Essential words you’ll see in contracts, listings, and during your housing process in Korea.
| Korean | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 전세 (Jeonse) | Key Money Lease | Large deposit, no rent. Full refund after lease. |
| 월세 (Wolse) | Monthly Rent | Smaller deposit + monthly rent. |
| 계약금 (Gyeyak-geum) | Down Payment | Paid when signing the contract (usually 10%). |
| 중도금 (Jungdogeum) | Middle Payment | Midway payment (used more in sales than rental). |
| 잔금 (Jang-geum) | Final Payment | Paid before moving in. |
| 계약기간 (Gyeyak-gi-gan) | Lease Term | Usually 2 years. |
| 재계약 (Jae-gyeyak) | Contract Renewal | Extending your lease. |
| 확정일자 (Hwakseong-ilja) | Lease Date Stamp | Protects your deposit legally (get it from district office). |
| 전입신고 (Jeonip-shingo) | Move-in Report | Required address registration at local office. |
| Korean | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 등기부등본 (Deung-gi-bu Deung-bon) | Property Title Document | Shows who owns the property & if there’s debt on it. |
| 임대차계약서 (Imdaecha Gyeyakseo) | Lease Agreement | The rental contract. |
| 공인중개사 (Gongin-junggaesa) | Licensed Realtor | Certified agent under Korean law. |
| 중개보수 (Junggae-bosu) | Agent Fee | Usually 0.3%–0.9% of total deposit + rent. |
| 확약서 (Hwakyakseo) | Letter of Assurance | Additional written promise from landlord. |
| Korean | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 관리비 (Gwanribi) | Maintenance Fee | Monthly cost for utilities, building services, etc. |
| 보일러 (Boiler) | Floor Heating | Most Korean homes use underfloor heating. |
| 수도세 (Sudose) | Water Fee | Usually paid monthly or included in maintenance fee. |
| 전기세 (Jeongise) | Electricity Bill | Monthly based on usage. |
| 가스비 (Gaseubi) | Gas Bill | Often used for heating and cooking. |
| Korean | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 원룸 (One-room) | Studio | Small space with kitchen, bath, and bedroom in one. |
| 오피스텔 (Officetel) | Studio Office | Mixed-use housing, often newer and well-equipped. |
| 아파트 (Apateu) | Apartment | Multi-unit buildings, usually for families. |
| 빌라 (Villa) | Low-rise Apartment | Small building with 3–5 floors. Often cheaper. |
| 고시원 (Goshiwon) | Mini Room | Very small room with shared facilities. |
🧾 Want a downloadable version of this glossary? I’m preparing a PDF version soon — stay tuned!