Level 2 · Basic Conversation
Learn to talk about your home in Korean -- rooms, furniture, appliances, and everyday living. Master location expressions with -에 있다/없다, describe ongoing actions with -고 있다, and explore Korea's unique housing culture from 원룸 studios to the 전세 deposit system.
13 words · tap 🔊 to hear native-speaker pronunciation
Home is where the heart is -- and in Korea, it's also where the heated floors are! Whether you live in a cozy 원룸 (one-room studio) or a high-rise 아파트 (apartment), being able to describe your living space is essential. In this unit, you'll learn 13 words for rooms, furniture, and housing, two grammar patterns for saying where things are and what you're doing right now, and a deep dive into Korean housing culture. 집에 가고 싶어요? (Want to go home?) Let's get started!
house / home
우리 집은 학교 근처에 있어요.Our house is near the school.
💡 Memory tip: 집 sounds like "jeep" -- imagine driving your jeep home. It means both the physical house and the concept of home.
Pronunciation: Pronounced [집]. The final ㅂ is unreleased -- your lips close but don't pop open.
room
제 방이 좀 작아요.My room is a bit small.
💡 Memory tip: A door closes with a "bang!" -- and you're in your 방 (room). Also used in compounds: 노래방 (karaoke room), PC방 (internet cafe).
Pronunciation: Pronounced [방]. The ㅇ final gives it a nasal "-ang" ending.
living room
거실에서 TV를 봐요.I watch TV in the living room.
💡 Memory tip: 거 (dwelling/living) + 실 (room) = the room for living. The main gathering space in a Korean home.
Pronunciation: Pronounced [거실]. The ㄹ final is a light lateral sound, tongue touching the roof of the mouth.
kitchen
부엌에서 요리하고 있어요.I'm cooking in the kitchen.
💡 Memory tip: Think "boo-oak" -- imagine a spooky oak tree growing in the kitchen! Korean kitchens are the heart of meal prep.
Pronunciation: Pronounced [부억]. The final ㅋ is unreleased. Before a vowel particle: 부엌에 → [부어케].
bathroom / restroom
화장실이 어디에 있어요?Where is the bathroom?
💡 Memory tip: 화장 (makeup) + 실 (room) = the "makeup room." One of the most useful words to know when traveling!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [화장실]. Three syllables with clear transitions. The ㅈ in 장 is a plain "j" sound.
bed
침대에서 책을 읽어요.I read a book in bed.
💡 Memory tip: 침 (sleep/rest) + 대 (platform/stand) = a sleeping platform. Traditionally Koreans slept on floor mats (이불), but beds are now common.
Pronunciation: Pronounced [침대]. The ㅊ is aspirated -- a strong "ch" with a puff of air.
sofa / couch
소파에 앉아서 쉬세요.Sit on the sofa and rest.
💡 Memory tip: A direct loanword from English "sofa" -- easy to remember! Koreanized pronunciation: 소파.
Pronunciation: Loanword from English. Pronounced [소파] with a clear ㅍ (aspirated p). Stress is even across both syllables.
refrigerator
냉장고에 물이 있어요.There's water in the refrigerator.
💡 Memory tip: 냉 (cold) + 장 (storage) + 고 (warehouse) = cold storage warehouse. A perfectly descriptive compound!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [냉장꼬]. The ㄱ after ㅇ batchim becomes tense [ㄲ]. Three syllables: naeng-jang-go.
to move (house)
다음 달에 이사해요.I'm moving next month.
💡 Memory tip: 이사 (moving/relocation) + 하다 (to do). Moving in Korea is a major event, often involving 이사 떡 (rice cakes shared with new neighbors).
Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [이사하다]. All four syllables are clearly separated. Polite form: 이사해요.
to live
서울에서 살아요.I live in Seoul.
💡 Memory tip: Think "salad" -- you eat salad to live a healthy life! 살다 covers both "to live" and "to reside."
Pronunciation: ㄹ irregular verb. Pronounced [살다]. Before consonants the ㄹ is clear, but before ㄴ/ㅂ/ㅅ endings, ㄹ follows special rules: 삽니다 (formal), 사세요 (honorific).
to clean
주말에 집을 청소해요.I clean the house on weekends.
💡 Memory tip: 청소 (cleaning) + 하다 (to do). 청 means "clean/clear" and 소 means "sweep" -- sweep it clean!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [청소하다]. The ㅎ in 하 is lightly aspirated. Polite form: 청소해요.
apartment
우리 아파트는 15층이에요.Our apartment is on the 15th floor.
💡 Memory tip: From English "apartment" -- shortened and Koreanized. Over 60% of Koreans live in 아파트 complexes!
Pronunciation: Loanword from English "apartment." Pronounced [아파트]. The final ㅡ vowel is very short and light.
monthly rent
월세가 50만 원이에요.The monthly rent is 500,000 won.
💡 Memory tip: 월 (month) + 세 (tax/rent) = monthly rent. The counterpart is 전세 (jeonse), a large lump-sum deposit system unique to Korea.
Pronunciation: Pronounced [월쎄]. The ㄹ batchim before ㅅ causes tensification: ㅅ becomes [ㅆ].
Korean housing is unlike anything in the West, shaped by history, geography, and rapid modernization. Here's what makes it unique.
-- 아파트 (Apartment) culture: Over 60% of South Koreans live in apartment complexes (아파트 단지). These aren't just buildings -- they're self-contained communities with playgrounds, convenience stores, gyms, and even private academies. Apartment brand names like 래미안, 자이, 힐스테이트 carry social status. Asking "어디 아파트에 살아요?" (Which apartment complex do you live in?) is common.
-- 전세 (Jeonse): Korea's unique deposit-based rental system. Instead of paying monthly rent, tenants give the landlord a massive lump-sum deposit (often 50-80% of the home's value). The landlord invests this money and returns the full deposit when the tenant leaves. No monthly payments! This system is declining but still widespread.
-- 월세 (Wolse): Monthly rent, which is becoming more common, especially for younger renters. Usually requires a smaller deposit (보증금, bojeonggeum) plus monthly payments. A listing might say "보증금 500/월세 50" meaning 5 million won deposit + 500,000 won monthly rent.
-- 원룸 (One-room): Studio apartments popular with students and young professionals. Everything in one room -- bed, desk, mini kitchen. Korean 원룸 buildings often have keypads instead of physical keys and shared laundry on the rooftop.
-- 온돌 (Ondol): Korea's traditional radiant floor heating system, dating back over 2,000 years. Hot water or heated air flows under the floor, warming the entire room from below. This is why Koreans sit, eat, and sleep on the floor comfortably -- and why you ALWAYS take your shoes off at the door. Even modern apartments have 온돌.
-- 신발을 벗다 (Taking shoes off): Removing shoes at the entrance (현관, hyeongwan) is non-negotiable in Korean homes. There's usually a small step up from the entryway to the living area, marking the boundary. Slippers are often provided for guests.
-- 이사 떡 (Moving rice cakes): When you move into a new home, it's tradition to share 떡 (rice cakes) with your new neighbors. This practice is fading in large apartment complexes but remains a warm gesture that builds 정 (emotional bonds) with your community.
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