Navigating the Korean real estate market involves understanding unique systems like Jeonse and Wolse, along with specific terminology. This guide provides essential Korean words and phrases to help you comprehend and discuss real estate in Korea, whether you’re looking to rent, buy, or simply understand market trends.
Table Of Content
Core Terminology
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Expression: 부동산 시장
Pronunciation: bu-dong-san si-jang
Meaning: Real estate market -
Expression: 부동산
Pronunciation: bu-dong-san
Meaning: Real estate; immovable property
Basic Real Estate Terms
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Expression: 집
Pronunciation: jip
Meaning: House; home -
Expression: 아파트
Pronunciation: a-pa-teu
Meaning: Apartment (typically in a large complex) -
Expression: 빌라
Pronunciation: bil-la
Meaning: Villa (often refers to smaller, low-rise apartment buildings) -
Expression: 원룸
Pronunciation: won-rum
Meaning: Studio apartment (one room) -
Expression: 오피스텔
Pronunciation: o-pi-seu-tel
Meaning: Officetel (studio apartment often used for both residential and office purposes) -
Expression: 매매
Pronunciation: mae-mae
Meaning: Sale; purchase -
Expression: 임대
Pronunciation: im-dae
Meaning: Lease; rent -
Expression: 계약
Pronunciation: gye-yak
Meaning: Contract -
Expression: 부동산 중개인
Pronunciation: bu-dong-san jung-gae-in
Meaning: Real estate agent -
Expression: 부동산 중개소
Pronunciation: bu-dong-san jung-gae-so
Meaning: Real estate agency -
Expression: 집주인
Pronunciation: jip-ju-in
Meaning: Landlord; homeowner -
Expression: 세입자
Pronunciation: se-ip-ja
Meaning: Tenant
Understanding Jeonse and Wolse
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Expression: 전세
Pronunciation: jeon-se
Meaning: Jeonse (a rental system involving a large lump-sum deposit instead of monthly rent) -
Expression: 월세
Pronunciation: wol-se
Meaning: Wolse (a rental system involving a smaller deposit and monthly rent payments) -
Expression: 보증금
Pronunciation: bo-jeung-geum
Meaning: Security deposit (used in both Jeonse and Wolse) -
Expression: 전세금
Pronunciation: jeon-se-geum
Meaning: Jeonse deposit amount -
Expression: 월세 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: wol-se eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the monthly rent? -
Expression: 보증금은 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: bo-jeung-geum-eun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the deposit? -
Expression: 계약 기간은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gye-yak gi-gan-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the contract period? -
Expression: 관리비는 포함인가요?
Pronunciation: gwan-ri-bi-neun po-ham-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the maintenance fee included? -
Expression: 관리비는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: gwan-ri-bi-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the maintenance fee? -
Expression: 전세 대출 가능해요?
Pronunciation: jeon-se dae-chul ga-neung-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is a Jeonse loan possible?
Key Phrases for Buying/Selling
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Expression: 이 집 매매 가격이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i jip mae-mae ga-gyeok-i eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the selling price of this house? -
Expression: 시세가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: si-se-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the market price? -
Expression: 가격 협상 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok hyeop-sang ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is the price negotiable? -
Expression: 대출을 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: dae-chul-eul bad-eul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a loan? -
Expression: 주택담보대출 알아보고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ju-taek-dam-bo-dae-chul ar-a-bo-go is-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking into a mortgage loan. -
Expression: 계약하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: gye-yak-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to sign the contract. -
Expression: 계약금은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: gye-yak-geum-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the down payment? -
Expression: 잔금은 언제 치러야 하나요?
Pronunciation: jan-geum-eun eon-je chi-reo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: When is the remaining balance due? -
Expression: 등기부등본을 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: deung-gi-bu-deung-bon-eul bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show me the certified copy of the property register. -
Expression: 집을 팔고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jib-eul pal-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to sell my house. -
Expression: 중개수수료는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: jung-gae-su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the agent commission fee?
Asking Questions at the Agency
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Expression: 괜찮은 매물 있나요?
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-eun mae-mul it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any good properties available? -
Expression: 월세로 집을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: wol-se-ro jib-eul chat-go is-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a place for monthly rent (Wolse). -
Expression: 전세로 집을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeon-se-ro jib-eul chat-go is-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a place for Jeonse. -
Expression: 이 지역 시세는 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeok si-se-neun eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the market prices like in this area? -
Expression: 집을 직접 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jib-eul jik-jeop bol su is-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I see the property in person? -
Expression: 주변 환경은 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: ju-byeon hwan-gyeong-eun eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the surrounding environment like? -
Expression: 교통은 편리한가요?
