Living in a Korean apartment often involves monthly management fees, known as 관리비 (gwal-li-bi). This guide explains the common components of these fees and provides essential Korean phrases to help you understand your bill and communicate with the management office (관리사무소 – gwal-li-sa-mu-so).
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 관리비
Pronunciation: gwal-li-bi
Meaning: Management fee (The general term for the monthly fees associated with apartment living)
Basic Terminology
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Expression: 공동 관리비
Pronunciation: gong-dong gwal-li-bi
Meaning: Common management fee (Covers shared facilities and services) -
Expression: 일반 관리비
Pronunciation: il-ban gwal-li-bi
Meaning: General management fee (Often includes staff salaries, office expenses) -
Expression: 청소비
Pronunciation: cheong-so-bi
Meaning: Cleaning fee (For common areas) -
Expression: 경비비
Pronunciation: gyeong-bi-bi
Meaning: Security fee -
Expression: 승강기 유지비
Pronunciation: seung-gang-gi yu-ji-bi
Meaning: Elevator maintenance fee -
Expression: 소독비
Pronunciation: so-dok-bi
Meaning: Disinfection fee -
Expression: 개별 사용료
Pronunciation: gae-byeol sa-yong-ryo
Meaning: Individual usage fees (Utilities consumed by your household) -
Expression: 전기료
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-ryo
Meaning: Electricity bill -
Expression: 수도료
Pronunciation: su-do-ryo
Meaning: Water bill -
Expression: 난방비
Pronunciation: nan-bang-bi
Meaning: Heating bill -
Expression: 급탕비
Pronunciation: geup-tang-bi
Meaning: Hot water fee -
Expression: 관리사무소
Pronunciation: gwal-li-sa-mu-so
Meaning: Management office -
Expression: 관리비 고지서
Pronunciation: gwal-li-bi go-ji-seo
Meaning: Management fee bill/statement
Asking About Fees
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Expression: 이번 달 관리비가 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-beon dal gwal-li-bi-ga eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this month’s management fee? -
Expression: 관리비는 언제 내야 해요?
Pronunciation: gwal-li-bi-neun eon-je nae-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: When do I have to pay the management fee? -
Expression: 납부 기한이 언제까지예요?
Pronunciation: nap-bu gi-han-i eon-je-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: Until when is the payment deadline? -
Expression: 관리비에 뭐가 포함되어 있어요?
Pronunciation: gwal-li-bi-e mwo-ga po-ham-dwae-eo iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: What is included in the management fee? -
Expression: 전기료도 관리비에 포함되나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-ryo-do gwal-li-bi-e po-ham-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is the electricity bill also included in the management fee? -
Expression: 관리비 고지서 좀 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: gwal-li-bi go-ji-seo jom bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show me the management fee bill. -
Expression: 관리비는 어떻게 내나요?
Pronunciation: gwal-li-bi-neun eo-tteo-ke nae-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I pay the management fee? -
Expression: 자동이체 신청할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: ja-dong-i-che sin-cheong-hal su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can I apply for automatic transfer? -
Expression: 지난달 관리비는 얼마였어요?
Pronunciation: ji-nan-dal gwal-li-bi-neun eol-ma-yeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: How much was last month’s management fee? -
Expression: 평균 관리비는 얼마 정도예요?
Pronunciation: pyeong-gyun gwal-li-bi-neun eol-ma jeong-do-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the average management fee approximately? -
Expression: 관리비 문의는 어디에 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: gwal-li-bi mun-ui-neun eo-di-e hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Where should I inquire about the management fee?
Discussing Fee Details
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Expression: 관리비 상세 내역을 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gwal-li-bi sang-se nae-yeog-eul bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I see the detailed breakdown of the management fee? -
Expression: 이 항목은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i hang-mog-eun mu-eos-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is this item/charge? -
Expression: 지난달보다 관리비가 많이 나왔어요.
Pronunciation: ji-nan-dal-bo-da gwal-li-bi-ga man-i na-wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: The management fee is much higher than last month. -
Expression: 왜 이렇게 많이 나왔는지 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: wae i-reo-ke man-i na-wass-neun-ji seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you explain why it came out so high? -
Expression: 수도 사용량이 맞는지 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: su-do sa-yong-ryang-i maj-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check if the water usage amount is correct. -
Expression: 난방비가 너무 많이 나온 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: nan-bang-bi-ga neo-mu man-i na-on geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think the heating bill came out too high. -
Expression: 관리비 납부 영수증을 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gwal-li-bi nap-bu yeong-su-jeung-eul bad-eul su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a receipt for the management fee payment? -
Expression: 관리비가 연체되면 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gwal-li-bi-ga yeon-che-doe-myeon eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What happens if the management fee payment is overdue? -
Expression: 연체료가 부과되나요?
