🏠 Describing Your House or Room – Beginner Level (TOPIK 1–2)
Learning how to describe your home in Korean is a fun way to expand your vocabulary and talk about daily life! Whether you live in an apartment, a house, or a shared room, this post will help you express it in Korean easily 😊
📍 Basic Vocabulary: Types of Homes
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 아파트 | apateu | Apartment (high-rise) |
| 단독주택 | dandok-jutaek | Detached house |
| 오피스텔 | opisutel | Studio/Office-tel |
| 원룸 | wolnum | One-room (studio apartment) |
| 기숙사 | gisuksa | Dormitory |
🛏️ Describing Your Room
- 제 방은 작지만 아늑해요. (Je bang-eun jakjiman aneukhaeyo.) → My room is small but cozy.
- 책상이 있고 침대도 있어요. (Chaeksangi itgo chimdaedo isseoyo.) → There’s a desk and a bed.
- 창문이 커서 햇빛이 잘 들어와요. (Changmuni keoseo haetbichi jal deureowayo.) → The window is big, so sunlight comes in well.
🏙️ Why Do Koreans Prefer Apartments?
In Korea, especially in Seoul, many people live in 아파트 (apateu), or high-rise apartments. Apartments are convenient, safe, and well-equipped with elevators, parking, and security systems. Due to limited land and a high population density, apartments became the standard housing option. Also, real estate value for apartments tends to rise, so they’re also seen as good investments.
💸 Seoul vs Other Cities: Housing Price Comparison (2025)
| City | Avg Price per m² (USD) |
|---|---|
| Seoul | $16,000 |
| New York | $18,300 |
| London | $15,500 |
| Paris | $13,200 |
| Tokyo | $10,800 |
Seoul’s housing prices are among the highest in the world, especially in popular districts like Gangnam. This makes owning a home a major life goal for many Koreans.
💡 Did You Know?
In Korea, it’s common to remove your shoes when entering a house. The entrance area is called 현관 (hyeongwan), and there’s usually a space for shoe storage. This tradition is deeply connected to cleanliness and respect for the home.
💬 Practice Dialogue
B: 저는 서울에 있는 아파트에 살아요. (I live in an apartment in Seoul.)
A: 방은 어때요? (How is your room?)
B: 크지는 않지만 아주 깨끗하고 조용해요. (It’s not big, but it’s very clean and quiet.)
💬 Practice Korean with Me on italki!
Want to practice real conversations about your home and daily life? Join my Korean classes on italki. We’ll talk about your room, city life, rent prices, and more!
Describing your home is a great step in learning Korean. It helps you share your life and connect with others. Keep practicing, and you’ll be more fluent every day! 😊
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