Pronunciation: gyo-tong-eun pyeol-li-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is transportation convenient? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 지하철역이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un ji-ha-cheol-yeok-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest subway station? -
Expression: 이 집의 장단점은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i jib-ui jang-dan-jeom-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the pros and cons of this house? -
Expression: 언제 입주 가능해요?
Pronunciation: eon-je ip-ju ga-neung-hae-yo?
Meaning: When can I move in?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the Korean real estate market goes beyond just language. The 전세 (jeon-se) system is a unique aspect where tenants pay a large lump-sum deposit returned at the end of the lease, instead of monthly rent. This significantly impacts housing finance and market dynamics.
Location is paramount, especially proximity to public transport. Properties near subway stations, known as 역세권 (yeok-se-kwon), are highly valued and often command premium prices.
Apartments (아파트) are the most common form of housing, especially in urban areas. Large apartment complexes often come with their own amenities and strong communities.
Real estate agents (부동산 중개인) play a crucial role. They handle most transactions, and building a good relationship with an agent in your desired area can be very beneficial. Their fees (중개수수료) are typically regulated by law.
The market can move quickly, and desirable properties might get leased or sold rapidly. Being prepared with your requirements and finances is important when actively searching.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A potential tenant (A) visits a real estate agency (부동산 중개소) to inquire about renting an apartment.
Characters:
A: Potential Tenant (세입자 희망자)
B: Real Estate Agent (부동산 중개인)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 이 근처에 월세 아파트 좀 알아보려고 왔어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, i geun-cheo-e wol-se a-pa-teu jom ar-a-bo-ryeo-go was-seo-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I came here to look for an apartment for monthly rent (Wolse) around this area. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어떤 조건의 집을 찾으세요? 예를 들어 방 개수나 예산 같은 거요.
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteon jo-geon-ui jib-eul cha-jeu-se-yo? ye-reul deul-eo bang gae-su-na ye-san gat-eun geo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, welcome. What kind of place are you looking for? For example, the number of rooms or your budget? -
Expression: A: 방 두 개짜리 아파트면 좋겠고요, 보증금은 3천만 원 이하, 월세는 100만 원 정도 생각하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: bang du gae-jja-ri a-pa-teu-myeon jo-ket-go-yo, bo-jeung-geum-eun sam-cheon-man won i-ha, wol-se-neun baek-man won jeong-do saeng-gak-ha-go is-seo-yo.
Meaning: A two-bedroom apartment would be good, with a deposit under 30 million won and monthly rent around 1 million won. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 마침 괜찮은 매물이 하나 나왔는데, 한번 보시겠어요? 지하철역에서도 가까워요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. ma-chim gwaen-chan-eun mae-mul-i ha-na na-wan-neun-de, han-beon bo-si-get-seo-yo? ji-ha-cheol-yeok-e-seo-do ga-kka-wo-yo.
Meaning: Okay, I understand. Actually, a good property just became available, would you like to see it? It’s close to the subway station too. -
Expression: A: 네, 좋아요! 지금 바로 볼 수 있나요? 관리비는 별도인가요?
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo! ji-geum ba-ro bol su it-na-yo? gwan-ri-bi-neun byeol-tto-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, great! Can we see it right now? Is the maintenance fee separate? -
Expression: B: 네, 지금 가실 수 있어요. 관리비는 월 10만 원 정도 별도로 있습니다. 같이 가보시죠.
Pronunciation: ne, ji-geum ga-sil su is-seo-yo. gwan-ri-bi-neun wol sip-man won jeong-do byeol-tto-ro it-seum-ni-da. ga-chi ga-bo-si-jyo.
Meaning: Yes, we can go now. The maintenance fee is about 100,000 won per month, separately. Let’s go take a look together.
Practice Tips
Understanding the Korean real estate market takes practice! Try browsing popular Korean real estate apps or websites like 직방 (Jikbang) or 다방 (Dabang) to see real listings and prices~ You’ll get familiar with the terms and typical conditions quickly!
Watch Korean dramas or movies that feature characters looking for housing. Pay attention to the conversations they have with agents or landlords. It’s a fun way to learn practical phrases!
Practice the phrases in this guide by role-playing scenarios with a language partner or tutor. Imagine you are looking for a 전세 apartment or negotiating a 월세 contract. Good luck with your Korean studies and perhaps your future house hunting in Korea!
