The idea
Use Kunde for a customer buying goods or services. Use Gast for a guest or visitor, including hospitality customers. Read the complete sentence before choosing: the object, situation, time reference and relationship between speakers can determine the better expression. Where the meanings overlap, both can be possible with a different emphasis. The reference table states the senses taught here; other dictionary senses may require a different translation.
| Expression | Meaning in comparison |
|---|---|
| Kunde | Ein Kunde kauft Waren oder Dienstleistungen. |
| Gast | Ein Gast wird empfangen oder bewirtet. |
Examples
- Die Kundin fragt nach einer anderen Größe.The customer asks for a different size.
- Der Gast bittet im Restaurant um die Rechnung.The guest asks for the bill at the restaurant.
- Unser Kunde hat den Entwurf freigegeben.Our client approved the draft.
- Für unsere Gäste stehen frische Handtücher bereit.Fresh towels are ready for our guests.
- Ein zufriedener Kunde empfiehlt die Werkstatt weiter.A satisfied customer recommends the garage to others.
- Heute Abend erwarten wir vier zusätzliche Gäste.This evening we are expecting four additional guests.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Restaurant guests also buy services, but Gast is the conventional hospitality role.
Try it yourself
What does “Kunde” mean in the first example sentence? Explain how it differs from the meaning of “Gast”.
Show answer or example answer
Ein Kunde kauft Waren oder Dienstleistungen. Ein Gast wird empfangen oder bewirtet.
Kunde matches a customer buying goods or services; the German definition gives the intended sense.
Explain the choice of word in this sentence. What meaning would the other expression have? Der Gast bittet im Restaurant um die Rechnung.
Show answer or example answer
Gast: Ein Gast wird empfangen oder bewirtet.
Der Gast bittet im Restaurant um die Rechnung. uses Gast for a guest or visitor, including hospitality customers. The answer depends on this context, not only on the spelling of the word.
Write a separate sentence for each expression. Use “Kunde” and “Gast” in different situations.
Show answer or example answer
Mögliche Lösungen: Unser Kunde hat den Entwurf freigegeben. Für unsere Gäste stehen frische Handtücher bereit.
The model pair keeps the meanings separate: Kunde expresses a customer buying goods or services, whereas Gast expresses a guest or visitor, including hospitality customers. Other original sentences are possible if their context supports the chosen sense.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
What does “Kunde” mean in the first example sentence? Explain how it differs from the meaning of “Gast”.
Ein Kunde kauft Waren oder Dienstleistungen. Ein Gast wird empfangen oder bewirtet.
Explain the choice of word in this sentence. What meaning would the other expression have? Der Gast bittet im Restaurant um die Rechnung.
Gast: Ein Gast wird empfangen oder bewirtet.
Write a separate sentence for each expression. Use “Kunde” and “Gast” in different situations.
Mögliche Lösungen: Unser Kunde hat den Entwurf freigegeben. Für unsere Gäste stehen frische Handtücher bereit.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account and carry on with the story in the game.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Describe two real situations from your day, using Kunde in one and Gast in the other. Underline the detail that makes the chosen meaning appropriate. If both expressions could fit, explain the change in emphasis rather than marking the alternative automatically wrong.