7 Konglish Housing Words You’ll Hear in Korea — From Apartment (아파트) to One Room (원룸)
💝 Lost in Translation? Konglish Series – Part 1: Everyday Housing
안녕하세요. I'm Hangeulia ^-^
Welcome to the very first episode of my Konglish series! Today, we’re stepping inside the places where Koreans live — apateu (아파트), billa (빌라), one-room (원룸), and the famous officetel (오피스텔).
If you’ve ever wondered why your Korean friend says they live in a “one-room” or what on earth an “interphone” is, this post is for you ^^ These words might look like familiar English, but in Korea they can mean something totally different — same spelling, different soul ㅎㅎ
So here’s what you’ll get in this guide:
• A mini real-life dialogue (Korean + romanization)
• The most natural English meaning (so you can explain it clearly)
• A quick tip you can actually use when reading listings or chatting with friends
Heads-up! I’ll keep it simple, practical, and real — so you won’t get tripped up by “apartment vs 아파트,” “villa vs 빌라,” or “intercom vs 인터폰.” Let’s dig in ^^
💜 Apartment (아파트)
Situation
Friends chatting about someone they know.
Dialogue
A: 지수도 너네 아파트에 산대.
(ji-su-do neo-ne a-pa-teu-e san-dae)
B: 진짜? 몇 동?
(jin-jja? myeot dong?)
Natural English
A: Jisoo lives in your apartment complex too.
B: Oh really? Which building?
💛 Story Note
In English, an apartment usually means a rental unit (or an apartment building).
But in Korea, apartment (아파트, a-pa-teu) often means a large apartment complex with multiple buildings, gates, playgrounds, gardens, and shops.
It can feel like a mini-city rather than “just one building.”
- Apartment (아파트, a-pa-teu) = large apartment complex
- 동 (dong) = building number inside the complex
Quick tip: If someone says “I live in an apartment” in Korea, they often mean a big, managed complex — not just a random building on a street.
💜 Villa (빌라)
Situation
You’re visiting a friend’s place.
Dialogue
A: 나 지금 너네 빌라 앞이야.
(na ji-geum neo-ne bil-la ap-i-ya)
B: 응, 3층으로 올라와.
(eung, sam-cheung-eu-ro ol-la-wa)
Natural English
A: I’m right in front of your building.
B: Okay, come up to the third floor.
💛 Story Note
In English, “villa” sounds like a luxury vacation home.
But in Korea, villa (빌라, bil-la) usually means a small low-rise apartment building, often 3–5 floors.
It’s common, neighborhood-style housing — not fancy by default.
- Villa (빌라, bil-la) = low-rise apartment building
- Often walk-up buildings (sometimes no elevator)
So if your friend says they live in a “villa” in Korea, picture a cozy low-rise apartment building — not a vacation mansion ㅎㅎ
💜 One Room (원룸)
Situation
A college student just moved closer to campus.
Dialogue
A: 이번에 여기 학교 근처 원룸으로 이사했어.
(i-beon-e yeo-gi hak-gyo geun-cheo won-rum-eu-ro i-sa-haet-seo)
B: 오~ 가까워?
(o~ ga-kka-weo?)
Natural English
A: I just moved into a small studio near campus.
B: Oh nice — is it walking distance?
💛 Story Note
In Korea, one-room (원룸, won-rum) is Konglish for a studio apartment.
It usually means one main living/sleeping area plus a bathroom, with a small kitchenette space.
You’ll see lots of 원룸 buildings clustered near universities and office-heavy areas.
- One Room (원룸, won-rum) = studio apartment
- Popular with students and young professionals
That said, some studio-style units are inside officetel buildings — which brings us to the next word ^^
💜 Officetel (오피스텔)
Situation
Friends talking about a new place.
Dialogue
A: 새로 이사한 오피스텔 어때?
(sae-ro i-sa-han o-pi-seu-tel eo-ttae?)
B: 깨끗하고 좋아. 출퇴근도 편하고.
(kkae-kkeut-ha-go jo-a. chul-toe-geun-do pyeon-ha-go)
Natural English
A: How’s the new place?
B: It’s really nice — super clean, and the commute’s so easy.
💛 Story Note
Officetel (오피스텔) comes from “office + hotel.”
Originally designed for both working and living, many are now used mainly as homes.
They’re often in convenient locations near subway stations, and newer buildings commonly have security, elevators, and parking.
In natural English, you can describe it as a studio or a small apartment in a mixed-use building, depending on the layout.
- Officetel (오피스텔, o-pi-seu-tel) = studio / small apartment in a mixed-use building
- Often newer; security/elevator/parking are common
- Popular with young professionals near transit
| Feature | One Room (원룸) | Officetel (오피스텔) |
|---|---|---|
| Main idea | Studio layout (a type of unit) | Building category (often mixed-use) |
| Where you see it | Near universities, residential streets | Near subway stations, business districts |
| Facilities | Basic & compact | Often newer; security/elevator/parking |
👉 Note: Koreans sometimes call an officetel “one-room” when the unit layout is studio-style.
💜 Full-option (풀옵션)
Situation
A newlywed couple is checking a rental listing.
Dialogue
A: 이 집 풀옵션이래.
(i jip pul-op-syeon-i-rae)
B: 진짜? 냉장고랑 세탁기도 다 포함이야?
(jin-jja? naeng-jang-go-rang se-tak-gi-do da po-ham-i-ya?)
Natural English
A: They say this place is fully furnished.
B: Really? Even the fridge and washer are included?
💛 Story Note
In English, an “option” is something you choose to add.
But in Korean housing, 옵션 (op-syeon) means what’s already included — often appliances, and sometimes basic furniture.
So 풀옵션 (pul-op-syeon) usually means the place comes with essentials like a fridge, air conditioner, and a washing machine.
