Simplified Chinese - Lesson 116 of 156: Renting an Apartment

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

我对___上的那套房子感兴趣。

Wǒ duì ___ shàng de nà tào fángzi gǎn xìngqù.

I'm interested in the apartment on ___.

Meaning: I'm interested in the apartment on ___.

When to use: Use this to say which listing or street you're interested in when contacting an agent or owner.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 公寓 (gōngyù) when 房子 (fángzi) sounds more natural for a rental listing.

我对小区网站上的那套房子感兴趣。

Wǒ duì xiǎoqū wǎngzhàn shàng de nà tào fángzi gǎn xìngqù.

I'm interested in the apartment listed on the complex website.

我对朋友圈里转发的那套房子感兴趣，可以约看房吗？

Wǒ duì péngyǒu quān lǐ zhuǎnfā de nà tào fángzi gǎn xìngqù, kěyǐ yuē kàn fáng ma?

I'm interested in the apartment shared in my WeChat Moments; can I arrange a viewing?

这套房子还在出租吗？

Zhè tào fángzi hái zài chūzū ma?

Is the apartment still available?

Meaning: Is the apartment still available?

When to use: Ask this right away when you find a listing to avoid wasted time.

你好，这套房子还在出租吗？

Nǐ hǎo, zhè tào fángzi hái zài chūzū ma?

Hello, is this apartment still for rent?

刚看到信息，请问这套房子还在出租吗？

Gāng kàn dào xìnxī, qǐngwèn zhè tào fángzi hái zài chūzū ma?

I just saw the listing — is the apartment still available?

一个月租金多少？

Yí ge yuè zūjīn duōshao?

How much is the rent per month?

Meaning: How much is the rent per month?

When to use: A concise, spoken way to ask about monthly cost; use this when checking affordability.

Tip: Don’t confuse 租金 (zūjīn) with 房租 (fángzū) — both work, but 一个月租金多少 is very natural spoken.

您好，请问一个月租金多少？

Nín hǎo, qǐngwèn yí ge yuè zūjīn duōshao?

Hello, how much is the rent per month?

附近同户型一个月租金多少？我想做比较。

Fùjìn tóng hùxíng yí ge yuè zūjīn duōshao? Wǒ xiǎng zuò bǐjiào.

How much is monthly rent for similar units nearby? I want to compare.

房租包括水电费吗？

Fángzū bāokuò shuǐdiànfèi ma?

Are utilities included in the rent?

Meaning: Are utilities included in the rent?

When to use: Ask this to know whether water, electricity (and sometimes gas) are paid separately.

Tip: Beginners sometimes ask 包括电费吗 (only electricity) — say 水电费 to cover both water and electricity together.

房租包括水电费吗？冬天电费贵吗？

Fángzū bāokuò shuǐdiànfèi ma? Dōngtiān diànfèi guì ma?

Does the rent include utilities? Is electricity expensive in winter?

房租包括水电费吗，还是按表单独交？

Fángzū bāokuò shuǐdiànfèi ma, háishi àn biǎo dúlì jiāo?

Is utilities included or paid separately by meter?

押金是多少

Yājīn shì duōshao?

How much is the security deposit?

Meaning: How much is the security deposit?

When to use: Ask this when you want to know upfront costs before signing.

请问押金是多少？需要几个月的押金？

Qǐngwèn yājīn shì duōshao? Xūyào jǐ ge yuè de yājīn?

How much is the deposit? How many months' rent is required?

押金是多少，退房时如何退还？

Yājīn shì duōshao, tuì fáng shí rúhé tuìhuán?

How much is the deposit and how is it returned at move-out?

我什么时候可以来看房？

Wǒ shénme shíhou kěyǐ lái kàn fáng?

When can I come see the apartment?

Meaning: When can I come see the apartment?

When to use: Use this to arrange a viewing time with the agent or owner.

我什么时候可以来看房？周末方便吗？

Wǒ shénme shíhou kěyǐ lái kàn fáng? Zhōumò fāngbiàn ma?

When can I come to see the apartment? Is the weekend okay?

白天或晚上我都可以，你看我什么时候可以来看房？

Báitiān huò wǎnshàng wǒ dōu kěyǐ, nǐ kàn wǒ shénme shíhou kěyǐ lái kàn fáng?

I'm free day or evening — when can I come view the apartment?

能把地址和照片发给我吗？

Néng bǎ dìzhǐ hé zhàopiàn fā gěi wǒ ma?

Could you send me the address and photos?

Meaning: Could you send me the address and photos?

When to use: Request this when you want listing details before deciding to visit.

能把地址和照片发给我吗？我想先看一下房间布局。

Néng bǎ dìzhǐ hé zhàopiàn fā gěi wǒ ma? Wǒ xiǎng xiān kàn yíxià fángjiān bùjú.

Could you send the address and photos? I want to check the layout first.

