Finding an Apartment in Korea: Real Estate Phrases You’ll Actually Use (Tap to Hear It Spoken)
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Living in Korea
Finding an Apartment in Korea: Real Estate Phrases You’ll Actually Use
Every phrase below is tappable — press it and your browser speaks it aloud in Korean, so you know exactly how it should sound before you ever walk into a 부동산 (real estate office).
Most renters in Korea find a place through a local 부동산 agent rather than browsing listings alone — the vocabulary below is what that conversation actually sounds like.
Walking Into the 부동산
These open the conversation and tell the agent what you’re looking for.
방 있어요?
bang isseoyo?
Do you have a room/apartment available?
원룸을 찾고 있어요
wonrumeul chatgo isseoyo
I’m looking for a studio apartment (one-room)
예산은 얼마 정도예요
yesaneun eolma jeongdoyeyo
(agent asks) About what’s your budget?
역에서 가까운 곳이 좋아요
yeogeseo gakkaun goshi joayo
Somewhere close to the station is good
Useful to know: most agents will ask your budget before showing anything — having a number ready in won speeds things up a lot.
Jeonse vs Wolse — The Money Words
Korea’s rental system runs on two models that don’t exist in most other countries. Knowing these terms avoids a lot of confusion.
전세
jeonse
A large lump-sum deposit (often most of the property’s value) instead of monthly rent — refunded when you leave
월세
wolse
A smaller deposit plus monthly rent — the model closest to renting abroad
보증금
bojeunggeum
Security deposit
관리비 포함이에요?
gwallibi pohamieyo?
Is the maintenance fee included?
Worth knowing: 관리비 (maintenance fee) is a separate monthly charge on top of rent in most Korean apartments — it covers building upkeep, sometimes internet or water. Always ask if it’s included in a listed price.
Viewings move fast in Korea — agents often show several units back to back the same day.
Questions to Ask During a Viewing
Don’t just nod along — these get you real answers about the place.
엘리베이터 있어요?
ellibeiteo isseoyo?
Is there an elevator?
채광이 어때요?
chaegwangi eottaeyo?
How’s the natural light?
언제부터 입주 가능해요?
eonjebuteo ipju ganeunghaeyo?
From when can I move in?
계약 기간이 어떻게 돼요?
gyeyak gigani eotteoke dwaeyo?
What’s the contract length?
생각해 볼게요
saenggakhae bolgeyo
I’ll think about it (a polite way to leave without committing)
These phrases are just the start
Real conversations move fast — a proper foundation in Korean means you’re not just reading phrase cards, you’re actually understanding what’s said back.
