客引(きゃくひ)き

きゃくひき
noun
touting; soliciting customers; tout
business
1. touting; soliciting customers on the street
The act of approaching people on the street to invite them into a shop, restaurant, or establishment.
客引(きゃくひ)きは禁止(きんし)されている。
Touting is prohibited.
駅前(えきまえ)で居酒屋(いざかや)の客引(きゃくひ)きをしている人(ひと)がいた。
There was someone touting for an izakaya in front of the station.
しつこい客引(きゃくひ)きに困(こま)った経験(けいけん)がある。
I have had the experience of being bothered by persistent touting.
2. tout; solicitor; barker
A person who stands outside a business and tries to attract customers by calling out to passersby. Common in entertainment districts.
客引(きゃくひ)きに声(こえ)をかけられた。
I was approached by a tout.
繁華街(はんかがい)には客引(きゃくひ)きが多(おお)い。
There are many touts in the entertainment district.
客引(きゃくひ)きの誘(さそ)いには乗(の)らないほうがいいと地元(じもと)の人(ひと)に言(い)われた。
A local told me it's better not to follow the touts' invitations.

Usage

客引(きゃくひ)き combines 客(きゃく) (customer) and 引(ひ)き (pulling). It can refer to either the act of soliciting or the person doing it. 客引(きゃくひ)きをする means to tout or solicit. In many Japanese cities, aggressive touting is regulated or banned by local ordinances.

Common collocations

Similar words

呼(よ)び込(こ)み refers to barkers calling out to attract customers, often at markets or street stalls. 客引(きゃくひ)き has a more negative connotation and is associated with nightlife districts.

Related Words

Synonym: 呼(よ)び込(こ)み (barking (markets, stalls))
general
Added 2026.3.9 19:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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