Chinese Phrases for Renting an Apartment in China
Most international students live in university dorms, but off-campus renting is common for later years. These phrases help you ask the right questions before you sign.
| When you want to say | 中文 | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| I want to rent an apartment | 我想租房子 | wǒ xiǎng zū fáng zi | I want to rent a place |
| Do you have a vacant room? | 有空房吗 | yǒu kòng fáng ma | Do you have a free room? |
| How much is the monthly rent? | 月租多少 | yuè zū duō shǎo | How much is the monthly rent? |
| How much is the deposit? | 押金多少 | yā jīn duō shǎo | How much is the deposit? |
| Does it include utilities? | 包括水电费吗 | bāo kuò shuǐ diàn fèi ma | Does it include water and electricity? |
| Can I see the room? | 可以看房吗 | kě yǐ kàn fáng ma | Can I view the room? |
| Sign the contract | 签合同 | qiān hé tong | Sign the contract |
| Air conditioner | 空调 | kōng tiáo | Air conditioner |
| Washing machine | 洗衣机 | xǐ yī jī | Washing machine |
| Landlord | 房东 | fáng dōng | Landlord |
Deposits are usually 1 to 2 months’ rent. The common pattern is 押一付三 (one month deposit, three months rent paid upfront). Read the contract and confirm the deposit is returned at move-out if there is no damage.
Try it yourself
Paste any sentence from this page into the tool below to see pinyin above each character and an English meaning for every word. Handy for real forms, notices, or chats.
Related guides
- University Dorms Guidedegreeinchina.com
- Study-in-China Glossarydegreeinchina.com
- All Free Toolsdegreeinchina.com
- Stay in China After Graduationdegreeinchina.com
- Chinese Text Annotatordegreeinchina.com
Frequently asked questions
- Is it better to live in a dorm or off campus?
- Dorms are cheaper and simpler for paperwork. Off-campus gives more freedom but you handle the lease, deposit, and utilities yourself.
- What documents do I need to rent?
- Passport, visa, and residence permit. Some landlords also ask for a letter from your university.
- Can my deposit be withheld?
- Only for genuine damage or unpaid bills. Take photos at move-in and keep the contract (合同).