観光客
kankōkyaku[kã̠ŋko̞ːkʲa̠kɯ̟]
The Japanese word for tourist is 観光客 (kankōkyaku). Wiktionary also lists ツーリスト (tsūrisuto).
Meaning: someone who travels for pleasure (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 観光客 | kankōkyaku | [kã̠ŋko̞ːkʲa̠kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| ツーリスト | tsūrisuto | [t͡sɨːɾʲisɨ̥to̞] (narrow) |
The term refers to someone who travels for pleasure. In everyday Japanese speech, 観光客 is the most natural and common way to refer to a tourist.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 観光客 is composed of 観光 (sightseeing/tourism) and 客 (guest/visitor).
Which one should you use?
観光客 is the standard, more formal term used in news, official documents and general conversation. In contrast, ツーリスト is a loanword from English and is often used in specific contexts such as travel agency branding or marketing.
How do you pronounce it?
kankōkyaku
Did you know?
- The word 観光 meaning 'sightseeing' contains the character for 'light' and 'official'. It originally referred to an official mission sent by the emperor to observe foreign lands.
- While 観光客 refers to a person, the word for the activity of sightseeing, 観光, can also be used to describe an act of observing something, such as 'observing the state of affairs'.
- If you use the term 観光客 in a very formal setting, it can sound slightly clinical, whereas a person might prefer to be called a 旅行者 (traveler) to sound more adventurous.
Examples in context
- ほとんどの観光客がカメラを持参している。Almost every tourist carries a camera with him.This sentence shows a common characteristic of tourists using 観光客.Tatoeba #196152 by bunbuku, translation #33328 by CK
- 放浪者は、金持ちならば観光客と称せられる。The vagabond, when rich, is called a tourist.This sentence illustrates how a wealthy vagabond might be described as a 観光客.Tatoeba #82702 by KK_kaku_, translation #321014 by Dejo
- 私も観光客です。I'm a tourist, too.This sentence is a simple way to say 'I'm a tourist, too' using 観光客.Tatoeba #1579006 by Bah_Dure, translation #1578656 by CK
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are walking through a crowded city street.
- 結衣 Yuiここには観光客がたくさんいますね。Koko ni wa kankōkyaku ga takusan imasu ne.There are a lot of tourists here, aren't there?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。みんな地図を見てるよ。Hontō da. Minna chizu o miteru yo.You're right. Everyone is looking at maps.
- 結衣 Yuiあの観光客に道を教えましょうか。Ano kankōkyaku ni michi o oshiemashō ka.Shall we give those tourists directions?
- 大翔 Hirotoいい考えだね。行ってみよう。Ii kangae da ne. Itte miyō.That's a good idea. Let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tourist” translations and entries 観光客, ツーリスト, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
