公寓
gong yu/kʊŋ⁵⁵ y⁵¹/
The English word 'condominium' is translated into Mandarin as 公寓 (gong yu).
In modern urban contexts, 公寓 is the standard term used to describe multi-unit residential buildings or individual units within them.
Meaning: unit or apartment in such a complex (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 公寓 is composed of 公, meaning public or common and 寓, meaning residence or dwelling.
Which one should you use?
While 公寓 is the general term for an apartment or condominium and can refer to either the building or the specific unit, 住宅 refers more broadly to a residential property.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as gong yu (/kʊŋ⁵⁵ y⁵¹/).
Did you know?
- The character 寓 in 公寓 is also used in the word 寓言 which means 'fable' because a fable is a story where a moral is 'hidden' or 'residing' within the plot.
- The word 公寓 was popularized in the early 20th century as a loan translation to describe the Western-style apartment buildings appearing in treaty ports like Shanghai.
- If you are looking for a high-end 'condo' in a city like Shanghai, you are more likely to see the English word 'Apartment' or 'Villa' transliterated or used directly in marketing than the formal 公寓.
Examples in context
- 我最近买了一套公寓。I recently bought a condominium.
- 他住在一座高级公寓楼里。He lives in a high-end condominium building.
- 这套公寓非常漂亮。Zhè tào gōngyù fēicháng piàoliang.This apartment is very beautiful.
- 他在市中心租了一间公寓。Tā zài shì zhōngxīn zūle yī jiān gōngyù.He rented an apartment in the city center.
- 这里的公寓租金很贵。Zhèlǐ de gōngyù zūjīn hěn guì.The rent for the apartments here is very expensive.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiayi are discussing housing options.
- 志强 Zhiqiang佳怡，你想买公寓吗？Jiāyí, nǐ xiǎng mǎi gōngyù ma?Jiayi, do you want to buy an apartment?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我想买，但是太贵了。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi, dànshì tài guì le.I want to, but it is too expensive.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我可以帮你找便宜的公寓。Wǒ kěyǐ bāng nǐ zhǎo piányí de gōngyù.I can help you find a cheap apartment.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那真是太谢谢你了。Nà zhēnshi tài xièxiè nǐ le.That is really very kind of you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 公寓, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
