아파트
apateu[a̠pʰa̠tʰɯ]
The Korean word for apartment is 아파트 (apateu). Wiktionary also lists 맨션 (maensyeon).
Meaning: domicile occupying part of a building (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 아파트 | apateu | [a̠pʰa̠tʰɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 맨션 | maensyeon | [mɛnɕʰʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [me̞nɕʰʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word 아파트 is used to describe a domicile occupying part of a building. In the Korean context, it specifically refers to large-scale high-rise apartment complexes rather than just an individual unit in a low-rise building.
Which one should you use?
While 아파트 is a loanword from the English 'apartment', it implies a high-rise complex. In contrast, the word 맨션 is also a loanword but is rarely used for modern apartments. It historically referred to specific types of luxury villas or older, high-end residential buildings. Additionally, if you are referring to a two or three-story building that resembles a townhouse, the term 빌라 is used instead.
How do you pronounce it?
apateu
Did you know?
- While 아파트 sounds like the English 'apartment', it actually entered the Korean language via a Japanese phonetic shortcut, アパート, which was itself an abbreviation of the English word.
- Real estate in an 아파트 is often viewed as a primary investment vehicle in Korea, leading to a culture of 'apartment brand' prestige.
- In Korea, 아파트 complexes often function as self-contained towns with their own gyms, libraries and senior centers.
Examples in context
- 나는 작은 아파트에 살아요.I live in a small apartment.This sentence is useful for describing where you live using 아파트.Tatoeba #4963570 by rainbow4us, translation #4262909 by JFMorais
- 네 아파트는 잘 유지되고 있니?Is your apartment well maintained?This sentence is useful for asking about the maintenance of an 아파트.Tatoeba #8367770 by Eunhee, translation #17424 by papabear
- 새미는 그 아파트가 필요없었습니다.Sami didn't need that apartment.This sentence is useful for stating that someone did not need a specific 아파트.Tatoeba #13264333 by jungmin_kim, translation #7976583 by OsoHombre
- 이 아파트는 얼마나 큰가요?How big is this apartment?
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about moving to a new home.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 언제 이사해요?Hyeon-u ssi, eonje isa-haeyo?Hyeon-u, when are you moving?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo다음 주에 새 아파트로 가요.da-eum ju-e sae apateu-ro gayo.I am moving to a new apartment next week.
- 지은 Ji-eun그 아파트는 어디에 있어요?geu apateu-neun eodi-e isseoyo?Where is that apartment located?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo회사 근처에 있어요.hoesa geun-cheo-e isseoyo.It is near my office.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “apartment” translations and entries 아파트, 맨션, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 맨션, 아파트, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
