[Series 21/50] 117 Korean Words The Ultimate Korean Housing & Living Guide: Master Vocabulary for Finding and Maintaining Your Home
KOREAN HOUSING MASTER KEY
[Updated: 2026-07-02] Revised to reflect current regulations
MY KOREAN ADVENTURE : HOUSING & LIVING EDITION
Welcome to the 21st series of my "Korean Language Mastery" program.
Finding and managing a home in Korea is a unique experience. The real estate market moves incredibly fast, and the housing types range from ultra-modern high-rise apartments to charming, older independent buildings. Whether you are moving into a brand new Officetels (오피스텔) or renting a space in a classic brick building built back in 1993 in historic areas like Jongno-gu, knowing the exact terminology is your biggest asset.
Language is power when you need to verify a building's legal status at the district office, negotiate key-money (Jeonse), or urgently report a water leak to your landlord.
To help you survive and thrive in the Korean housing market, I have curated exactly 117 essential housing words, categorized by situation. Instead of long, complicated textbook sentences, I have provided 2 to 3-word ultra-short practical dialogues that Koreans actually use in real life.
Listen to native pronunciation here: [
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"Before we dive in, if you missed our previous professional guides, you can catch up here:
[Series 18/50] The Ultimate Korean Workplace Vocabulary Guide: [https://www.k-lifestylemaster.com/2026/06/series-1850-ultimate-korean-workplace.html]
[K-Beauty] My DIY Skincare Routine Secrets: [https://www.k-lifestylemaster.com/2026/06/k-beautybeauty-science-why-your.html]"
Part 1: Housing Types & Key People (주거 형태와 관련 인물)
Before you start looking, you need to know what kind of housing you want and who you are talking to.
| No. | Korean (Pronun ciation) | English Meaning | 2~3 Word Real Dialogue | English Translation & Pronunciation |
| 1 | 집 (jip) | House / Home | "집 구해요." | "I'm looking for a house." (Jip gu-hae-yo) |
| 2 | 방 (bang) | Room | "방 있어요?" | "Do you have rooms?" (Bang it-seo-yo?) |
| 3 | 원룸 (wol-lum) | Studio / One-room | "원룸 찾아요." | "Looking for a studio." (Wol-lum cha-ja-yo) |
| 4 | 투룸 (tu-rum) | Two-room house | "투룸 보여주세요." | "Show me a two-room." (Tu-rum bo-yeo-ju-se-yo) |
| 5 | 아파트 (a-pa-teu) | Apartment | "아파트 비싸요." | "Apartments are expensive." (A-pa-teu bi-ssa-yo) |
| 6 | 빌라 (bil-la) | Villa (Low-rise housing) | "빌라 살아요." | "I live in a villa." (Bil-la sa-ra-yo) |
| 7 | 오피스텔 (o-pi-seu-tel) | Officetel (Studio-style) | "오피스텔 어때요?" | "How is the officetel?" (O-pi-seu-tel eo-ttae-yo?) |
| 8 | 주택 (ju-taek) | Private House | "주택 좋아요." | "Private houses are good." (Ju-taek jo-a-yo) |
| 9 | 고시원 (go-si-won) | Gosiwon (Tiny dorm) | "고시원 좁아요." | "Gosiwon is narrow." (Go-si-won jo-ba-yo) |
| 10 | 옥탑방 (ok-tap-bang) | Rooftop Room | "옥탑방 더워요." | "Rooftop rooms are hot." (Ok-tap-bang deo-wo-yo) |
| 11 | 반지하 (ban-ji-ha) | Semi-basement | "반지하 싫어요." | "I don't like semi-basements." (Ban-ji-ha si-reo-yo) |
| 12 | 부동산 (bu-dong-san) | Real Estate Agency | "부동산 가요." | "Going to the real estate." (Bu-dong-san ga-yo) |
| 13 | 공인중개사 (gong-in- jung-gae-sa) | Realtor / Broker | "중개사님, 안녕하세요." | "Hello, realtor." (Jung-gae-sa-nim, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo) |
| 14 | 집주인 (jip-ju-in) | Landlord / Owner | "집주인 번호?" | "Landlord's number?" (Jip-ju-in beon-ho?) |
| 15 | 세입자 (se-ip-ja) | Tenant | "제가 세입자예요." | "I am the tenant." (Je-ga se-ip-ja-ye-yo) |
Part 2: Contracts, Finance & Moving (계약, 돈, 이사)
Understanding these financial terms will protect your money.
