Definition

1. Noun:
   • Client: A person who uses the professional services or advice of a lawyer, counselor, or similar professional. This is the primary and most common meaning.
   • Patron (archaic): A person who is a customer of a business or a recipient of services, though this usage is now less common and considered somewhat old-fashioned.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Luật sư đang gặp thân chủ của mình. (The lawyer is meeting with his client.)
  • Văn phòng tư vấn có nhiều thân chủ mới. (The consulting firm has many new clients.)
  • Thân chủ đó cần được bảo vệ quyền lợi. (That client needs their rights protected.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is most formally and frequently used within legal contexts but can extend to other professional advisory services.
• It implies a formal, ongoing professional relationship rather than a one-time transaction.

Variants and Related Words

• Khách hàng (n): A more general and modern term for "customer" or "client," used broadly in commerce and services, not limited to professional counsel.

Synonyms

• Client: A person or organization using the services of a professional.
• Patron: A customer of a shop, restaurant, etc., or a supporter (archaic sense).

Notes on Usage

• While "thân chủ" is still understood, in contemporary, non-legal Vietnamese, "khách hàng" is more commonly used for "client" in business, and "luật sư" (lawyer) is often specified when referring to a legal client.
• The word can carry a formal tone. Its use often specifies a relationship built on trust and confidentiality, particularly in legal matters.