory term for someone who lives off another's hospitality without contributing; similar to 居候 (いそうろう).
See also: 居候
彼は友人の家に食客として居座っている。
He's been staying at his friend's place as a freeloader.
あの男はただの食客で、何
noun
house guest (original meaning)
Original, now largely historical meaning: a guest who is provided with meals and lodging, often in a patron–client relationship. Rare in modern usage.
戦国時代、多くの食客が大名の屋敷に集まった。
During the Warring States period, many house guests gathered at the daimyo's residence.
That guy is just a hanger-on; he's completely useless.
居候 is a more common and colloquial term for a freeloader or long-term guest who doesn't pay rent. 食客 is more literary and can carry a historical nuance.
From Chinese 食客 (shíkè), literally 'eating guest'. The derogatory sense developed from the idea of a person who lives off another's hospitality without contributing.