TongTong
Sign in

嫖客 (piáo kè) — patron of brothels, client of a prostitute

Definition

A term for a man who pays for sex — the 'client' side of prostitution, often used in news or legal contexts. Carries a negative, judgmental tone.

noun
patron of brothelsclient of a prostitute
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 嫖客。
    Jǐng chá zuó tiān zhuā dào jǐ gè piáo kè.
    The police caught several clients yesterday.
  • 嫖客。
    Tā bèi rén wù rèn wéi shì yí gè piáo kè.
    He was mistaken for a client by others.
  • 嫖客。
    Zhè ge àn zi shè jí duō míng piáo kè.
    This case involves multiple clients.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

嫖piáopatronize prostitutes
客kèclient

A 客 who 嫖, i.e. a paying customer seeking sexual services.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
女女nǚ
Sound part声符shēngfú
票
票piào嫖piáo
Same sound today

嫖 pairs 女, a woman, with 票, which shows the sound.

Open 嫖 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
各
各gè客kè
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 客, 宀 is a roof and 各 gives the sound; the character meant a guest.

Open 客 →
Appears in
Crime & PolicePeople (General)

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.