1. customer, client, guest [noun] [de klant, de klanten] [‘klant‘]

"Klant" is used to indicate a person/company that purchases a good
or service (of any kind) from a supplier (of any kind). In Dutch,
there’s also the word "cliënt", which is commonly used for customers of
a law firm, or other more formal business relations. When referring to guests in a restaurant or bar, "klant" is
also used, though "gast" would be appropriate too.

Examples:
– "Frank, kun jij deze klant helpen?"
("Frank, can you help this customer?")

– "Vaste klanten krijgen een korting van 10%."
("Regular customers / Regulars receive a 10% discount.")

– "Beste klant, vandaag is er erwtensoep en tomatensoep."
("Dear guest, today we have pea soup and tomato soup.")

– "Omdat er te weinig klanten waren, heeft de winkel zijn deuren moeten sluiten."
("The shop had to close because there were not enough customers." Lit. "…too little customers…, …to close its doors.")

Expression:
– "De klant is koning": The customer is always right. Lit.: The customer is king.

Related words:
– "Winkel": shop, store.
– "Klantenservice": customer service, service department.
– "Klantvriendelijk": customer-friendly.
– "Cliënt": client.
– "Kijken, kijken, niet kopen": phrase sometimes used abroad to describe Dutch shoppers ("look, look, not buy").

2. customer, fellow, bloke [noun] [de klant, de klanten] [‘klant‘]

Like the English "customer", "klant" can be used too to refer to a male person. It is sometimes used in a negative context.

Examples:
– "Ken je die gast?" – "Nee, ik vind hem een vreemde klant."
("Do you know this guy?" – "No, I think he’s an odd customer.")

Related words:
– "Gast": guy, bloke dude.
– "Gozer": guy, bloke, dude.
– "Kerel": fellow, guy, man, chap.