Accommodation and Cities – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering housing types, city living, transport, and common phrases from the notes.

bungalow

A single-story house with a broad front porch and no upper floor.

ex: My grandparents live in a cozy bungalow by the beach.

townhouse

A multi-story, attached home often in a row in the city.

They bought a townhouse in the city center.

studio apartment

A small apartment with one main room and a separate bathroom.

ex:He rents a studio apartment with just one room and a kitchen corner.

dorm

A residence hall for students living on campus.

high-rise building

A tall residential or office building with many stories.

ex:She lives in an apartment in a high-rise building downtown.

skyscraper

An extremely tall building; a hallmark of a city skyline.

ex: The city is full of modern skyscrapers.

apartment

A self-contained housing unit within a building.

flat

An apartment (British term).

two-story house

A house with two levels.

edifice

A large, imposing building or structure.

architectural landmark

A building notable for its design or historical significance.

eyesore

A building or site that is unpleasant to look at.

behemoth

A very large building; something of monstrous size.

ex:The new shopping mall is a behemoth that dominates the skyline.

state-of-the-art

Extremely modern or advanced; cutting-edge.

ex:Their apartment has state-of-the-art appliances.

concrete jungle

An urban area dominated by concrete structures with little nature.

ex:Living in a concrete jungle can be stressful.

downtown area

The central business district or core of a city.

ex:The hotel is right in the downtown area.

be in the (very) heart of the

Being in the center of somewhere

ex: The café is in the very heart of the city.

tucked away in a small alley

Hidden in a small alley or out of sight.

ex:The restaurant is tucked away in a small alley.

cozy

Warm, comfortable, and inviting.

ex:Their living room feels cozy and warm.

rustic charm

The simple, attractive appeal of rustic, natural style.

ex: The cottage has a rustic charm that makes it unique.

few and far between

Very rare; not common.

ex: Good coffee shops are few and far between in this area

fit the bill

Be exactly right for a particular situation.

ex:That small house really fit the bill for our needs.

amenities

Facilities and services that add comfort and convenience.

public transport

Buses, trains, taxis, and other mass transit options.

private transport

Personal vehicles such as cars or motorcycles.

The hassle of sth (informal)

= the stress and trouble of sth

ex:Traveling during the holiday season is not worth the hassle of crowded airports.

get around

To move around a city or area.

ex:In Tokyo, it’s really easy to get around using the subway.

Get stuck in the traffic

cannot move due to traffic jam
I got stuck in the traffic this morning and was late for class.

open layout

A floor plan with few walls dividing spaces.

panoramic views

Wide, unobstructed views of the surroundings,all-around views of a landscape or scenery.
ex:From the top of the mountain, we enjoyed panoramic views of the valley below.

home away from home

A place that feels as comfortable as one’s own home.

• My grandmother’s house is truly a home away from home for me.

• That cozy little café feels like a home away from home, with its warm atmosphere and friendly staff.

• When I stayed at the countryside inn, it became my home away from home during the summer holiday.

haven

a safe, peaceful, or comforting place.

• Her garden is a haven of peace and quiet.

• The library became a haven for students during exam season.

• For me, the countryside is a haven away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

hidden gem

A place that is exceptionally good but not well known.

• That small restaurant tucked away in an alley is a real hidden gem.

• The museum is a hidden gem that most tourists overlook.

• We stumbled upon a hidden gem of a beach while exploring the island.

oasis

A pleasant, peaceful area n the middle of a stressful or unpleasant environment.

• The rooftop garden is an oasis of calm in the middle of the busy city.

• After walking all day in the heat, the café felt like an oasis.

• Her cozy living room is an oasis where I can escape from stress.

aromas

pleasant smells, usually from food, drinks, or sometimes nature..

• The kitchen was filled with the aromas of freshly baked bread.

• I love the aromas of coffee in the morning.

• Walking through the spice market, I was surrounded by rich aromas.

linger

To stay in a place longer than usual.

• We decided to linger in the park to enjoy the sunset.

• The sweet aroma of her perfume lingered in the room long after she left.

• He lingered outside the café, not wanting the conversation to end.

homey vibe

A warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels like home.

• The café has a homey vibe that makes customers want to stay for hours.

• I love my friend’s living room; it gives off such a homey vibe.

• The small inn had a homey vibe, with soft lighting and friendly staff.

sanctuary

a safe, peaceful place where someone feels protected or can relax.

• My bedroom is my personal sanctuary, where I can unwind after a long day.

• The garden became a sanctuary for her during stressful times.

• The church has been a sanctuary for the local community for centuries.

regular stomping grounds

A familiar place that one frequently visits.

ex:That café near campus has become my regular stomping ground.

hustle and bustle

noisy activity and commotion

ex: After a long week in the hustle and bustle of the city, I enjoy spending time in the countryside

takes the cake

to be the best or most impressive example of something

ex: Her performance really takes the cake; I’ve never seen anyone sing that beautifully.

smack-dab in the heart of

right in the centre or middle of something

The hotel is smack-dab in the heart of downtown, so everything is within walking distance.

being pretty close in age

to be around the same age

My brother and I are pretty close in age, so we share a lot of interests.

go-to spot

- a preferred or commonly used place

ex: The coffee shop near campus is my go-to spot for studying.

catch-ups

informal meetings or gatherings to catch up on news or talk

We usually have quick catch-ups over coffee to talk about our week

airy, spacious feeling

a sense of openness and roominess
The glass walls give the house an airy, spacious feeling.

Urban and stylish

having a fashionable, modern city style
ex: Their new apartment is urban and stylish, with sleek designs and city views.

open layout

a floor plan with few walls or barriers between rooms

The living room has an open layout that makes the whole space feel bigger.

sleek, modern furniture

contemporary (đương thời) and streamlined (tối giản) furniture
The office is decorated with sleek, modern furniture.

top-of-the-line

the highest quality
ex: He bought a top-of-the-line laptop for his design projects.

Flock to somewhere

move or come together in large numbers
Tourists flock to Paris every summer to see the Eiffel Tower.

Be held up by sth

be delayed by sth

ex: Sorry I’m late, I was held up by a meeting at work.