| No. | Korean (Pronun ciation) | English Meaning | 2~3 Word Real Dialogue | English Translation & Pronunciation |
| 16 | 보증금 (bo-jeung-geum) | Security Deposit | "보증금 천만 원." | "Deposit is 10 million won." (Bo-jeung-geum cheon-man-won) |
| 17 | 월세 (wol-se) | Monthly Rent | "월세 얼마예요?" | "How much is monthly rent?" (Wol-se eol-ma-ye-yo?) |
| 18 | 전세 (jeon-se) | Lump-sum Deposit | "전세 대출 돼요?" | "Is Jeonse loan possible?" (Jeon-se dae-chul dwae-yo?) |
| 19 | 반전세 (ban-jeon-se) | High deposit, low rent | "반전세 원해요." | "I want Ban-jeonse." (Ban-jeon-se won-hae-yo) |
| 20 | 관리비 (gwal-li-bi) | Maintenance Fee | "관리비 포함이에요?" | "Is maintenance included?" (Gwal-li-bi po-ham-i-e-yo?) |
| 21 | 공과금 (gong-gwa-geum) | Utility Bills | "공과금 별도예요." | "Utilities are separate." (Gong-gwa-geum byeol-do-ye-yo) |
| 22 | 계약 (gye-yak) | Contract | "계약 할게요." | "I will make the contract." (Gye-yak hal-ge-yo) |
| 23 | 계약서 (gye-yak-seo) | Contract Document | "계약서 주세요." | "Please give me the contract." (Gye-yak-seo ju-se-yo) |
| 24 | 계좌이체 (gye-jwa-i-che) | Bank Transfer | "계좌이체 할게요." | "I will transfer money." (Gye-jwa-i-che hal-ge-yo) |
| 25 | 복비 (bok-bi) | Agency Fee / Commission | "복비 얼마예요?" | "How much is the agency fee?" (Bok-bi eol-ma-ye-yo?) |
| 26 | 서명 (seo-myeong) | Signature | "여기 서명하세요." | "Please sign here." (Yeo-gi seo-myeong-ha-se-yo) |
| 27 | 기간 (gi-gan) | Period / Term | "기간 1년이요." | "The period is 1 year." (Gi-gan il-nyeon-i-yo) |
| 28 | 연장 (yeon-jang) | Extension | "계약 연장할래요." | "I want to extend." (Gye-yak yeon-jang-hal-lae-yo) |
| 29 | 만기 (man-gi) | Expiration | "다음 달 만기예요." | "It expires next month." (Da-eum dal man-gi-ye-yo) |
| 30 | 이사 (i-sa) | Moving | "내일 이사해요." | "I am moving tomorrow." (Nae-il i-sa-hae-yo) |
| 31 | 포장이사 (po-jang-i-sa) | Full-service Moving | "포장이사 비싸요." | "Full-service is expensive." (Po-jang-i-sa bi-ssa-yo) |
| 32 | 입주 (ip-ju) | Moving in | "언제 입주해요?" | "When can I move in?" (Eon-je ip-ju-hae-yo?) |
| 33 | 퇴실 (toe-sil) | Moving out | "주말에 퇴실해요." | "I move out this weekend." (Ju-ma-re toe-sil-hae-yo) |
| 34 | 위약금 (wi-yak-geum) | Penalty for breaking contract | "위약금 있어요?" | "Is there a penalty fee?" (Wi-yak-geum it-seo-yo?) |
| 35 | 대출 (dae-chul) | Bank Loan | "대출 알아봐요." | "Looking into a loan." (Dae-chul a-ra-bwa-yo) |
Part 3: Rooms & Structure (집의 구조와 공간)
Knowing your way around the house structure.
