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아파트
aparteuLoanword from English apartment
apartment building
저는 서울에 있는 아파트에서 살아요.
I live in an apartment building in Seoul.
general
A multi-story residential building with individual units for living, typically owned or rented by residents.
새 아파트는 편의시설이 잘 되어 있어요.
The new apartment building has excellent amenities.
In Korean, '아파트' refers specifically to high-rise residential buildings, often with shared facilities like gyms or pools. The term is distinct from '빌라' (villa) or '오피스텔' (officetel).
Pro Tip
Loanword Usage
'아파트' is a loanword from English but is fully integrated into Korean. It is always used as a noun and is never conjugated.
Word Origin
Borrowed from English 'apartment,' referring to a self-contained housing unit within a larger building. The term became widely used in Korea during rapid urbanization in the late 20th century.
Usage Notes
'아파트' is the most common term for high-rise residential buildings in urban areas. In rural or suburban contexts, '빌라' (villa) or '연립주택' (row house) may be used instead.
Word Breakdown
아파트
apartment building
loanword한영사전