请问能把地址和照片发给我吗？我需要确认交通方便不方便。

Qǐngwèn néng bǎ dìzhǐ hé zhàopiàn fā gěi wǒ ma? Wǒ xūyào quèrèn jiāotōng fāngbiàn bù fāngbiàn.

Could you send the address and photos? I need to confirm the commute.

租期是多久

Zūqī shì duōjiǔ?

How long is the lease?

Meaning: How long is the lease?

When to use: Ask this to understand the required commitment (month-to-month, one year, etc.).

租期是多久？可以签短期合同吗？

Zūqī shì duōjiǔ? Kěyǐ qiān duǎnqī hétong ma?

How long is the lease? Can we sign a short-term contract?

房东要求一年起租，租期是多久？

Fángdōng yāoqiú yì nián qǐ zū, zūqī shì duōjiǔ?

The landlord asks for at least a one-year term — how long is the lease?

楼里有___吗？

Lóu lǐ yǒu ___ ma?

Is there ___ in the building?

Meaning: Is there ___ in the building?

When to use: Use this to ask whether the building has specific features like an elevator or parking.

楼里有电梯吗？我不想搬太多楼梯行李。

Lóu lǐ yǒu diàntī ma? Wǒ bù xiǎng bān tài duō lóutī xíngli.

Is there an elevator in the building? I don't want to carry lots of luggage up stairs.

楼里有停车位吗？周末回家方便吗？

Lóu lǐ yǒu tíngchē wèi ma? Zhōumò huí jiā fāngbiàn ma?

Is there parking in the building? Is it convenient to go home on weekends?

我想填一下租房申请表。

Wǒ xiǎng tián yíxià zūfáng shēnqǐngbiǎo.

I'd like to fill out an application.

Meaning: I'd like to fill out an application.

When to use: Say this when you want to start the formal rental application process.

我想填一下租房申请表，可以现在填吗？

Wǒ xiǎng tián yíxià zūfáng shēnqǐngbiǎo, kěyǐ xiànzài tián ma?

I'd like to fill out the rental application — can I do it now?

这套满意，下一步我想填一下租房申请表。

Zhè tào mǎnyì, xià yí bù wǒ xiǎng tián yíxià zūfáng shēnqǐngbiǎo.

I'm happy with this unit; next I'd like to fill out the application.

最早什么时候可以入住？

Zuìzǎo shénme shíhou kěyǐ rùzhù?

What is the earliest move-in date?

Meaning: What is the earliest move-in date?

When to use: Ask this to see when you could start living there if you sign the lease.

请问最早什么时候可以入住？我月底需要搬家。

Qǐngwèn zuìzǎo shénme shíhou kěyǐ rùzhù? Wǒ yuèdǐ xūyào bānjiā.

What's the earliest move-in date? I need to move by the end of the month.

房东说需要时间清理，最早什么时候可以入住？

Fángdōng shuō xūyào shíjiān qīnglǐ, zuìzǎo shénme shíhou kěyǐ rùzhù?

The landlord says they need time to clean — what's the earliest move-in date?

这套房是带家具还是不带家具？

Zhè tào fáng shì dài jiājù háishi bù dài jiājù?

Is the apartment furnished or unfurnished?

Meaning: Is the apartment furnished or unfurnished?

When to use: Ask this to know whether furniture is included and whether you'll need to bring your own.

这套房是带家具还是不带家具？我只有行李没有床。

Zhè tào fáng shì dài jiājù háishi bù dài jiājù? Wǒ zhǐ yǒu xíngli méiyǒu chuáng.

Is the apartment furnished or unfurnished? I only have luggage and no bed.

如果不带家具，房东会提供热水器吗？这套房是带家具还是不带家具？

Rúguǒ bù dài jiājù, fángdōng huì tígōng rèshuǐqì ma? Zhè tào fáng shì dài jiājù háishi bù dài jiājù?

If unfurnished, will the landlord provide a water heater? Is the apartment furnished or not?

可以养宠物吗

Kěyǐ yǎng chǒngwù ma?

Are pets allowed?

Meaning: Are pets allowed?

When to use: Use this to confirm whether pets (cats/dogs) are permitted in the rental.

我有一只猫，想问一下可以养宠物吗？

Wǒ yǒu yì zhī māo, xiǎng wèn yíxià kěyǐ yǎng chǒngwù ma?

I have a cat — may I keep pets?

广告里没写可以养宠物吗，想确认一下。

Guǎnggào lǐ méi xiě kěyǐ yǎng chǒngwù ma, xiǎng quèrèn yíxià.

The ad doesn't say if pets are allowed; I want to check.

Simplified Chinese - Renting an Apartment

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase asks whether utilities are included in the rent?

Which question asks about the earliest day you can move in?

You want the agent to send photos and the address. Which is the best phrase?

Which phrase would you use to check if animals are permitted in the rental?

I want to confirm the apartment is still for rent; if so, could you please send the address and photos?

Before signing, I want to know the earliest move-in date; also, how long is the lease?

If a viewing is possible, please tell me when I can come; I'll arrive on time.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice