Korean Apartment and Housing Words for New Residents

Use this lesson first

Moving into a Korean apartment is much easier when you can name the rooms, ask about fees, and report a small problem before it grows. This Daily Korean lesson teaches the basic words a new resident needs from the entrance, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and laundry space to the management office, delivery package, heating, utilities, and repair request.

The goal is not to memorize a dictionary. The goal is to recognize the Korean words that appear in real housing conversations and then use short, polite sentences. If you can say 보증금이 얼마예요?, 관리비에 뭐가 포함돼요?, 온수가 안 나와요, and 수리 요청하고 싶어요, you can handle many first-month housing situations with less stress.

Where these words appear

In Korea, apartment life often uses a few words again and again. You may hear them from a landlord, real estate agent, management office worker, security guard, delivery driver, neighbor, or repair worker. The same word can appear in a contract, a text message, an elevator notice, or a phone call.

For a beginner, the most useful strategy is to group words by situation. First learn the place words such as 현관, 거실, 방, 주방, 화장실, and 베란다. Then learn money words such as 월세, 보증금, 관리비, and 공과금. Finally learn problem words such as 고장, 누수, 소음, 난방, 온수, and 수리.

Core apartment and housing vocabulary

Sentence patterns for housing questions

The safest beginner sentence pattern is noun plus 이/가 plus adjective or problem word. For example, 온수가 안 나와요 means hot water is not coming out. 엘리베이터가 고장 났어요 means the elevator is broken. 소음이 심해요 means the noise is serious. These sentences are short, clear, and polite enough for everyday housing communication.

When you need information, use 얼마예요, 어디예요, 언제예요, and 뭐가 포함돼요. These question endings are useful because they let you ask without sounding too direct. 보증금이 얼마예요 asks about the deposit. 관리비에 뭐가 포함돼요 asks what is included in the management fee. 택배가 어디에 있어요 asks where your package is.

Twenty phrases to use with landlords and management offices

Mini dialogues

At a real estate office

At the management office

Repair request

Common mistakes

Do not translate every word from your language too directly. In housing situations, Korean often prefers a short problem report instead of a long explanation. Say 온수가 안 나와요 first, then add when it started if needed. Say 창문이 잘 안 열려요 first, then send a photo if the other person asks.

Also remember that 집 can mean home, house, or place where someone lives. 아파트 is a building or apartment complex. 원룸 is a studio-style room. 오피스텔 is a common Korean housing type that may be used as a small office or residence. These words are not always identical to housing categories in your home country.

Speaking practice

Read these lines aloud. The romanization is included so you can practice before you can read Hangul quickly.

