アパート

• Reading: アパート
• Romaji: apaato
• Pronunciation: /a.paː.to/

Meaning

Apartment building; apartment block. A low-rise residential building with rental units.

A katakana loanword from English 'apartment.' In Japanese, アパート specifically refers to a low-rise (usually two-storey) wooden or light-frame rental building, as distinct from マンション (a mid or high-rise concrete building). Rent for アパート is generally cheaper than マンション.

Examples

1. 大学の近くのアパートに住んでいます。 I live in an apartment near the university.
2. このアパートは家賃が安いです。 This apartment has cheap rent.
3. アパートの隣にコンビニがあります。 There is a convenience store next to the apartment.

Usage Guide

Context: housing, daily life, real estate

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Shortened from English 'apartment house.' Entered Japanese in the early 20th century as Western-style rental housing became common in cities.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal