7 Korean English Words You’ll Hear in Everyday Housing – From Apartment (아파트) to One Room (원룸)

💝Lost in Translation? Korean English Words – 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 — apartments, villas, officetels, and even those “fully furnished” rentals you see in listings. 🏠 

 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 ^^

Heads-up! Some of these words might look like familiar English, but in Korea they can mean something totally different — like same spelling, different soul ^^ I’ll walk you through the real-life meanings so you won’t get tripped up by “apartment vs 아파트,” “villa vs 빌라,” or “intercom vs 인터폰.” Let's did 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?)

Translation
A: Jisoo lives in your apartment complex too.
B: Oh really? Which building?


💛 Story Note
In English, “apartment” usually means one tall building. But in Korea, apartment (아파트, a-pa-teu) = a massive residential complex with multiple buildings, gates, playgrounds, gardens, and shops. It’s more like a mini-city than just a building.

  • Apartment (아파트, a-pa-teu) = large residential complex
  • Includes playgrounds, gardens, and convenience stores


💜 Villa (빌라)


Situation
You’re visiting a friend’s house.

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)

Translation
A: I’m right in front of your villa.
B: Okay, come on up to the third floor.


💛 Story Note
In English, “villa” sounds like a luxury vacation home. But in Korea, villa (빌라, billa) = a small low-rise apartment building, usually 3–5 floors. It’s cozy and neighborhood-friendly, not luxurious.

  • Villa (빌라, bil-la) = low-rise apartment 🏢
  • Everyday housing in Korean neighborhoods


💜 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?)

Translation
A: I just moved into a small studio near campus.
B: Oh nice, is it walking distance?


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 원룸 (won-rum) is often called a “one-room” in Konglish. The closest English word is a studio. Korean 원룸s are designed mainly for single living — compact units (about 18–30㎡) with a bathroom, kitchenette, and often a built-in washer. You’ll see 원룸 buildings clustered near universities; they’re popular with students, newlyweds, and young professionals just starting out.

  • One Room (원룸, won-rum) = small studio near campus
  • Compact but complete; often one-room-only buildings


💜 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)

Translation
A: How’s the new studio apartment?
B: It’s really nice — super clean and the commute’s so easy.


💛 Story Note
오피스텔 (officetel) comes from “office + hotel.” Originally built to combine work and living, many are now used primarily as homes. Legally they’re office facilities, but once you register your residence (전입신고), they’re treated as housing. Typical sizes are 20–40㎡, newer buildings, and built-in appliances are standard; facilities often include elevators, parking, and security. They sit in mixed-use buildings (shops/offices below, residences above), close to subway stations and business districts — perfect for young professionals and freelancers. 

👉 If an officetel is laid out like a one-room unit, Koreans may casually say they live in a “one-room,” even though it’s technically an officetel.

  • Officetel (오피스텔, o-pi-seu-tel) = modern studio apartment
  • Mixed-use city buildings; newer with security & parking
  • Popular with young professionals near transit

Feature One Room (원룸) Officetel (오피스텔)
Size 18–30㎡, usually small 20–40㎡, often bigger
Location Near universities, residential streets City centers, near subway stations
Residents Students, newlyweds, young people Young professionals, freelancers, office workers
Building Type Small low-rise; often one-room-only Mixed-use complexes (shops/offices + homes)
Facilities Basic & compact; sometimes appliances included Newer; elevators, parking, security — higher rent/fees

👉 Note: If an officetel has a one-room layout, people may casually call it a “one-room,” even though it’s in an officetel building.



💜 Full-option (풀옵션)


Situation
A newlywed couple is looking for their first home together.

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?)

Translation
A: They say this place is fully furnished.
B: Really? Even the fridge and washer are included?


💛 Story Note
In English, the word “option” usually means something you can choose to add — for example, car options like a sunroof or leather seats. But in Korean housing, 옵션 (op-syeon) means the appliances and furniture that are already included in the room. So when you see 풀옵션 (pul-op-syeon) in a real estate listing, it means the place is fully furnished with basics like a fridge, air conditioner, washer, and sometimes even a microwave. You might also hear 옵션 in other contexts, like cars or travel packages, where it refers to “what’s provided as part of the deal.” 

👉 And here’s a tip: in Korea, many one-rooms (원룸) and officetels (오피스텔) are already rented as 풀옵션 units, which makes them especially convenient for students and young professionals who don’t want to buy appliances themselves.

  • Full-option (풀옵션, pul-op-syeon) = rental with appliances included
  • Natural English = furnished / fully furnished
  • Common in one-rooms and officetels

👉 Note: In Korea, 풀옵션 often focuses on appliances more than furniture, while “fully furnished” in English may also imply major furniture pieces.


💜 Rimodeling (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?)

Translation
A: We’ve been renovating our kitchen lately.
B: Oh yeah? What style are you going for?


💛 Story Note
In Korea, 리모델링 (Rimodeling) usually means a full makeover, not just a small repair. It could be a kitchen renovation, a bathroom renovation, or even a whole home project. In English, people usually say renovation for major projects, and remodel when talking about changing the layout or style. So “rimodeling” in Korean is actually broader than either term in English.

  • Rimodeling (리모델링, ri-mo-del-ling) = renovation / remodel
  • Kitchen, bathroom, or even the whole house


💜 Interphone (인터폰)


Situation
It’s late at night, and the upstairs neighbors are making a lot of noise.

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)

Translation
A: Honey, I think we should call the management office on the intercom.
B: Let’s wait a little longer and see.


💛 Story Note
In English, the correct word is intercom, but in Korea it’s almost always called 인터폰 (in-teo-pon). In English, “interphone” usually refers to special systems, like phones used by airplane crew. But in Korea, 인터폰 means the intercom system in apartments or villas. It’s used not only to buzz guests in, but also to call the management office (관리실) for issues like noise, leaks, or repairs — usually only when the management is responsible for fixing the problem. So when a Korean says “인터폰 해,” it means “use the intercom,” not “pick up your phone.”

  • Interphone (인터폰, in-teo-pon) = intercom
  • Used to buzz guests or call the management office in Korean housing


💜 Quick Recap


Infographic of Korean English words for housing: apateu, villa, one-room, officetel, full-option, rimodeling, interphone


  • 아파트 (a-pa-teu) = apartment complex
  • 빌라 (bil-la) = low-rise apartment
  • 원룸 (won-rum) = small studio apartment
  • 오피스텔 (o-pi-seu-tel) = modern studio apartment
  • 풀옵션 (pul-op-syeon) = rental with appliances included
  • 리모델링 (ri-mo-del-ling) = renovation
  • 인터폰 (in-teo-pon) = intercom / door buzzer


💜 Final Thoughts


That’s our first Konglish set — everyday housing terms Koreans use all the time. Some of these words might look familiar, but in Korea they carry very different meanings. Now you’ll know exactly what your Korean 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 in Korea.


With love,

한글리아 😊



Part 1 of the Konglish series — Next → Part 2: 10 Korean English Words for Everyday Items at Home — From Hand Phone (핸드폰) to Remote Control (리모컨)





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