The word 政客 is formed by combining two characters: 政 (zhèng), meaning "government" or "political affairs", and 客 (kè), which literally means "guest" or "traveler" but here is used metaphorically to denote a person who engages in an activity, often with a sense of being a practitioner, sometimes with a hint of transience or lack of deep commitment. Together, they create a concept of a "political operative", a person whose primary identity and livelihood are tied to political maneuvering. The term often carries a subtly derogatory nuance, suggesting a focus on partisan strategy and personal gain rather than principled statesmanship, framing the individual as a professional player in the political sphere rather than a devoted public servant.