MUST-KNOW EXPRESSIONS WHEN RENTING AN APARTMENT IN CHINA
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Are you planning to find a house or apartment? With some useful expressions in Mandarin Chinese, your task will become easier.
From personal experience, I can say that looking for a flat in China is not exceedingly difficult, and compared to many countries around the world you can find genuinely nice places for much lower prices.
In this post I will write some expressions in Mandarin Chinese you will need if you want to find accommodation.
Words to rent a house in Mandarin Chinese
Rent a house: zū fáng (租房)
Rent (the actual money): zū jīn (租金)
Elevator: diàn tī (电梯)
Square meter: píng fāng mǐ (平方米)
Water and electricity bill: shuǐ diàn fèi (水电费)
Gas bill: méiqì fèi (煤气费)
To View an Apartment: kàn fáng (看房)
Deposit: yā jīn (押金)
Real estate agency: zū fáng zhōng jiè gōng sī (租房中介公司)
Real Estate Agency: zū fáng zhōng jiè gōng sī (租房中介公司)
Pay the rent every three months: fù sān yā yī (付三押一)
Intermediary fee (the real estate agency fee): zhōng jiè fèi (中介费)
Bedroom: wòshì (卧室)
Dining room: cān tīng (餐厅)
Living room: kè tīng (客厅)
Bathroom: wèishēngjiān (卫生间)
Studying room: shū fáng (书房)
Kitchen: chúfáng (厨房)
Dealing with a real estate agent in Chinese
Hello, I want to rent a house “nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng zū fáng zi (你好, 我想租房子)”.
One bedroom one living room “yì fáng yì tīng de (一房一厅的)”.
Two bedrooms one living room “liǎng fáng yì tīng de (两房一厅的)”.
How much is the price per month “duōshǎo qián yī gè yuè? (多少钱一个月?)”
How much is your budget? (nǐ de yù suàn shì duō shǎo? (你的预算是多少?
When can I see the flat (“ shén me shí hòu néng kànfáng? (什么时候可以看房?”)
Is this community quiet and peaceful? (zhè ge xiǎo qū ān jìng mǎ? (这个小区安静吗？)”.
I need it well-decorated. (wǒ yào zhuāng xiū hěn hǎo de 我要装修很好的)”.
Is transportation convenient here? ( Zhèér jiāotōnɡ fānɡbiàn mǎ? 这儿交通方便吗？)”.
Signing the contract (qiān hé tong 签合同 )
Can you offer me the same contract in English? (Nǐ néng gěi wǒ yífèn yīnɡwén hétonɡ mɑ? 你能给我一份英文合同吗?)”.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
It’s standard practice in some Chinese cities to 付三押一 (fù sān yā yī) – pay a whopping three months’ rent up front, plus one month’s rent as a deposit (lit. pay three, deposit one).
There’s also a 中介费 (zhōng jiè fèi) – agent’s fee (typically 35%).
Now you should be able to find the apartment you want at a price you like in the exact location and apartment complex of your dreams. Make sure you use a bilingual rental contract; you should not have too many problems.
Good Luck with your apartment hunting!