• 이 집은 몇 층이에요? – What floor is this home on? – say it slowly: i jibeun myeot cheungiyeyo
• 방이 몇 개예요? – How many rooms are there? – say it slowly: bangi myeot gaeyeyo
• 관리비에 뭐가 포함돼요? – What is included in the management fee? – say it slowly: gwallibie mwoga poham dwaeyo
• 보증금이 얼마예요? – How much is the deposit? – say it slowly: bojeunggeumi eolmayeyo
• 월세는 언제 내요? – When do I pay the monthly rent? – say it slowly: wolse neun eonje naeyo
• 계약서를 확인해 주세요. – Please check the contract. – say it slowly: gyeyakseoreul hwaginhae juseyo
• 도어락 비밀번호를 몰라요. – I do not know the door-lock password. – say it slowly: doeorak bimilbeonhoreul mollayo
• 인터폰이 안 돼요. – The intercom is not working. – say it slowly: inteoponi an dwaeyo
• 온수가 안 나와요. – Hot water is not coming out. – say it slowly: onsuga an nawayo
• 난방이 안 돼요. – The heating is not working. – say it slowly: nanbangi an dwaeyo
• 누수가 있어요. – There is a water leak. – say it slowly: nusuga isseoyo
• 수리 요청하고 싶어요. – I would like to request a repair. – say it slowly: suri yocheonghago sipeoyo
• 택배가 어디에 있어요? – Where is my delivery package? – say it slowly: taekbaega eodie isseoyo
• 경비실에 맡겨 주세요. – Please leave it at the security office. – say it slowly: gyeongbisire matgyeo juseyo
• 분리수거는 어디에서 해요? – Where do I separate recycling? – say it slowly: bullisugeoneun eodieseo haeyo
• 소음이 심해요. – The noise is serious. – say it slowly: soeumi simhaeyo
• 다시 설명해 주세요. – Please explain it again. – say it slowly: dasi seolmyeonghae juseyo
• 사진을 보내도 돼요? – Can I send a photo? – say it slowly: sajineul bonaedo dwaeyo
• 언제 방문 가능해요? – When can you visit? – say it slowly: eonje bangmun ganeunghaeyo
• 감사합니다. 확인해 볼게요. – Thank you. I will check it. – say it slowly: gamsahamnida hwaginhae bolgeyo
• 이 집은 몇 층이에요? – What floor is this home on? – say it slowly: i jibeun myeot cheungiyeyo
• 방이 몇 개예요? – How many rooms are there? – say it slowly: bangi myeot gaeyeyo
• 관리비에 뭐가 포함돼요? – What is included in the management fee? – say it slowly: gwallibie mwoga poham dwaeyo
• 보증금이 얼마예요? – How much is the deposit? – say it slowly: bojeunggeumi eolmayeyo
• 월세는 언제 내요? – When do I pay the monthly rent? – say it slowly: wolse neun eonje naeyo
• 계약서를 확인해 주세요. – Please check the contract. – say it slowly: gyeyakseoreul hwaginhae juseyo
• 도어락 비밀번호를 몰라요. – I do not know the door-lock password. – say it slowly: doeorak bimilbeonhoreul mollayo
• 인터폰이 안 돼요. – The intercom is not working. – say it slowly: inteoponi an dwaeyo
• 온수가 안 나와요. – Hot water is not coming out. – say it slowly: onsuga an nawayo
• 난방이 안 돼요. – The heating is not working. – say it slowly: nanbangi an dwaeyo
• 누수가 있어요. – There is a water leak. – say it slowly: nusuga isseoyo
• 수리 요청하고 싶어요. – I would like to request a repair. – say it slowly: suri yocheonghago sipeoyo
• 택배가 어디에 있어요? – Where is my delivery package? – say it slowly: taekbaega eodie isseoyo
• 경비실에 맡겨 주세요. – Please leave it at the security office. – say it slowly: gyeongbisire matgyeo juseyo
• 분리수거는 어디에서 해요? – Where do I separate recycling? – say it slowly: bullisugeoneun eodieseo haeyo
• 소음이 심해요. – The noise is serious. – say it slowly: soeumi simhaeyo
• 다시 설명해 주세요. – Please explain it again. – say it slowly: dasi seolmyeonghae juseyo
• 사진을 보내도 돼요? – Can I send a photo? – say it slowly: sajineul bonaedo dwaeyo
• 언제 방문 가능해요? – When can you visit? – say it slowly: eonje bangmun ganeunghaeyo
• 감사합니다. 확인해 볼게요. – Thank you. I will check it. – say it slowly: gamsahamnida hwaginhae bolgeyo
• 이 집은 몇 층이에요? – What floor is this home on? – say it slowly: i jibeun myeot cheungiyeyo
• 방이 몇 개예요? – How many rooms are there? – say it slowly: bangi myeot gaeyeyo
• 관리비에 뭐가 포함돼요? – What is included in the management fee? – say it slowly: gwallibie mwoga poham dwaeyo
• 보증금이 얼마예요? – How much is the deposit? – say it slowly: bojeunggeumi eolmayeyo
• 월세는 언제 내요? – When do I pay the monthly rent? – say it slowly: wolse neun eonje naeyo
• 계약서를 확인해 주세요. – Please check the contract. – say it slowly: gyeyakseoreul hwaginhae juseyo
• 도어락 비밀번호를 몰라요. – I do not know the door-lock password. – say it slowly: doeorak bimilbeonhoreul mollayo
• 인터폰이 안 돼요. – The intercom is not working. – say it slowly: inteoponi an dwaeyo
• 온수가 안 나와요. – Hot water is not coming out. – say it slowly: onsuga an nawayo
• 난방이 안 돼요. – The heating is not working. – say it slowly: nanbangi an dwaeyo

Housing checklist drill

Use this checklist when you view a room, sign a contract, receive a package, or report a small problem. Read the Korean first, then say the meaning in your language.

