아파트
aparteuA 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.