Understanding the Korean rental system is crucial when looking for accommodation in Korea. This guide focuses on 월세 (wolse), the common term for monthly rent, and provides essential vocabulary and phrases you’ll need when dealing with housing contracts, payments, and negotiations in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Term: Monthly Rent
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Expression: 월세
Pronunciation: wol-se
Meaning: Monthly rent (literally “month rent”)
Basic Rental Terms
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Expression: 보증금
Pronunciation: bo-jeung-geum
Meaning: Security deposit (a significant lump sum paid upfront) -
Expression: 관리비
Pronunciation: gwan-ri-bi
Meaning: Maintenance fee (often paid monthly along with rent) -
Expression: 계약금
Pronunciation: gye-yak-geum
Meaning: Down payment / Contract deposit (part of the security deposit paid upon signing) -
Expression: 부동산
Pronunciation: bu-dong-san
Meaning: Real estate agency -
Expression: 집주인
Pronunciation: jip-ju-in
Meaning: Landlord / Property owner -
Expression: 세입자
Pronunciation: se-ip-ja
Meaning: Tenant -
Expression: 계약서
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo
Meaning: Contract / Lease agreement -
Expression: 계약 기간
Pronunciation: gye-yak gi-gan
Meaning: Contract period / Lease term -
Expression: 이사하다
Pronunciation: i-sa-ha-da
Meaning: To move (house) -
Expression: 공과금
Pronunciation: gong-gwa-geum
Meaning: Utility bills (gas, electricity, water) -
Expression: 원룸
Pronunciation: won-rum
Meaning: Studio apartment (one room) -
Expression: 오피스텔
Pronunciation: o-pi-seu-tel
Meaning: Officetel (studio apartment often in a mixed-use building)
Phrases for Finding a Place
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Expression: 월세방을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: wol-se-bang-eul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am looking for a room/apartment for monthly rent. -
Expression: 이 집 월세는 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: i jip wol-se-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the monthly rent for this house/place? -
Expression: 보증금은 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: bo-jeung-geum-eun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the security deposit? -
Expression: 관리비는 포함인가요?
Pronunciation: gwan-ri-bi-neun po-ham-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the maintenance fee included? -
Expression: 집 좀 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jip jom bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I see the place? -
Expression: 계약 기간은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gye-yak gi-gan-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the contract period? (How long is the lease?) -
Expression: 근처에 지하철역이 있나요?
Pronunciation: geun-cheo-e ji-ha-cheol-yeo-gi in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a subway station nearby? -
Expression: 언제 입주 가능해요?
Pronunciation: eon-je ip-ju ga-neung-hae-yo?
Meaning: When is it possible to move in? -
Expression: 옵션은 뭐가 있나요?
Pronunciation: op-syeon-eun mwo-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: What options (furniture/appliances) are included? -
Expression: 이 지역 시세는 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeok si-se-neun eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the market price (for rent) in this area? -
Expression: 다른 월세 매물도 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun wol-se mae-mul-do in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there other monthly rental properties available? -
Expression: 주차는 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: ju-cha-neun ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is parking available?
Phrases for Discussing Rent
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Expression: 월세는 언제 내야 하나요?
Pronunciation: wol-se-neun eon-je nae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: When do I have to pay the monthly rent? -
Expression: 월세는 매달 며칠에 내면 되나요?
Pronunciation: wol-se-neun mae-dal myeo-chil-e nae-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What day of the month should I pay the rent? -
Expression: 월세 계좌 이체로 보내드릴게요.
Pronunciation: wol-se gye-jwa i-che-ro bo-nae-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will send the monthly rent via bank transfer. -
Expression: 월세에 관리비가 포함되어 있나요?
Pronunciation: wol-se-e gwan-ri-bi-ga po-ham-doe-eo in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is the maintenance fee included in the monthly rent? -
Expression: 월세 협상이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: wol-se hyeop-sang-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the monthly rent negotiable? -
Expression: 월세가 조금 비싼 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: wol-se-ga jo-geum bi-ssan geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think the monthly rent is a bit expensive. -
Expression: 보증금을 낮추고 월세를 올릴 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: bo-jeung-geum-eul nat-chu-go wol-se-reul ol-lil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I lower the deposit and raise the monthly rent? -
Expression: 월세 영수증 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: wol-se yeong-su-jeung ba-deul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a receipt for the monthly rent payment? -
Expression: 월세 연체 시 위약금이 있나요?
Pronunciation: wol-se yeon-che si wi-yak-geum-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a penalty fee for late rent payment? -
Expression: 월세 계약을 연장하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: wol-se gye-ya-geul yeon-jang-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to extend the monthly rental contract. -
Expression: 다음 달 월세는 언제까지 내야 해요?
