Inklingo

How to Say "customer" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cliente

klee-EN-tehkliˈente

nounA1general
Use 'cliente' when referring to someone receiving services or purchasing goods in a general business setting, like a shop, restaurant, or bank.
A colorful illustration of a smiling customer receiving a brown shopping bag from a cashier across a wooden counter.

Examples

El cliente siempre tiene la razón.

The customer is always right.

Soy cliente habitual de esta cafetería.

I am a regular customer of this coffee shop.

La abogada está esperando a su próximo cliente.

The lawyer is waiting for her next client.

Gender: 'cliente' and 'clienta'

The word 'cliente' refers to a male customer or is used when the gender isn't known. For a female customer, you must use the word 'clienta'.

Mixing up 'Cliente' and 'Huésped'

Mistake: “El hotel tiene muchos clientes nuevos.”

Correction: It's more natural to say, 'El hotel tiene muchos huéspedes nuevos.' Use 'huésped' for a hotel guest and 'cliente' for almost everyone else who buys something.

comprador

kom-prah-DORkompɾaˈðoɾ

nounA2general
Use 'comprador' specifically when emphasizing the act of buying or the person who is making a purchase, especially in contexts like real estate or formal transactions.
A person handing paper money to a shopkeeper in exchange for a basket of fresh bread.

Examples

El comprador firmó el contrato ayer.

The buyer signed the contract yesterday.

Buscamos un comprador para nuestro coche viejo.

We are looking for a buyer for our old car.

El mercado está lleno de compradores hoy.

The market is full of buyers today.

Making it female

If the person buying is a woman, the word changes to 'compradora'.

Buyer vs. Seller

Mistake: “Using 'vendedor' when you mean 'comprador'.”

Correction: Think of 'compra' (buy) for 'comprador' and 'vende' (sell) for 'vendedor'.

consumidor

kohn-soo-mee-DOHRkonsumiˈðoɾ

nounA2general
Use 'consumidor' when referring to someone who uses or consumes a product or service, often in discussions about market trends, rights, or consumption habits.
A person holding a grocery bag and walking away from a market stall.

Examples

El consumidor siempre busca el mejor precio.

The consumer always looks for the best price.

Esta ley protege los derechos del consumidor.

This law protects consumer rights.

Soy un consumidor habitual de productos orgánicos.

I am a regular consumer of organic products.

People who do things

In Spanish, words that end in '-dor' usually describe a person who does a specific action. Here, it comes from 'consumir' (to consume).

Making it feminine

While this specific entry is for the masculine version, you can describe a female consumer by changing the ending to 'consumidora'.

Consumer vs. Shopaholic

Mistake: “Using 'consumidor' to mean someone obsessed with shopping.”

Correction: Use 'consumista' for someone who buys things excessively or is materialistic; 'consumidor' is just a neutral term for anyone who buys things.

Cliente vs. Comprador vs. Consumidor

The most common mistake is using 'comprador' or 'consumidor' when 'cliente' is sufficient. Remember that 'cliente' is the broadest term; use 'comprador' only when the act of buying is central, and 'consumidor' when focusing on usage or consumption.

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