Types of accommodation

My father wants to buy a house but we haven’t decided yet what type of accommodation to look for. Dad wants to have a detached house in a quiet district, whereas mum would like a mansion in the suburbs. I know we can afford none of them and I’m sure we’ll have a terraced house with a small garden in a housing estate. In comparison to our present flat, it will be a castle. We live in a block of flats in a poor district. Our flat is dark, damp and uncomfortable. No wonder we want to change it.

Types of accommodation – Rodzaje miejsc zamieszkania

  • house – dom
  • flat/apartment – mieszkanie
  • bungalow – dom parterowy
  • detached house – dom jednorodzinny
  • semi-detached house – bliźniak
  • terraced houses – domki szeregowe
  • block of flats – blok mieszkalny
  • residential house – budynek mieszkalny
  • bedsit – kawalerka
  • studio – studio, kawalerka
  • penthouse – apartament na ostatnim piętrze
  • skyscraper – wieżowiec
  • villa – willa
  • cottage – dom wiejski
  • farmhouse – dom w gospodarstwie rolnym
  • manor house – rezydencja wiejska, dworek
  • mansion – rezydencja
  • castle – zamek
  • chalet – drewniana chata w górach
  • tenement house – kamienica czynszowa

PARTS OF THE HOUSE

I live in a small town. It takes me 20 minutes on foot to get to school. But I don’t mind walking. I always pass by the old house, which is so beautiful that I like to imagine it’s mine. It has walls covered with ivy, a red roof and two chimneys. There is a wooden porch out the front and a balcony on the first floor. I think nobody lives there as the gate is rotten and the front door is always locked. I’ve never been inside but I’m sure there’s a fireplace in the living room and an impressive staircase leading to the attic. If I had enough money, I’d certainly buy this house.

  • roof – dach
  • wall – ściana
  • floor – podłoga
  • stairs – schody
  • staircase – klatka schodowa
  • ground floor – parter
  • first floor – pierwsze piętro
  • landing – półpiętro, podest
  • ceiling – sufit
  • front door – drzwi wejściowe
  • entrance hall – hol wejściowy
  • passage – korytarz
  • balcony – balkon
  • terrace – taras
  • loft – strych
  • attic – poddasze
  • cellar/basement – piwnica
  • porch – ganek (US: weranda)
  • garage – garaż
  • chimney – komin
  • lift (US: elevator) – winda
  • gate – furtka, brama

 

LOCATION

In a city
I’m a typical city-dweller. I love the hustle and bustle of the large city. I live in a residential house in the centre so I don’t have to commute. I don’t mind the traffic, pollution and other disadvantages of living in the city because I have everything I need at hand. I often go to the cinema, theatre and shopping centres. It would be more complicated if I lived in the country.

In the country
I live in a small village surrounded by countryside. I’ve never thought of moving to the city as I love the peace and quiet of a rural area. I can breathe fresh air and go for long walks to the nearest forest.

We’ve got a little cottage in the country. It’s in a lovely position; right on the edge of a small lake, but it doesn’t get much sun, so it’s rather dark inside.

in a city – w mieście

  • in a large city – w dużym mieście
  • in a town – w małym mieście
  • in the centre – w centrum
  • in a housing estate – na osiedlu mieszkaniowym
  • in a poor district – w biednej dzielnicy
  • in a quiet district – w spokojnej dzielnicy
  • in the suburbs – na przedmieściu
  • on the outskirts – na peryferiach (sprawdzić)
  • close to public transport – blisko komunikacji miejskiej
  • quarter/ `district – dzielnica
  • neighbourhood – sąsiedztwo
  • main street – główna ulica
  • square – plac
  • avenue – aleja
  • The Old Town – Stare Miasto
  • capital – stolica
  • city-dweller – mieszkaniec miasta
  • traffic – ruch uliczny
  • fumes – spaliny
  • pollution – zanieczyszczenie
  • shopping centre – centrum hand­lowe
  • services – usługi
  • crowded – zatłoczony
  • hustle and bustle – zgiełk

in the country – na wsi

  • in a village – na wsi (w wiosce)
  • at the seaside – nad morzem
  • on the lake – nad jeziorem
  • in the mountains – w górach
  • resort – miejscowość wypoczynkowa
  • hamlet – mała wieś
  • villager – mieszkaniec wsi
  • picturesque – malowniczy
  • surroundings – otoczenie, okolica
  • rural – wiejski
  • peace and quiet – cisza i spokój
  • countryside – krajobraz, okolica wiejska
  • fresh air – świeże powietrze
  • commute – dojeżdżać (do pracy)

 

A HOUSE / A FLAT

If I won a million pounds, I’d buy a comfortable manor house for my parents because they’d love to live in the country. I’d choose a house with a view of the lake in picturesque surroundings. Then, I’d look for a luxurious penthouse in the capital for me and my girlfriend.