Pronunciation: da-eum dal wol-se-neun eon-je-kka-ji nae-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: By when do I need to pay next month’s rent? -
Expression: 월세 납부 방법을 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: wol-se nap-bu bang-beo-beul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me how to pay the monthly rent.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the Korean rental system involves more than just vocabulary. The concept of 월세 (wolse) often goes hand-in-hand with 보증금 (bojeunggeum), the security deposit. Unlike many Western countries where deposits are relatively small, Korean 보증금 can be substantial, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars, even for monthly rentals.
The ratio between 보증금 and 월세 can sometimes be negotiated. A higher deposit might lead to lower monthly rent, and vice versa. This flexibility is a unique aspect of the Korean rental market. Always clarify this possibility with the landlord or real estate agent.
Another common rental type is 전세 (jeonse), where a tenant pays a very large lump-sum deposit (often a significant percentage of the property’s value) and pays no monthly rent. The landlord earns interest on the deposit. While 월세 is becoming more common, especially for foreigners and younger Koreans, 전세 is still a major part of the housing market.
Always ensure you receive a formal 계약서 (gyeyakseo – contract) clearly stating the 월세 amount, payment date, 보증금 amount, contract period, and details about 관리비 (maintenance fees) and utilities. Read it carefully or have a Korean speaker review it before signing.
Rent is typically paid via bank transfer (계좌 이체 – gyejwa iche) directly to the landlord’s account on a specific day each month. Keep records of your payments, and don’t hesitate to ask for a 영수증 (yeongsujeung – receipt), although digital bank records usually suffice.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A prospective tenant (A) is visiting a real estate agency (부동산) to inquire about monthly rental apartments.
Roles:
A: Prospective Tenant (세입자 희망자 – se-ip-ja hui-mang-ja)
B: Real Estate Agent (부동산 중개인 – bu-dong-san jung-gae-in)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 월세방을 좀 보려고 왔는데요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, wol-se-bang-eul jom bo-ryeo-go wan-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I came here to look at some places for monthly rent. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어떤 집을 찾으세요? 예산은 어느 정도로 생각하세요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteon ji-beul cha-jeu-se-yo? ye-san-eun eo-neu jeong-do-ro saeng-ga-ka-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes, welcome. What kind of place are you looking for? What is your budget? -
Expression: A: 보증금은 1000만원 정도 생각하고, 월세는 70만원 이하로 찾고 있어요. 원룸이나 오피스텔이면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: bo-jeung-geum-eun cheon-man-won jeong-do saeng-ga-ka-go, wol-se-neun chil-sim-man-won i-ha-ro chat-go i-sseo-yo. won-rum-i-na o-pi-seu-te-ri-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m thinking around 10 million won for the deposit, and I’m looking for monthly rent under 700,000 won. A studio or officetel would be good. -
Expression: B: 네, 마침 괜찮은 오피스텔이 하나 나왔어요. 보증금 1000만원에 월세 65만원이고, 관리비는 별도예요.
Pronunciation: ne, ma-chim gwaen-cha-neun o-pi-seu-te-ri ha-na na-wa-sseo-yo. bo-jeung-geum cheon-man-won-e wol-se yuk-sim-o-man-won-i-go, gwan-ri-bi-neun byeol-tto-ye-yo.
Meaning: Yes, actually a decent officetel just became available. It’s 10 million won deposit and 650,000 won monthly rent, and the maintenance fee is separate. -
Expression: A: 관리비는 얼마인가요? 그리고 월세는 언제 내는 건가요?
Pronunciation: gwan-ri-bi-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo? geu-ri-go wol-se-neun eon-je nae-neun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the maintenance fee? And when is the monthly rent due? -
Expression: B: 관리비는 보통 10만원 정도 나오고, 월세는 매달 말일에 집주인 계좌로 보내시면 됩니다. 계약서에 다 명시되어 있어요.
Pronunciation: gwan-ri-bi-neun bo-tong sim-man-won jeong-do na-o-go, wol-se-neun mae-dal ma-ril-e jip-ju-in gye-jwa-ro bo-nae-si-myeon doem-ni-da. gye-yak-seo-e da myeong-si-doe-eo i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The maintenance fee is usually around 100,000 won, and you just need to send the monthly rent to the landlord’s account at the end of each month. It’s all specified in the contract. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 집을 한번 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. ji-beul han-beon bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: Okay, I understand. I’d like to see the place.
Practice Tips
Familiarizing yourself with terms like 월세 and 보증금 is the first step! Try using the phrases in mock situations. Practice asking about rent, deposit, and fees. You can role-play with a friend or language partner, pretending one is the tenant and the other is the real estate agent or landlord~!
Listen to how Koreans discuss housing online or in dramas, paying attention to these specific terms. The more you expose yourself to real-life usage, the more natural these expressions will become. Don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions when dealing with actual contracts or agents in Korea. Good luck finding your perfect place!
