also: じょうかく
noun
Refers to the most important or honored guest at an event, ceremony, or gathering.
結婚式では、新郎新婦の両親が上客として扱われる。
At a wedding, the parents of the bride and groom are treated as guests of honor.
noun
Used in business contexts for a valued, regular, or high-spending customer.
あの料亭は上客を大切にする。
That traditional restaurant values its important customers.
Compound of 上 (jou, 'upper, superior') and 客 (kyaku/kaku, 'guest, customer'). The reading じょうきゃく is the standard on'yomi combination; じょうかく is a less common variant.