• 아파트 – apateu – apartment – example: 아파트에 살아요. | pronunciation: apateu apateu apateu apateu
• 집 – jip – home / house – example: 집이 가까워요. | pronunciation: jip jip jip jip
• 원룸 – wollum – studio room – example: 원룸을 구하고 있어요. | pronunciation: wollum wollum wollum wollum
• 오피스텔 – opiseutel – officetel – example: 오피스텔 관리비가 얼마예요? | pronunciation: opiseutel opiseutel opiseutel opiseutel
• 빌라 – billa – villa / low-rise housing – example: 빌라에 방이 있어요. | pronunciation: billa billa billa billa
• 현관 – hyeon-gwan – entryway – example: 현관에 신발장이 있어요. | pronunciation: hyeon-gwan hyeon-gwan hyeon-gwan hyeon-gwan
• 신발장 – sinbaljang – shoe cabinet – example: 신발장에 신발을 넣어요. | pronunciation: sinbaljang sinbaljang sinbaljang sinbaljang
• 거실 – geosil – living room – example: 거실이 넓어요. | pronunciation: geosil geosil geosil geosil
• 방 – bang – room – example: 방이 몇 개예요? | pronunciation: bang bang bang bang
• 안방 – anbang – main bedroom – example: 안방이 밝아요. | pronunciation: anbang anbang anbang anbang
• 작은방 – jageunbang – small room – example: 작은방은 조용해요. | pronunciation: jageunbang jageunbang jageunbang jageunbang
• 주방 – jubang – kitchen – example: 주방에서 요리해요. | pronunciation: jubang jubang jubang jubang
• 화장실 – hwajangsil – bathroom / toilet – example: 화장실이 어디예요? | pronunciation: hwajangsil hwajangsil hwajangsil hwajangsil
• 욕실 – yoksil – bathroom – example: 욕실 바닥이 미끄러워요. | pronunciation: yoksil yoksil yoksil yoksil
• 베란다 – beranda – balcony / veranda – example: 베란다에 세탁기가 있어요. | pronunciation: beranda beranda beranda beranda
• 세탁실 – setaksil – laundry room – example: 세탁실을 사용해도 돼요? | pronunciation: setaksil setaksil setaksil setaksil
• 창문 – changmun – window – example: 창문이 잘 안 열려요. | pronunciation: changmun changmun changmun changmun
• 문 – mun – door – example: 문이 잠겼어요. | pronunciation: mun mun mun mun
• 도어락 – doeorak – door lock – example: 도어락 비밀번호를 몰라요. | pronunciation: doeorak doeorak doeorak doeorak
• 인터폰 – inteopon – intercom – example: 인터폰이 안 돼요. | pronunciation: inteopon inteopon inteopon inteopon
• 엘리베이터 – ellibeiteo – elevator – example: 엘리베이터가 고장 났어요. | pronunciation: ellibeiteo ellibeiteo ellibeiteo ellibeiteo
• 층 – cheung – floor – example: 몇 층이에요? | pronunciation: cheung cheung cheung cheung
• 호수 – hosu – unit number – example: 호수가 어떻게 돼요? | pronunciation: hosu hosu hosu hosu
• 관리사무소 – gwalli samuso – management office – example: 관리사무소에 물어볼게요. | pronunciation: gwalli samuso gwalli samuso gwalli samuso gwalli samuso
• 경비실 – gyeongbisil – security office – example: 경비실에 택배가 있어요. | pronunciation: gyeongbisil gyeongbisil gyeongbisil gyeongbisil
• 택배 – taekbae – delivery package – example: 택배가 도착했어요. | pronunciation: taekbae taekbae taekbae taekbae
• 우편함 – upyeonham – mailbox – example: 우편함을 확인해 주세요. | pronunciation: upyeonham upyeonham upyeonham upyeonham
• 집주인 – jipjuin – landlord – example: 집주인에게 연락했어요. | pronunciation: jipjuin jipjuin jipjuin jipjuin
• 부동산 – budongsan – real estate office – example: 부동산에서 집을 봤어요. | pronunciation: budongsan budongsan budongsan budongsan
• 계약서 – gyeyakseo – contract – example: 계약서를 확인해 주세요. | pronunciation: gyeyakseo gyeyakseo gyeyakseo gyeyakseo
• 월세 – wolse – monthly rent – example: 월세는 언제 내요? | pronunciation: wolse wolse wolse wolse
• 전세 – jeonse – large deposit lease – example: 전세 조건이 뭐예요? | pronunciation: jeonse jeonse jeonse jeonse
• 보증금 – bojeunggeum – deposit – example: 보증금이 얼마예요? | pronunciation: bojeunggeum bojeunggeum bojeunggeum bojeunggeum
• 관리비 – gwallibi – management fee – example: 관리비에 뭐가 포함돼요? | pronunciation: gwallibi gwallibi gwallibi gwallibi
• 공과금 – gonggwageum – utility bills – example: 공과금은 따로 내요. | pronunciation: gonggwageum gonggwageum gonggwageum gonggwageum
• 전기 – jeongi – electricity – example: 전기가 안 들어와요. | pronunciation: jeongi jeongi jeongi jeongi
• 수도 – sudo – water supply – example: 수도 요금이 나왔어요. | pronunciation: sudo sudo sudo sudo
• 가스 – gaseu – gas – example: 가스 점검이 있어요. | pronunciation: gaseu gaseu gaseu gaseu
• 난방 – nanbang – heating – example: 난방이 안 돼요. | pronunciation: nanbang nanbang nanbang nanbang
• 온수 – onsu – hot water – example: 온수가 안 나와요. | pronunciation: onsu onsu onsu onsu
• 보일러 – boilleo – boiler – example: 보일러를 어떻게 켜요? | pronunciation: boilleo boilleo boilleo boilleo
• 에어컨 – eeokeon – air conditioner – example: 에어컨 리모컨이 없어요. | pronunciation: eeokeon eeokeon eeokeon eeokeon
• 고장 – gojang – breakdown – example: 문이 고장 났어요. | pronunciation: gojang gojang gojang gojang
• 수리 – suri – repair – example: 수리 요청하고 싶어요. | pronunciation: suri suri suri suri
• 누수 – nusu – water leak – example: 누수가 있어요. | pronunciation: nusu nusu nusu nusu
• 소음 – so-eum – noise – example: 소음이 심해요. | pronunciation: so-eum so-eum so-eum so-eum
• 분리수거 – bullisugeo – recycling separation – example: 분리수거는 어디에서 해요? | pronunciation: bullisugeo bullisugeo bullisugeo bullisugeo
• 주차장 – juchajang – parking lot – example: 주차장은 어디예요? | pronunciation: juchajang juchajang juchajang juchajang