Pronunciation: yeon-che-ryo-ga bu-gwa-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a late fee charged? -
Expression: 이사 갈 때 관리비 정산은 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: i-sa gal ttae gwal-li-bi jeong-san-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How are the management fees settled when moving out? -
Expression: 혹시 잘못 청구된 부분이 있는지 확인 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: hok-si jal-mot cheong-gu-doen bu-bun-i iss-neun-ji hwa-gin bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: Please check if there are any parts that were incorrectly charged.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding Korean apartment management fees involves knowing a few cultural points. Firstly, the 관리비 (gwal-li-bi) typically includes charges for maintaining common areas (hallways, elevators, landscaping), security services, cleaning, and sometimes shared utilities like heating for common spaces. Individual utility usage (electricity, water, gas, individual heating) is often billed separately but might be consolidated onto the same statement depending on the apartment complex.
Payment is usually due monthly, and the bill (고지서 – go-ji-seo) is often delivered to your mailbox or posted online. Many Koreans prefer setting up automatic bank transfers (자동이체 – ja-dong-i-che) for convenience. Missing payments can result in late fees (연체료 – yeon-che-ryo).
The specific items included in the ‘common management fee’ (공동 관리비 – gong-dong gwal-li-bi) can vary slightly between apartment complexes. Larger or newer complexes might have additional fees for amenities like gyms or community centers.
If you have questions or disputes about your bill, the first point of contact is the building’s management office (관리사무소 – gwal-li-sa-mu-so). They can provide detailed breakdowns and explanations of the charges.
When moving out, it’s crucial to settle the final management fee bill, which often includes prorated charges up to your move-out date. This process is called 관리비 정산 (gwal-li-bi jeong-san).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A resident (A) visits the management office to inquire about their monthly management fee bill with a staff member (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 이번 달 관리비 고지서 때문에 왔는데요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. i-beon dal gwal-li-bi go-ji-seo ttae-mun-e wass-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. I came because of this month’s management fee bill. -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 어떤 점이 궁금하신가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. eo-tteon jeom-i gung-geum-ha-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, hello. What are you curious about? -
Expression: A: 지난달보다 관리비가 좀 많이 나온 것 같아서요. 상세 내역 좀 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: A: ji-nan-dal-bo-da gwal-li-bi-ga jom man-i na-on geot gat-a-seo-yo. sang-se nae-yeok jom bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: It seems the fee is a bit higher than last month. Could I see the detailed breakdown? -
Expression: B: 네, 잠시만요. (서류를 확인하며) 아, 이번 달에는 공동 전기료랑 난방비가 좀 올랐네요. 특히 난방 사용량이 많으셨어요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jam-si-man-yo. (seo-ryu-reul hwa-gin-ha-myeo) a, i-beon dal-e-neun gong-dong jeon-gi-ryo-rang nan-bang-bi-ga jom ol-lass-ne-yo. teuk-hi nan-bang sa-yong-ryang-i man-eu-syeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, just a moment. (Checking documents) Ah, this month the common electricity fee and heating fee increased a bit. Your heating usage, in particular, was high. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요. 난방을 좀 많이 틀긴 했어요. 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: A: a, geu-reo-kun-yo. nan-bang-eul jom man-i teul-gin haess-eo-yo. al-gess-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Ah, I see. I did use the heating quite a lot. I understand. Thank you. -
Expression: B: 네, 더 궁금하신 점 있으시면 언제든지 문의해 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, deo gung-geum-ha-sin jeom iss-eu-si-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mun-ui-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask anytime.
Practice Tips
Getting familiar with Korean apartment management fees takes a little practice! Try reviewing your own 관리비 고지서 (gwal-li-bi go-ji-seo) each month. Identify the different items like 일반 관리비 (il-ban gwal-li-bi), 청소비 (cheong-so-bi), and your individual utility usage like 전기료 (jeon-gi-ryo) and 수도료 (su-do-ryo)~
Don’t hesitate to visit the 관리사무소 (gwal-li-sa-mu-so) if you have questions. You can practice phrases like “이 항목은 무엇인가요?” (i hang-mog-eun mu-eos-in-ga-yo?) or “상세 내역을 볼 수 있을까요?” (sang-se nae-yeog-eul bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?). It’s a great real-life opportunity to use your Korean! Comparing your bill with previous months can also help you understand usage patterns. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