| No. | Korean (Pronun ciation) | English Meaning | 2~3 Word Real Dialogue | English Translation & Pronunciation |
| 36 | 현관 (hyeon-gwan) | Entrance | "현관 넓어요." | "Entrance is wide." (Hyeon-gwan neol-beo-yo) |
| 37 | 거실 (geo-sil) | Living Room | "거실이 깨끗해요." | "Living room is clean." (Geo-si-ri kkae-kkeu-tae-yo) |
| 38 | 침실 (chim-sil) | Bedroom | "침실 예뻐요." | "Bedroom is pretty." (Chim-sil ye-ppeo-yo) |
| 39 | 주방 / 부엌 (ju-bang / bu-eok) | Kitchen | "주방 작아요." | "Kitchen is small." (Ju-bang ja-ga-yo) |
| 40 | 화장실 (hwa-jang-sil) | Bathroom / Toilet | "화장실 두 개." | "Two bathrooms." (Hwa-jang-sil du gae) |
| 41 | 베란다 (be-ran-da) | Balcony | "베란다 있어요?" | "Is there a balcony?" (Be-ran-da it-seo-yo?) |
| 42 | 창문 (chang-mun) | Window | "창문 열어주세요." | "Open the window." (Chang-mun yeo-reo-ju-se-yo) |
| 43 | 바닥 (ba-dak) | Floor | "바닥 차가워요." | "Floor is cold." (Ba-dak cha-ga-wo-yo) |
| 44 | 벽 (byeok) | Wall | "벽이 더러워요." | "The wall is dirty." (Byeo-gi deo-reo-wo-yo) |
| 45 | 천장 (cheon-jang) | Ceiling | "천장 높아요." | "The ceiling is high." (Cheon-jang no-pa-yo) |
| 46 | 계단 (gye-dan) | Stairs | "계단 조심하세요." | "Watch the stairs." (Gye-dan jo-sim-ha-se-yo) |
| 47 | 현관문 (hyeon-gwan-mun) | Front Door | "현관문 닫아요." | "Close the front door." (Hyeon-gwan-mun da-da-yo) |
| 48 | 방충망 (bang-chung-mang) | Window Screen | "방충망 찢어졌어요." | "Screen is torn." (Bang-chung-mang jjij-eo-jyeot-seo-yo) |
| 49 | 옥상 (ok-sang) | Rooftop | "옥상 문 잠겼어요." | "Rooftop door is locked." (Ok-sang mun jam-gyeot-seo-yo) |
| 50 | 수납장 (su-nap-jang) | Storage Cabinet | "수납장 많아요?" | "Are there many cabinets?" (Su-nap-jang ma-na-yo?) |
Part 4: Options & Appliances (옵션 및 가구)
Studios and Officetels usually come "Full-Option" (fully furnished).
| No. | Korean (Pronun ciation) | English Meaning | 2~3 Word Real Dialogue | English Translation & Pronunciation |
| 51 | 옵션 (op-shyeon) | Included Furnishings | "풀옵션 원해요." | "I want full-option." (Pul-op-shyeon won-hae-yo) |
| 52 | 침대 (chim-dae) | Bed | "침대 푹신해요." | "Bed is soft." (Chim-dae puk-sin-hae-yo) |
| 53 | 옷장 (ot-jang) | Wardrobe / Closet | "옷장 커요." | "Closet is big." (Ot-jang keo-yo) |
| 54 | 신발장 (sin-bal-jang) | Shoe Rack | "신발장 좁아요." | "Shoe rack is narrow." (Sin-bal-jang jo-ba-yo) |
| 55 | 냉장고 (naeng-jang-go) | Refrigerator | "냉장고 냄새나요." | "Fridge smells." (Naeng-jang-go naem-sae-na-yo) |
| 56 | 세탁기 (se-tak-gi) | Washing Machine | "세탁기 돌려요." | "Running the washer." (Se-tak-gi dol-lyeo-yo) |
| 57 | 에어컨 (e-eo-keon) | Air Conditioner | "에어컨 켜주세요." | "Turn on the AC." (E-eo-keon kyeo-ju-se-yo) |
| 58 | 전자레인지 (jeon-ja-re-in-ji) | Microwave | "전자레인지 없어요." | "No microwave." (Jeon-ja-re-in-ji eop-seo-yo) |
| 59 | 가스레인지 (ga-seu-re-in-ji) | Gas Stove | "가스 불 켜요." | "Turn on the gas." (Ga-seu bul kyeo-yo) |
| 60 | 인덕션 (in-deok-syeon) | Induction Stove | "인덕션 편해요." | "Induction is convenient." (In-deok-syeon pyeon-hae-yo) |
| 61 | 싱크대 (sing-keu-dae) | Kitchen Sink | "싱크대 막혔어요." | "Sink is clogged." (Sing-keu-dae ma-kyeot-seo-yo) |
| 62 | 도어락 (do-eo-rak) | Digital Door Lock | "도어락 배터리 방전." | "Door lock battery dead." (Do-eo-rak bae-teo-ri bang-jeon) |
| 63 | 비밀번호 (bi-mil-beon-ho) | Password / PIN | "비밀번호 바꿨어요." | "Changed the password." (Bi-mil-beon-ho ba-kkwot-seo-yo) |
| 64 | 책상 (chaek-sang) | Desk | "책상 필요해요." | "I need a desk." (Chaek-sang pi-ryo-hae-yo) |
| 65 | 의자 (ui-ja) | Chair | "의자 부서졌어요." | "Chair is broken." (Ui-ja bu-seo-jyeot-seo-yo) |
Part 5: Inspecting the House Condition (집 상태 확인하기)
Before signing, always check these key environmental factors.
