clientes
“clientes” means “customers” in Spanish (people buying goods in a store).
customers, clients
Also: patrons
📝 In Action
Todos los clientes de la tienda salieron contentos con sus compras.
A1All the customers of the store left happy with their purchases.
Mi abogada tiene muchos clientes importantes que atender.
A2My lawyer has many important clients to attend to.
Necesitamos atraer más clientes nuevos si queremos crecer este año.
B1We need to attract more new customers if we want to grow this year.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: clientes
Question 1 of 2
Which phrase correctly refers to the total group of people a company serves?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word *cliens*, which meant 'one who leans on another' or a 'dependent.' This reflects the historical relationship where clients relied on powerful patrons for protection or services, much like modern clients rely on businesses or professionals.
First recorded: 13th century (in Romance languages)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between 'cliente' and 'comprador'?
Yes, 'clientes' are people who regularly use a service or buy from a specific place, implying a relationship. 'Compradores' simply means 'buyers' or 'purchasers'—they only bought something once and don't necessarily have loyalty.
How do I specify that the customers are all female?
You would use the feminine plural form: 'las clientas'. However, many speakers still use the general term 'los clientes' even for all-female groups, though 'las clientas' is perfectly correct.