• 현관, 신발장, 거실, 주방, 화장실을 직접 가리키며 말해 보세요.
• 방이 몇 개예요? 와 이 집은 몇 층이에요? 를 함께 연습하세요.
• 보증금, 월세, 관리비, 공과금의 차이를 말해 보세요.
• 관리비에 뭐가 포함돼요? 를 천천히 세 번 말하세요.
• 도어락 비밀번호를 몰라요 와 인터폰이 안 돼요 를 구분하세요.
• 온수가 안 나와요, 난방이 안 돼요, 누수가 있어요 를 문제별로 말하세요.
• 택배가 어디에 있어요? 와 경비실에 맡겨 주세요 를 연결하세요.
• 수리 요청하고 싶어요 다음에 사진을 보내도 돼요? 를 붙여 말하세요.
• 소음이 심해요 는 감정 표현보다 문제 보고로 차분히 말하세요.
• 분리수거는 어디에서 해요? 는 이사 첫 주에 꼭 필요한 질문입니다.
• 계약서를 확인해 주세요 는 서명 전 확인할 때 쓰는 안전한 표현입니다.
• 언제 방문 가능해요? 는 수리 시간 조율에 바로 쓸 수 있습니다.

Mini quiz

1. How do you ask the deposit amount?
2. Which word means management fee?
3. What do you say when hot water is not coming out?
4. Where might a package be left?
5. Which sentence requests a repair?

Answer key: 보증금이 얼마예요?; 관리비; 온수가 안 나와요.; 경비실; 수리 요청하고 싶어요.

Review and next step

Review by grouping the words into place, money, utility, problem, and request. The next Daily Korean lesson continues with phone numbers and delivery addresses, which connects naturally to apartment life because delivery, room number, and contact details are often used together.

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