| No. | Korean (Pronun ciation) | English Meaning | 2~3 Word Real Dialogue | English Translation & Pronunciation |
| 66 | 수압 (su-ap) | Water Pressure | "수압 약해요." | "Water pressure is weak." (Su-ap ya-kae-yo) |
| 67 | 채광 (chae-gwang) | Natural Light | "채광 너무 좋아요." | "Light is so good." (Chae-gwang neo-mu jo-a-yo) |
| 68 | 남향 (nam-hyang) | South-facing | "남향 집이 최고." | "South-facing is best." (Nam-hyang ji-bi choe-go) |
| 69 | 북향 (buk-hyang) | North-facing | "북향은 추워요." | "North-facing is cold." (Buk-hyang-eun chu-wo-yo) |
| 70 | 방음 (bang-eum) | Soundproofing | "방음 안 돼요." | "Soundproofing is bad." (Bang-eum an dwae-yo) |
| 71 | 환기 (hwan-gi) | Ventilation | "환기 잘 돼요." | "Ventilation is good." (Hwan-gi jal dwae-yo) |
| 72 | 곰팡이 (gom-pang-i) | Mold | "벽에 곰팡이 폈어요." | "Mold grew on the wall." (Byeo-ge gom-pang-i pyeot-seo-yo) |
| 73 | 냄새 (naem-sae) | Smell / Odor | "하수구 냄새나요." | "Smells like a drain." (Ha-su-gu naem-sae-na-yo) |
| 74 | 벌레 (beol-le) | Bugs / Insects | "벌레 나와요." | "Bugs are coming out." (Beol-le na-wa-yo) |
| 75 | 넓이 / 평수 (neol-bi / pyeong-su) | Size / Square meters | "몇 평이에요?" | "How many pyeong is it?" (Myeot pyeong-i-e-yo?) |
| 76 | 도배 (do-bae) | Wallpapering | "도배 새로 해주세요." | "Please put new wallpaper." (Do-bae sae-ro hae-ju-se-yo) |
| 77 | 장판 (jang-pan) | Floor covering (Vinyl) | "장판 찢어졌어요." | "Floor covering is torn." (Jang-pan jjij-eo-jyeot-seo-yo) |
| 78 | 청소 (cheong-so) | Cleaning | "입주 청소 했어요?" | "Did you do move-in cleaning?" (Ip-ju cheong-so haet-seo-yo?) |
| 79 | 결로 (gyeol-lo) | Condensation | "창문에 결로 심해요." | "Severe condensation on window."(Chang-mu-ne gyeol-lo sim-hae-yo) |
| 80 | 외풍 (oe-pung) | Draft (Cold air) | "외풍이 세요." | "The draft is strong." (Oe-pung-i se-yo) |
Part 6: Maintenance, Repairs & Emergencies (유지보수 및 문제 해결)
💡 Deep Insight for Pro-Learners: Dealing with building maintenance requires swift communication. If a boiler breaks in winter or there is a sudden water leak (누수), do not hesitate. Call your landlord and use these exact short phrases to get immediate help.