I’ve just moved to a house in the suburbs. It’s got four bedrooms and a large garden. It’s very spacious and there’s lots of room for the children. The sitting room faces south, so it’s fairly sunny.

A HOUSE/A FLAT – DOM/ MIESZKANIE

  • light – jasny
  • dark – ciemny
  • comfortable – wygodny
  • uncomfortable – niewygodny
  • spacious – przestronny
  • tidy – czysty, schludny
  • untidy – nieporządny, zaniedbany
  • cosy – przytulny
  • luxurious – luksusowy
  • sunny – słoneczny
  • quiet – cichy, spokojny
  • noisy – głośny, pełen zgiełku
  • damp – wilgotny
  • faces south – wychodzi na połud­nie
  • looks out on the park – wychodzi na park
  • with a lovely view of… – z ładnym widokiem na…
  • in a lovely position – ładnie położony

ROOMS AT HOME

Living room / sitting room / lounge
It was my birthday last week and my Mum let me throw a party at home. Our lounge is quite big so I could invite a lot of people. The party started at 8 p.m. and everything seemed OK. I have good hi-fi equipment, an amplifier and powerful speakers, which are the essentials for a good party. I put some cushions on the floor because six chairs, two armchairs and a sofa wouldn’t be enough for such a crowd. We danced a lot and had a great time. But next morning I saw some wine stains on the carpet and a broken flower pot. I quickly cleaned the carpet but unfortunately, mum discovered other stains and some scratches on the coffee table. She was really furious.

Living room / sitting room / lounge – salon, pokój dzienny

  • coffee table – stolik
  • armchair – fotel
  • rocking chair – fotel na biegunach
  • sofa/settee – sofa
  • couch – kanapa
  • cushion – poduszka
  • shelves – półki
  • wall units – meble segmentowe
  • cocktail cabinet – barek
  • TV set – telewizor
  • remote control – pilot
  • hi-fi equipment – sprzęt hi-fi
  • amplifier – wzmacniacz
  • speaker – głośnik
  • video recorder – magnetowid
  • picture – obraz
  • plant pot – doniczka
  • net curtains – firanki
  • curtains – zasłony
  • carpet – dywan
  • fireplace – kominek
  • chandelier – żyrandol
  • floor lamp – lampa stojąca
  • radiator – kaloryfer
  • air conditioning – klimatyzacja

Bedroom – sypialnia

My bedroom is always untidy. I forget to make the bed or put my clothes into my chest of drawers or my wardrobe.bed – łóżko

  • double bed – łóżko dwuosobowe
  • quilt/duvet – kołdra
  • blanket – koc
  • pillow – poduszka
  • sheet – prześcieradło
  • bedding – pościel
  • mattress – materac
  • night table – stolik nocny
  • alarm clock – budzik
  • bedside lamp – lampka nocna
  • chest of drawers – komoda
  • wardrobe – szafa na ubrania
  • closet – szafa wnękowa
  • dressing table – toaletka
  • rug – dywanik

Study – gabinet, pokój do pracy

When my friends visit me I take them to the study. There are comfortable swivel chairs, a desk with a computer and a bookcase. The room is not as cosy as the bedroom but it is always tidy.

  • desk – biurko
  • swivel chair – krzesło obrotowe
  • computer – komputer
  • keyboard – klawiatura
  • mouse – myszka
  • printer – drukarka
  • scanner – skaner
  • bookcase – biblioteczka, regał
  • table lamp – lampa stołowa
  • wastepaper basket – kosz na papiery

Children’s room – pokój dziecięcy

When I’m tired and want to relax I usually go to my sister’s room. She’s only seven years old and she has the nicest room in our flat. It’s not big but it’s sunny and comfortable. She has plenty of teddy bears, puppets and dolls. I usually play board games or build castles from LEGO blocks, or I sometimes read children’s books to her. There’s also a rocking horse, but I’m too big to use it.

