LEXICO-SEMANTIC DIFFERENTIATION OF THE LEXEMES "GUEST" AND "CLIENT" IN CONTEMPORARY KOREAN LINGUOCULTURE

This article examines the lexico-semantic differentiation of the lexemes 손님 [sonnim] “honored guest” and 고객님 [gogaengnim] “honored client” in contemporary Korean linguoculture. The study reveals that differences in cultural contexts and social situations determine the choice of one lexeme over the other in communicative acts. A comparative analysis is conducted on their domains of usage, stylistic nuances, and pragmatic connotations. Particular attention is given to the influence of traditional Korean values—such as hospitality, respect for guests, and etiquette—reflected in proverbs and idiomatic expressions, as well as to modern commercial and service communication standards. The research materials include examples from both spoken and written language, as well as data from online communication. The study concludes that the use of these lexemes reflects deeply rooted Korean cultural perceptions of social roles and the pragmatics of interpersonal communication.