アパート

アパート refers to apartments in smaller buildings, typically 2-3 stories, with wooden or lightweight steel construction.

Japanese housing distinction

• アパート: smaller, older-style buildings
• マンション: larger concrete buildings (not 'mansion')
• 一戸建(いっこだ)て: detached house

Common expressions

• アパートを借(か)りる: to rent an apartment
• アパートを探(さが)す: to look for an apartment
• 家賃(やちん): rent
• 敷金(しききん): security deposit

Usage

マンション sounds more prestigious in Japanese, though it comes from 'mansion.' アパート tends to imply more affordable housing.