  • cot – łóżeczko dla niemowlaka
  • children’s bed – łóżko dziecięce
  • bunk bed – łóżko piętrowe
  • toys – zabawki
  • teddybear – miś pluszowy
  • doll – lalka
  • puppet – kukiełka
  • rocking horse – koń na biegunach
  • board game – gra planszowa
  • LEGO blocks – klocki LEGO
  • children’s book – książka dla dzieci

Kitchen – kuchnia

Although we have a well furnished dining room, we usually have dinners in the kitchen. My parents love cooking and they have everything that is important for a good dinner. We have not only an electric cooker, an oven and a pressure cooker, but also a fryer, a food processor and a mixer. My mother has already bought all sorts of frying pans, pots and saucepans. But she says she still needs a new casserole and kitchen scales. Our kitchen table is not as big as the one in the dining room but we prefer to eat in the kitchen because we have everything at hand. A coffee maker if we want more coffee, or a microwave oven if the food is too cold and needs warming up.

  • fridge – lodówka
  • freezer – zamrażarka
  • dishwasher – zmywarka do naczyń
  • sink – zlewozmywak
  • dish rack – suszarka
  • tap – kran, kurek
  • cupboard – kredens
  • cooker – kuchenka
  • oven – piekarnik
  • microvawe oven – kuchenka ­mikrofalowa
  • pressure cooker – szybkowar
  • fryer – frytkownica
  • mixer (US: blender) – mikser
  • food processor – robot kuchenny
  • mincer – maszynka do mielenia
  • toastber – toster
  • pot – garnek
  • saucepan – rondel
  • frying pan – patelnia
  • casserole – naczynie do zapiekania
  • lid – pokrywka
  • kettle – czajnik
  • coffee maker – ekspres do kawy
  • kitchen scales – waga kuchenna
  • dishcloth – ścierka do naczyń
  • kitchen table – stół kuchenny
  • stool – taboret
  • waste bin – kosz na odpadki

Dining room – jadalnia

What I like most in her house is the dining room. There’s not much furniture in the room: only a round oak table with comfortable antique chairs and an impressive sideboard. The floor is covered with a Persian rug and there’s a crystal chandelier at the ceiling. The absence of accessories keeps the look simple and elegant.

  • table – stół
  • chair – krzesło
  • high chair – krzesło do karmienia dziecka
  • tablecloth – obrus
  • sideboard – kredens
  • dining room suite – komplet mebli do jadalni

Bathroom – łazienka

I’m going to redecorate my bathroom. It’s very small so I’m going to get rid of the bathtub and have a shower cubicle installed. I’m also thinking of changing tiles because I’m bored with the red ones. Everything will be black and white. I’ve already seen reasonably priced bathroom cabinets. I’ll also change the mirror as I need a bigger one. Fortunately, my washing machine is quite good and I don’t need a dryer. But I’ll buy black and white towels because I want them to match the tiles and the furniture.

  • washbasin – umywalka
  • bath, bathtub – wanna
  • shower – prysznic
  • shower cubicle – kabina prysznicowa
  • towel – ręcznik
  • washing machine – pralka
  • dryer – suszarka
  • bathroom cabinet – szafka łazienkowa
  • mirror – lustro
  • hair dryer – suszarka do włosów
  • toilet – muszla klozetowa
  • toilet paper – papier toaletowy
  • tiles – kafelki

Other rooms – inne pomieszczenia

We need a new flat because our present one is too small for us. Every member of the family should have his own bedroom. I also want to have a store room where I could keep an iron, a drill, a broom and a vacuum cleaner. I’d like to have a utility room because I hate the sight of a washing machine and a dryer in the bathroom. It would be nice to have a larder next to the kitchen and a separate play room for children.

  • spare room/guest room – pokój goś­cinny
  • dining area – aneks jadalny
  • play room – pokój zabaw
  • store room – schowek
  • utility room – pomieszczenie gospodarcze
  • larder/pantry – spiżarnia
  • (window) sill – parapet
  • socket – gniazdko
  • central heating – centralne ogrzewanie
  • internal phone/intercome – domofon
  • wallpaper – tapeta
  • aerial – antena
  • vacuum cleaner/hoover – odkurzacz
  • broom – miotła
  • iron – żelazko
  • drill – wiertarka
  • stand – wieszak, stojak
  • blind – żaluzja
  • shutter – okiennica
  • doormat – wycieraczka do butów

A garden – ogród

My mother loves being outdoors in the fresh air, and she never gets tired of working with plants. We have a beautiful garden with flower-beds and a vegetable patch. It is surrounded by a high hedge. There is a small garden shed where my father keeps a lawnmower, a rake, a hoe and a spade. I also like spending my leisure time in the garden, but I prefer to relax on a deckchair. My parents have been thinking about a swimming pool and a greenhouse. I think it’s a very good idea.