- Full-option (풀옵션, pul-op-syeon) = furnished rental (often appliance-included)
- Natural English: furnished / fully furnished
Extra tip: In Korea, 풀옵션 often focuses more on appliances than big furniture pieces — so it can feel different from “fully furnished” in English.
💜 Remodeling (리모델링)
Situation
Neighbors chatting about home updates.
Dialogue
A: 우리 요즘 주방 리모델링 하고 있어.
(u-ri yo-jeum ju-bang ri-mo-del-ling ha-go it-seo)
B: 진짜? 어떤 스타일로?
(jin-jja? eo-tteon seu-ta-il-lo?)
Natural English
A: We’ve been renovating our kitchen lately.
B: Oh yeah? What style are you going for?
💛 Story Note
Koreans use 리모델링 (ri-mo-del-ling) for anything from a big makeover to a full renovation.
In natural English, renovation is the safest word for major upgrades.
“Remodel” can imply changing the layout or style, but everyday English still uses “renovate” a lot.
- Remodeling (리모델링, ri-mo-del-ling) = renovation / remodel
- Common collocation: kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation
💜 Interphone (인터폰)
Situation
You need to contact the building management.
Dialogue
A: 여보, 관리실에 인터폰 해야 될 것 같아.
(yeo-bo, gwan-ri-sil-e in-teo-pon hae-ya doel geot gat-a)
B: 우리 조금만 더 기다려 보자.
(u-ri jo-geum-man deo gi-da-ryeo bo-ja)
Natural English
A: I think we should call the management office on the intercom.
B: Let’s wait a little longer and see.
💛 Story Note
In natural English, the everyday word is intercom.
But in Korea, people almost always say 인터폰 (in-teo-pon).
It can mean the door buzzer system, and it can also mean the unit you use to call the management office (관리실) for building issues such as noise, leaks, or repairs.
So when a Korean says “인터폰 해,” it means “use the intercom,” not “pick up your phone.”
- Interphone (인터폰, in-teo-pon) = intercom / door buzzer
- Often used to contact building management
💜 Quick Recap
So, here’s a quick recap:
- 아파트 (a-pa-teu) = apartment complex
- 빌라 (bil-la) = low-rise apartment building
- 원룸 (won-rum) = studio apartment
- 오피스텔 (o-pi-seu-tel) = studio/small apartment in a mixed-use building
- 풀옵션 (pul-op-syeon) = furnished rental (often appliance-included)
- 리모델링 (ri-mo-del-ling) = renovation / remodel
- 인터폰 (in-teo-pon) = intercom / door buzzer
Now that you’ve got the basics, here are quick answers to the most common questions travelers ask ^^
💜 FAQ: Korean Housing Words (Quick Answers)
1) Is “one-room (원룸)” literally one room with no kitchen?
Not exactly. In Korea, one-room (원룸 – won-rum) usually means a studio apartment: one main living/sleeping area plus a bathroom, with a small kitchenette space. So it’s “one main room” in layout, but it’s still a complete unit.
2) What’s the easiest English word for “빌라 (villa)” in Korea?
In most cases, the most natural English is a low-rise apartment building (or simply a small apartment building). Calling it a “villa” in English can sound like a luxury vacation home — which is not what Koreans usually mean by 빌라.
3) What’s the difference between an officetel (오피스텔) and a one-room (원룸)?
Think of it like this: one-room often describes the layout (studio-style), while officetel often describes the building type (mixed-use, newer, near transit). That’s why Koreans sometimes call a studio-style officetel unit “one-room” in casual conversation ㅎㅎ
4) Does “풀옵션 (full-option)” mean fully furnished like a Western apartment?
Sometimes, but in Korea 풀옵션 (pul-op-syeon) often focuses on appliances more than big furniture. It commonly means the rental already includes items like a fridge, washing machine, air conditioner, and sometimes a microwave — which is super convenient if you’re moving short-term.
5) If someone says “인터폰 해 (interphone hae),” do they mean a phone call?
Nope. 인터폰 (in-teo-pon) in Korea usually means the intercom / door buzzer system in your building. So “인터폰 해” means “use the intercom,” often to contact the building management office (관리실) or to buzz someone in.
6) What should I say in English if I want to explain these terms to friends?
- 아파트 = apartment complex
- 빌라 = low-rise apartment building
- 원룸 = studio apartment
- 오피스텔 = studio/small apartment in a mixed-use building
- 풀옵션 = furnished rental (often appliance-included)
- 인터폰 = intercom / door buzzer
7) What are “jeonse (전세)” and “wolse (월세)” that I keep seeing in Korean housing listings?
In Korea, rentals work a little differently from many Western countries.
- Jeonse (전세) is a large refundable deposit system. You pay a big lump-sum deposit upfront, but no monthly rent. When you move out, the deposit is returned to you.
- Wolse (월세) is a monthly rent system. You still pay a deposit, but it’s smaller, and then you pay rent every month.
Quick tip: Most one-rooms (원룸) and officetels (오피스텔) that foreigners rent short-term are wolse rather than jeonse.
💜 Final Thoughts
That’s Part 1 of the Konglish series — everyday housing terms Koreans use all the time. Some words look familiar, but in Korea they carry very different meanings. Now that you know the basics, you’ll understand what friends mean when they talk about their “one-room” or “officetel” ^^
👉 Next time, in Part 2: Everyday Items at Home (핸드폰, 노트북, 티슈, 에어컨...), we’ll explore the Konglish words you’ll hear when talking about home appliances and daily essentials.
With love,
한글리아 ^-^
Part 1 of the Konglish series — Next → Part 2: 10 Konglish Words You’ll Hear at Home — From Hand Phone (핸드폰) to Remote Control (리모컨)
