游客
yóukè
The English word "tourist" can be translated into Chinese using several terms, most commonly 游客 (yóukè). Wiktionary also lists 旅游者 (lǚyóuzhě) and 游人 (yóurén).
Meaning: someone who travels for pleasure (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 游客 | yóukè |
| 旅游者 | lǚyóuzhě |
| 游人 | yóurén |
| 觀光客 / 观光客 | guānguāngkè |
These terms all describe someone who travels for pleasure.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 游客 is composed of 游, meaning to wander or travel and 客, meaning guest or visitor.
Which one should you use?
游客 is the most common and neutral term for a tourist. 观光客 specifically emphasizes the act of sightseeing. 游人 is a more literary or poetic term for people traveling or strolling, often used in written descriptions of scenery. Finally, 旅游者 functions as a more formal, technical or academic term, often used in the context of the tourism industry or statistics.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
旅游者 is a formal way to express the concept of a tourist. 观光客 is a more formal term often used in official contexts like news reports or tourism brochures.
How do you pronounce it?
yóukè
Did you know?
- In modern internet slang, Chinese netizens sometimes use the term 游客 to describe people who only watch a community or forum without participating in the discussion.
- The word 游 in 游客 is the same character used in 游泳 for 'swimming', as both involve the idea of moving fluidly through a medium.
- The term 观光 (sightseeing) is composed of 观 meaning 'to observe' and 光 meaning 'light' or 'scenery', literally suggesting one is looking at the bright or beautiful parts of the world.
Examples in context
- “你看起来像游客。”“可我就是游客！”"You look like a tourist." "But I am a tourist!"This sentence is useful for seeing how to respond when someone identifies you as a 游客.Tatoeba #5670754 by verdastelo9604, translation #3399618 by Hybrid
- 我是游客。I am a tourist.This sentence is useful for practicing the simple statement of being a 游客.Tatoeba #4970147 by wzhd, translation #514761 by CC
- 我喜欢结交不同国家的旅游者。I enjoy meeting travelers from different countries.
- 这个景点吸引了很多游人。This attraction attracts many tourists.
- 这个城市一年四季都有很多观光客来参观。This city attracts many tourists all year round.
- 你能告诉我一些观光客常去的地方吗？Can you tell me some places that tourists usually visit?
- 这里的游客很多。Zhèlǐ de yóukè hěnduō.There are many tourists here.
Example conversation
Wei and Zihan are walking through a busy scenic area.
- 伟 Wei你看，这里的游客真多。Nǐ kàn, zhèlǐ de yóukè zhēn duō.Look, there are so many tourists here.
- 梓涵 Zihan是啊，大家都来拍照。Shì a, dàjiā dōu lái pāizhào.Yeah, everyone is here taking photos.
- 伟 Wei我们也是游客。Wǒmen yěshì yóukè.We are tourists too.
- 梓涵 Zihan那就拍张照片吧。Nà jiù pā zhāng zhàopiàn ba.Then let's take a photo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tourist” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