  • garden chair – krzesło ogrodowe
  • deckchair – leżak
  • bench – ławka
  • flower-beds – grządki kwiatowe
  • vegetable patch – ogródek warzywny
  • lawn – trawnik
  • lawnmower – kosiarka
  • barbecue – grill
  • swimming pool – basen
  • swing – huśtawka
  • rake – grabie
  • hoe – motyka
  • spade – szpadel, łopata
  • garden shed – szopa na narzędzia
  • greenhouse – szklarnia, oranżeria
  • fence – ogrodzenie
  • hedge – żywopłot

TO LET A FLAT – WYNAJMOWAĆ MIESZKANIE

I’ve found a very interesting advertisement in a newspaper. Have a look at it: Three bedroom ­semi-detached house with gas central heating & double glazing. Entrance hall with laminate flooring. Lounge with bay window, feature fireplace & cable TV point. Separate dining room with patio doors to rear courtyard. Fully fitted kitchen with built in electric double oven & fridge freezer. Bathroom with bath, basin, W.C. & electric shower. £ 525 pcm. Available now. If you get promoted next month, we’ll rent it!

Dear Mary,
I’m going to rent a flat but you know I don’t earn much and I have to share the cost with somebody. Would you like to be my flatmate? I’ve already seen a nice two bedroom flat in Lexington. I know you are looking round for a flat and this offer is really interesting. The landlord told me we wouldn’t have to pay in advance and the rent is only £ 250 per month. It is a furnished flat with cooking facilities, an ample storage and a modern bathroom. Besides, it’s ideally placed for the access to the city. Think about it, please!

  • to rent – wynajmować (od kogoś)
  • to let – wynajmować (komuś), do wynajęcia
  • offer – oferta
  • owner – właściciel
  • landlord – gospodarz
  • landlady – gospodyni
  • tenant – najemca, lokator
  • rent contract – umowa najmu
  • a furnished flat – umeblowane mieszkanie
  • unfurnished – nieumeblowany
  • advertisement – ogłoszenie
  • to look round for a flat – rozglądać się za mieszkaniem
  • to pay rent – płacić czynsz
  • to pay in advance – płacić z góry
  • per month – miesięcznie
  • terms – warunki
  • deposit – kaucja, zadatek
  • additional costs – dodatkowe koszty
  • to share – dzielić, mieszkać z kimś
  • flatmate – współlokator
  • separate kitchen – osobna kuchnia
  • cooking facilities – sprzęt kuchenny
  • to give a flat notice – wypowiedzieć mieszkanie
  • notice period – okres wypowiedzenia
  • convenient for… – dogodny dla…

TO BUY / SELL A FLAT / HOUSE – KUPOWAĆ/SPRZEDAWAĆ MIESZKANIE/DOM

We had to sell our old house last year. It wasn’t easy but we finally found a buyer. Mrs. Smith, who works as an agent for A & M estate agency, really helped us. And the commission we had to pay wasn’t very high.

I’d like to invite you to a housewarming party because we’ve just moved into our new flat. We’ve been very busy lately. First, we had to apply for a loan and find a flat which would satisfy all members of the family. Then we had to sign hundreds of documents in the notary’s office and find a good removal company. But it’s all over now, and we can enjoy ourselves in our new flat on Friday.

  • for sale – na sprzedaż
  • buyer – kupujący
  • seller – sprzedający
  • housing offers – oferty ­mieszkaniowe
  • estate agency – agencja nieruchomości
  • agent – agent, przedstawiciel
  • commission – prowizja
  • survey – ekspertyza, opinia biegłego
  • mortgage – hipoteka, kredyt
  • loan – pożyczka
  • notary – notariusz
  • removal company – firma zajmująca się przeprowadzkami
  • to move into a new flat – wprowadzić się do nowego mieszkania
  • housewarming party – parapetówka