| No. | Korean (Pronun ciation) | English Meaning | 2~3 Word Real Dialogue | English Translation & Pronunciation |
| 81 | 보일러 (bo-il-leo) | Boiler / Floor Heating | "보일러 고장났어요." | "The boiler is broken." (Bo-il-leo go-jang-nat-seo-yo) |
| 82 | 난방 (nan-bang) | Heating | "난방이 안 돼요." | "The heating isn't working." (Nan-bang-i an dwae-yo) |
| 83 | 온수 (on-su) | Hot Water | "온수 안 나와요." | "No hot water coming out." (On-su an na-wa-yo) |
| 84 | 전기 (jeon-gi) | Electricity | "전기 나갔어요." | "Power went out." (Jeon-gi na-gat-seo-yo) |
| 85 | 가스 (ga-seu) | Gas | "가스 끊겼어요." | "Gas is cut off." (Ga-seu kkeung-kyeot-seo-yo) |
| 86 | 수도 (su-do) | Water Supply | "수도 얼었어요." | "Water pipes froze." (Su-do eo-reot-seo-yo) |
| 87 | 누수 / 물 새요 (nu-su / mul sae-yo) | Water Leak | "천장에서 물 새요!" | "Water leaking from ceiling!" (Cheon-jang-e-seo mul sae-yo!) |
| 88 | 고장 (go-jang) | Broken | "완전 고장났어요." | "It's completely broken." (Wan-jeon go-jang-nat-seo-yo) |
| 89 | 수리 (su-ri) | Repair | "빨리 수리해 주세요." | "Please repair it quickly." (Ppal-li su-ri-hae ju-se-yo) |
| 90 | 기사님 (gi-sa-nim) | Technician / Repairman | "기사님 불렀어요." | "Called the technician." (Gi-sa-nim bul-leot-seo-yo) |
| 91 | 교체 (gyo-che) | Replacement | "전구 교체할게요." | "I'll replace the lightbulb." (Jeon-gu gyo-che-hal-ge-yo) |
| 92 | 수도꼭지 (su-do-kkok-ji) | Faucet / Tap | "수도꼭지 망가졌어요." | "Faucet is broken." (Su-do-kkok-ji mang-ga-jyeot-seo-yo) |
| 93 | 하수구 (ha-su-gu) | Drain | "하수구 막혔어요." | "The drain is clogged." (Ha-su-gu ma-kyeot-seo-yo) |
| 94 | 변기 (byeon-gi) | Toilet Bowl | "변기 뚫어주세요." | "Please unclog the toilet." (Byeon-gi ttu-reo-ju-se-yo) |
| 95 | 막혔어요 (ma-kyeot-seo-yo) | It is clogged | "물이 막혔어요." | "The water is clogged." (Mu-ri ma-kyeot-seo-yo) |
| 96 | 수선 (su-seon) | Mending / Fixing | "방충망 수선 필요." | "Need screen fixing." (Bang-chung-mang su-seon pi-ryo) |
| 97 | 차단기 (cha-dan-gi) | Circuit Breaker | "차단기 내려갔어요." | "Breaker tripped." (Cha-dan-gi nae-ryeo-gat-seo-yo) |
| 98 | 동파 (dong-pa) | Freezing and bursting | "겨울 동파 조심." | "Watch for frozen pipes in winter."(Gyeo-ul dong-pa jo-sim) |
| 99 | 점검 (jeom-geom) | Inspection / Check | "가스 점검 왔어요." | "Here for gas inspection." (Ga-seu jeom-geom wat-seo-yo) |
| 100 | AS센터 (e-i-e-seu sen-teo) | Customer Service Center | "AS센터 번호요." | "CS Center number." (E-i-e-seu sen-teo beon-ho-yo) |
Part 7: Administration, Legal & Neighborhood Rules (행정 및 동네 규칙)
💡 Deep Insight for Pro-Learners: When dealing with older properties, especially independent buildings constructed in the 1990s, verifying the building ledger (Geonchungmul-daejang) at the district office (Gucheong) is a crucial step to ensure everything is legally registered before signing contracts.
