British word for apartment

Learn American vs. British housing terms with pictures. There is a considerable difference between British and American houses. It is partly contributed by the different paths that these two nations took after the Second World War. Aside from structures and features, these two cultures also differ when it comes to housing terminologies. From power outlets to air conditioning, the list below will surprise you. Familiarizing these different terms would be quite helpful, especially if you are from the UK and plan to travel to the US or vice versa. Here are a few common words which might leave you perplexed and confused.

Bath —–<>—– Bath Tub

Bin/ Dust Bin —–<>—– Trash Can

Block of Flats —–<>—– Apartment Building, Apartment House

Bungalow —–<>—– One Story House

Bureau De Change —–<>—– Currency Exchange

Chemist’s Shop —–<>—– Drugstore

The Cinema —–<>—– The Movies

Cooker —–<>—– Stove, Range

Corner Shop —–<>—– Grocery Store

Creche —–<>—– Daycare

Curtains —–<>—– Curtains, Drapes

Drawing Room —–<>—– Living Room

First Floor —–<>—– Second Floor

Fishmonger’s —–<>—– Fish Store

Fruiterer’s —–<>—– Fruit Store

Garden —–<>—– Back Yard

Ground Floor —–<>—– Ground Floor, First Floor, Lobby

Flat —–<>—– Apartment

Floor —–<>—– Storey

Ironmonger —–<>—– Hardware Store

Lift —–<>—– Elevator

Lounge —–<>—– Living Room

Pushchair —–<>—– Stroller

Radio, Wireless —–<>—– Radio

Ranch —–<>—– House

Reception —–<>—– Front Desk, Lobby 

Semi-Detached —–<>—– House Duplex

Shopping Center —–<>—– Shopping Mall

Sink, Washbasin —–<>—– Sink

Sweet Shop —–<>—– Candy Store

Terrace —–<>—– Town House

Tap —–<>—– Faucet

Toilet, Loo, WC —–<>—– Washroom, Bathroom, Restroom

Torch —–<>—– Flashlight

Town Centre —–<>—– Downtown

Trolley —–<>—– Cart

Telly —–<>—– TV (Television)

Tea Towel/ Tea Cloth —–<>—– Dish Towel

Wardrobe—–<>—– Closet

American vs. British Housing Terms | Infographic

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Last Updated on January 21, 2021

By: | Updated: Mar-2, 2023

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Here’s another head-scratcher for you: what is the difference between an apartment and a flat? Is there even a difference between the two? If you don’t know the answer to these questions, read on. In this article, you will learn the key differences between an apartment and a flat.

Summary Table

Descriptions

The word apartment is derived from the French word appartement meaning “a separated place.” It is a type of residential unit that occupies a larger building which is called an “apartment building,” “apartment complex,” or a “tower block.” An apartment can be a room or suite of rooms which can be rented by multiple households similar to apartments for rent in sunnyvale ca.

The most common types of apartments are:

• Loft apartment – A unit with a large open space without any divisions that is often converted for residential purposes.
• Studio apartment – An apartment that only has a single room which serves as the kitchen, dining room, living room, and bedroom.
• Serviced apartment – A furnished apartment that has amenities and housekeeping services (the fees for these features are usually included in the rental price).
• Communal apartment – An apartment where all occupants share the kitchen and bathroom.
• Garden apartment – An apartment located on the lower ground floor of the building, with a landscaped yard or lawn.
• Maisonette – A suite of residential units usually on two stories with its own entrance from the outside of the building.

The term “apartment” is commonly used in the United States and other areas that use American English. In British English, the word “apartment” is typically used by those who are in the field of real estate and architecture. It is also sometimes used to refer to the more expensive and classy flats in Europe.

On the other hand, the word flat is derived from the Old English word flett, meaning “floor” or “dwelling.” It refers to an apartment or a residential unit that is rented out to tenants.

The term “flat,” however, is preferred in Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong, and other areas that use British English. In North America, the term “flat” is occasionally used to refer to upscale apartments.

Apartment vs Flat

What, then, is the difference between an apartment and a flat?

Both words refer to a residential unit rented out to tenants. The greatest difference is that the word “apartment” is more commonly used in American English, whereas the term “flat” is used in British English.

It is important to note, however, that the word “apartment” still exists in British English and the word “flat” is still used in American English. In the U.K., an apartment is an upscale flat, while in the U.S., a flat is a luxurious apartment.

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A condo is an apartment in NA English, where there are common areas and private areas and the units are individually owned.

BUT: A condo is owned by an individual owner. Nevertheless, it is still an apartment in a building. A condo owner.

Basically, the British say flat, not apartment.

The ownership structure is as follows:
The UK equivalent of a condominium is a commonhold property, with common areas and freehold areas (private areas).

And flats in this case are owned by unit-holders.

Commonhold

In everyday language in NA English, one says I live in an apartment or condo, as the legal side is not always the point in conversation.

In British English, flat is the word to use regardless of the ownership structure.

I live in a flat and am the unit-holder. [BrE]
I live in a condo and am the condo owner. [NA English]

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‘apartment‘ also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

квартира, апартамент, комната, меблированные комнаты

существительное ↓

Словосочетания

the apartment’s compact floor plan — компактный архитектурный план этой квартиры  
plant bugs in the dissident’s apartment — установить «жучки» в квартире этого диссидента  
a roomy but sparsely furnished apartment — просторная, но скудно обставленная квартира  
dusky apartment — плохо освещённая комната  
loft apartment — квартира-лофт  
next-door apartment — соседняя квартира  
private apartment — частная квартира, собственные апартаменты  
to ransack an apartment — ограбить квартиру  
to rent an apartment from — снимать квартиру  
to rent (out) an apartment to — сдавать квартиру  
to renovate an apartment — ремонтировать квартиру  
multistorey apartment block — жилой многоэтажный дом  

Примеры с переводом

Примеры, ожидающие перевода

Возможные однокоренные слова

apartments  — апартаменты, меблированные комнаты

Формы слова

noun
ед. ч.(singular): apartment
мн. ч.(plural): apartments