Cliente

Cliente is a noun used in Spanish and Portuguese to denote a person or organization that purchases goods or services from a business or professional. In everyday usage, it can refer to a customer or a client, depending on the context. The term often carries a sense of an ongoing relationship or engagement with a service provider, as opposed to a single, transactional purchase.

Etymology and usage notes: The word derives from Latin cliens, through Romance-language evolution. In Spanish, the feminine form clienta is used in many contexts, while Portuguese typically uses cliente for both genders. In both languages, cliente can refer to someone who receives professional advice or representation, such as a lawyer, consultant, or architect, as well as a general customer of a shop or service.

Business and professional contexts: The distinction between cliente and customer is nuanced. Cliente often implies a continuing relationship or service arrangement (for example, ongoing legal counsel or financial advisory services), whereas customer (cliente in some contexts) can be used for more transactional interactions. The term is also used in consumer protection and marketing to describe individuals who interact with a business for its offerings.

Computing and technology: In information technology, a cliente (client) is a program, system, or device that accesses services provided by a server. This client–server model underpins many applications, including web browsers, email clients, and database clients. The client initiates requests and processes responses, while the server provides the requested resources or services.