| No. | Korean (Pronun ciation) | English Meaning | 2~3 Word Real Dialogue | English Translation & Pronunciation |
| 101 | 구청 (gu-cheong) | District Office | "구청 어디예요?" | "Where is the district office?" (Gu-cheong eo-di-ye-yo?) |
| 102 | 주민센터 (ju-min-sen-teo) | Community Center | "주민센터 갈게요." | "Going to the community center." (Ju-min-sen-teo gal-ge-yo) |
| 103 | 전입신고 (jeon-ip-sin-go) | Move-in Notification | "전입신고 하러 왔어요." | "Here to report move-in." (Jeon-ip-sin-go ha-reo wat-seo-yo) |
| 104 | 확정일자 (hwak-jeong-il-ja) | Fixed Date (Protects deposit) | "확정일자 받아주세요." | "Get a fixed date, please." (Hwak-jeong-il-ja ba-da-ju-se-yo) |
| 105 | 건축물대장 (geon-chung-mul-dae-jang) | Building Ledger | "건축물대장 떼주세요." | "Please issue the building ledger." (Geon-chung-mul-dae-jang tte-ju-se-yo) |
| 106 | 합법 (hap-beop) | Legal | "이거 합법이에요?" | "Is this legal?" (I-geo hap-beo-bi-e-yo?) |
| 107 | 불법 건축물 (bul-beop geon-chung-mul) | Illegal Extension/Building | "불법 건축물 안 돼요." | "Illegal buildings are a no." (Bul-beop geon-chung-mul an dwae-yo) |
| 108 | 쓰레기 (sseu-re-gi) | Garbage / Trash | "쓰레기 버려요." | "Throwing away trash." (Sseu-re-gi beo-ryeo-yo) |
| 109 | 분리수거 (bul-li-su-geo) | Recycling Separation | "분리수거 언제예요?" | "When is recycling?" (Bul-li-su-geo eon-je-ye-yo?) |
| 110 | 종량제 봉투 (jong-ryang-je bong-tu) | Standardized Trash Bag | "종량제 봉투 주세요." | "Standard trash bag, please." (Jong-ryang-je bong-tu ju-se-yo) |
| 111 | 음식물 쓰레기 (eum-sing-mul sseu-re-gi) | Food Waste | "음식물 쓰레기 냄새." | "Food waste smell." (Eum-sing-mul sseu-re-gi naem-sae) |
| 112 | 주차 (ju-cha) | Parking | "주차 가능해요?" | "Is parking possible?" (Ju-cha ga-neung-hae-yo?) |
| 113 | 주차장 (ju-cha-jang) | Parking Lot | "지하 주차장 넓어요." | "Underground parking is wide." (Ji-ha ju-cha-jang neol-beo-yo) |
| 114 | 층간소음 (cheung-gan-so-eum) | Inter-floor Noise | "층간소음 조심하세요." | "Careful with floor noise." (Cheung-gan-so-eum jo-sim-ha-se-yo) |
| 115 | 엘리베이터 (el-li-be-i-teo) | Elevator | "엘리베이터 고장." | "Elevator is broken." (El-li-be-i-teo go-jang) |
| 116 | 경비실 (gyeong-bi-sil) | Security/Guard Office | "경비실에 맡기세요." | "Leave it at the guard office." (Gyeong-bi-si-re mat-gi-se-yo) |
| 117 | 택배 (taek-bae) | Parcel / Delivery | "문 앞에 택배 있어요." | "Parcel in front of the door." (Mun a-pe taek-bae it-seo-yo) |
Wrap-Up
Mastering these 117 housing words will make your life in Korea infinitely smoother. Remember, when dealing with real estate or maintenance, you don't need perfect grammar. Saying two words clearly like "수압 약해요" (Water pressure weak) or "물 새요" (Water leaking) is much better than trying to build a long, confusing sentence.
Which word do you think is the most useful for your current living situation? Let me know in the comments below!
"Found this guide helpful? Keep mastering Korean with my other professional series:
[Mastering Daily Conversations] Series 15: The Art of Context [https://www.k-lifestylemaster.com/2026/06/series-1550-art-of-context-how-one.html]
[DIY Beauty Guide] My Personal Skincare Protocol [https://www.k-lifestylemaster.com/2026/06/the-ultimate-guide-to-k-beautys-secret.html]
Check out my YouTube channel for native pronunciation: [https://www.youtube.com/@eko-99999]
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