noun HSK 4
tenant · lodger · renter
Meaning
房客 refers to a person who rents and lives in someone else's property, whether it's a room, apartment, or house. It combines 房 (room/house) and 客 (guest), literally meaning 'house guest,' but specifically denotes someone who pays rent to live there.
Usage
This is the standard neutral term for tenants or renters in Mandarin. It's commonly used in rental contexts, landlord-tenant discussions, and real estate matters. The term emphasizes the temporary nature of residence and the guest-host relationship between tenant and landlord.
Examples
- 01我们正在寻找一个可靠的房客。.We are looking for a reliable tenant.
- 02这位房客已经在这里住了五年了。.This tenant has been living here for five years.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个房客
- 位三位房客
Common collocations
- 招房客to look for tenants
- 房客和房东tenant and landlord
- 长期房客long-term tenant
Antonyms
Origin
The term combines 房 (dwelling) with 客 (guest), reflecting the traditional Chinese concept of a tenant as a guest in the property owner's space, though one who pays for the privilege of staying.