旅客

旅客 refers to a person who is traveling, typically by public transportation such as trains, buses, or airplanes. It emphasizes the status of someone in motion, distinct from a tourist or a visitor who may stay longer in a place.

The character 旅 (lǚ) means 'travel' or 'journey,' and 客 (kè) means 'guest' or 'customer.' Together, they form a term that literally translates to 'traveling guest,' highlighting the temporary nature of their presence in a location.

旅客 is commonly used in formal contexts, such as in transportation services or official documents. It is also used in everyday speech when referring to people on a train or plane. Related terms include 旅行者 (lǚxíngzhě), meaning 'traveler,' and 游客 (yóukè), meaning 'tourist.'