宾客 (bīnkè) is a formal, literary noun meaning 'guests' — especially those invited to important social or ceremonial occasions such as weddings, banquets, conferences, or official receptions. Though both characters individually mean 'guest' (宾 and 客 are near-synonyms), their combination intensifies the sense of dignity, respect, and formality; it implies guests who are honored, hosted, and treated with courtesy. Unlike the neutral term 客人 (kèrén), 宾客 carries connotations of status, hospitality, and ritual significance.

This word is commonly used in written Chinese and formal spoken contexts — for example, in wedding invitations, hotel announcements, or news reports about state visits. It rarely appears in casual daily conversation (where people say 朋友 or 来访者 instead). The compound reflects classical Chinese stylistic preference for two-character parallel terms, and its tone pattern (first tone + fourth tone) lends rhythmic elegance to formal speech and writing.