Now let’s learn how to use all of these words with some details.

Living Room in Chinese: 客厅 (kètīng)

Usually the most spacious room located at the front of the house, the living room is where Chinese families gather together for leisure. In China, the living room is called 客厅 (kètīng), literally “guest hall”, since it was originally a place to entertain visitors.

Dining Room in Chinese: 餐厅 (cāntīng)

The dining room is referred to as 餐厅 (cāntīng) in China. Literally “meal hall”, this word can also mean restaurant in Chinese.

Kitchen in Chinese: 厨房 (chúfáng)

厨房 (chúfáng) is probably everyone’s favorite room of the house. It means kitchen in Chinese.

Quiz: Do you know how to say “chef” in Chinese? Hint: it has something to do with “kitchen”. Check out our list of Mandarin professions to find out.

Bathroom in Chinese: 卫生间 (wèishēngjiān)

卫生间 (wèishēngjiān) is the bathroom in Chinese. This word usually refers to the room where the toilet is. However, if you’re referring to the room with the tub or shower instead, you can say 浴室 (yùshì). More on this in our article on 7 ways to say “bathroom” In Chinese.

Laundry Room in Chinese: 洗衣间 (xǐyījiān)

Laundry room in Chinese is simply “wash clothes room” – 洗衣间 (xǐyījiān). Most Chinese households don’t have a laundry room and the clothes are usually air-dried on the balcony.

Bedroom in Chinese: 卧室 (wòshì)

卧室 (wòshì) literally means “the room to sleep” in Chinese. The master bedroom in a house is called 主卧 (zhǔ wò) while the second and guest bedroom are called 次卧 (cì wò) and 客卧 (kè wò).

Office in Chinese: 办公室 (bàngōngshì)

Remember we all had to turn a part of our house into a home office during the COVID-19 outbreak? Well, the word for office in Chinese is 办公室 (bàngōngshì). And to say “work from home”, you say 在家办公 (zài jiā bàngōng).

Study in Chinese: 书房 (shūfáng)

This is an easy one: 书房 (shūfáng) – literally “book room”. Don’t confuse it with 图书馆 (túshūguǎn) which means library.

Hallway in Chinese: 玄关 (xuánguān)

The entryway area for a house or apartment is called 玄关 (xuánguān) in Chinese.

Attic in Chinese: 阁楼 (gélóu)

阁楼 (gélóu) can mean attic or loft in Chinese.

Here’s an interesting Chinese idiom with the word in it: 空中阁楼 (kōng zhōng gélóu) – “attics in the air”, meaning unrealistic plans or hopes for the future.

Basement in Chinese: 地下室 (dìxiàshì)

The word for basement in Chinese is 地下室 (dìxiàshì). It literally means “underground room”. There’s no clear-cut purpose for a basement. Many families convert it into a home gym – 家庭健身房 (jiātíng jiànshēnfáng), a home theater – 家庭影院 (jiātíng yǐngyuàn) or a “rec room” – 家庭娱乐室 (jiātíng yúlè shì).

Garage in Chinese: 车库 (chēkù)

车库 (chēkù) is what we call a garage in Chinese. It translates to “car storeroom”, literally. If you are talking about a fixed parking space in your apartment complex, then use the word 车位  (chēwèi) instead.

Balcony in Chinese: 阳台 (yángtái)

阳台 (yángtái), literally “sun deck”, is the balcony in Chinese. A terrace is called 露台 (lùtái).

Garden in Chinese: 花园 (huāyuán)

Finally, the garden around a house is called 花园 (huāyuán). Don’t get it mixed up with 公园 (gōng yuán), which is the park for the public.  

Further Reading: Gardening Tools in Chinese