In the bustling world of Korean real estate, knowing the right vocabulary is key to understanding and conversing about property. Whether you’re renting a tiny studio in Seoul or purchasing a holiday home in Jeju, here are some essential terms to help you navigate the Korean real estate market.

부동산 (Budongsan): Real estate. This term refers to any property consisting of land and the buildings on it.
제가 부동산 투자를 고려하고 있는데 좋은 지역 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
(Could you recommend a good area for real estate investment?)

전세 (Jeonse): A lump-sum deposit rental system unique to Korea where you deposit a large sum of money instead of paying monthly rent. You get the full deposit back when you move out.
전세로 집을 구할 때는 보증금을 많이 준비해야 해요.
(When looking for a jeonse home, you need to prepare a large security deposit.)

월세 (Wolse): Monthly rent. Unlike Jeonse, Wolse involves paying rent on a monthly basis along with a smaller deposit.
서울에서 월세로 좋은 아파트를 찾기가 쉽지 않아요.
(It’s not easy to find a good apartment for monthly rent in Seoul.)

매매 (Maemae): The act of buying or selling. In real estate, it refers to the purchasing or disposal of property.
이 아파트는 매매 가격이 얼마인가요?
(What is the selling price of this apartment?)

집주인 (Jibjuin): Landlord or property owner.
집주인과 바로 계약할 수 있을까요?
(Can I contract directly with the landlord?)

중개인 (Junggaein): Broker or real estate agent. The person who assists buyers and renters in finding a property and negotiating terms.
좋은 중개인을 만나면 부동산 거래가 훨씬 수월해집니다.
(Meeting a good broker can make real estate transactions much smoother.)

보증금 (Bojeunggeum): Security deposit. Money provided as a guarantee for rent or damage, which is usually returned at the end of the lease unless there are damages or unpaid rent.
이 집의 보증금은 얼마나 되나요?
(How much is the security deposit for this house?)

권리금 (Gwonrigum): Goodwill payment or premium paid for transferring the lease of a property, often applicable in busy commercial areas.
이 가게를 인수하려면 권리금이 얼마 필요한가요?
(How much is the goodwill payment needed to take over this shop?)

시세 (Sise): Market price. The current selling or renting price of properties in the market.
지금 강남 지역의 아파트 시세가 어떻게 되나요?
(What’s the current market price for apartments in the Gangnam area?)

공시지가 (Gongsijiga): Officially assessed land value, which is used for tax purposes.
공시지가는 주택 가격에 어떤 영향을 미치나요?
(How does the officially assessed land value affect housing prices?)

건축허가 (Geonchukheoga): Building permit. The authorization required before commencing any construction.
건축허가를 받기 위해서는 어떤 서류가 필요한가요?
(What documents are needed to obtain a building permit?)

입주 (Ipju): Moving in. Refers to the act of moving into a property.
다음 달에 새 아파트로 입주 예정입니다.
(I am scheduled to move into the new apartment next month.)

Understanding these terms can help you communicate more effectively with landlords, agents, and other parties in the Korean real estate market. Whether you are dealing with renting or buying properties, a solid grasp of these terms will prove invaluable as you navigate your real estate journey in Korea.