Korean Dictionary
How to say "Apartment building" in Korean
“Apartment building” in Korean is 아파트 (pronounced "Apateu").
아파트
Apateu
Usage & Context
Residential building with multiple units. Dominant housing type in Korea.
Example Sentence
한국의 아파트는 매우 현대적이에요.
Korean apartments are very modern.
How to use 아파트 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Apartment building” is 아파트, romanized as Apateu.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 아파트.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'ah-pa-teu' — 'ah' like the doctor sound, 'pa' like 'pah', and 'teu' like a soft 'tuh'. Three short syllables from the English 'apart(ment)'.
More Example Sentences
Complaining about Seoul's housing market
아파트 가격이 너무 올랐어요.
Apartment prices have risen too much.
Telling a new coworker where you live
저는 15층 아파트에 살아요.
I live on the 15th floor of an apartment.
Messaging family about a big life change
새 아파트 단지에 이사 갔어요.
We moved to a new apartment complex.
Cultural Context
In Korea, '아파트' refers to an entire large residential complex of multiple high-rise buildings — not a single unit, as 'apartment' means in American English. A Korean 아파트 단지 (complex) often has 1,000+ units, its own playground, parking garage, and brand name like '래미안', '푸르지오', or '자이'. Over 60% of Koreans live in 아파트, and the type/brand of one's 아파트 is a major social and financial marker, especially in Seoul's Gangnam district.
Editorial note
We review entries like 아파트 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
아파트에 살아요.
I live in an apartment.
아파트 평수가 얼마예요?
How many square meters is the apartment?
아파트 관리비가 비싸요.
The apartment maintenance fees are expensive.
Related Expressions
단지
danji
complex / apartment compound
오피스텔
opiseutel
officetel (studio/1BR)
빌라
billa
villa (low-rise apartment)
전세
jeonse
Korean lump-sum lease system
More Architecture Words
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