thanks to a poster, i've been window shopping for an apartment at shanghai.haozu.com, with the help of google's website translator. some of the translations i can guess, but i'm not so sure about others. anyone have a clue about these?

hardcover, as in "fully furnished room hardcover case," "deluxe hardcover"

(alternately,) softcover, as in "ah softcover nice house"

paid 3 charge 1, as in "rent: 3500 yuan/month (paid 3 charge 1)." does this have to do with the rent deposit?

and the ever-popular translation . . . critically, as is used in just about every other sentence - "critically convenient," "contact me critically," "ready critically." every time i think i have a handle on what this means, i see it in a different context!

sambista wrote:paid 3 charge 1, as in "rent: 3500 yuan/month (paid 3 charge 1)." does this have to do with the rent deposit?

yes, the ad is referring to paying the rent every 3 months with 1 month taken in the beginning of the rental term as a security deposit.

canuckian wrote:

sambista wrote:paid 3 charge 1, as in "rent: 3500 yuan/month (paid 3 charge 1)." does this have to do with the rent deposit?

yes, the ad is referring to paying the rent every 3 months with 1 month taken in the beginning of the rental term as a security deposit.

wow. that sounds good, or . . . bad. in this example, does that mean four months' rent would be due at move-in?

Correct, it's pretty common to do this in china. 3 month rent plus 1 month deposit dur at signing.

i'll have to go back and look at the listings, but now i'm wondering if "hardcover" means hardwood (or slate) floors and "softcover" means carpeting . . .

maxfusion16 wrote:Correct, it's pretty common to do this in china. 3 month rent plus 1 month deposit dur at signing.

Yes, for lower end housing it is 3 month's rent in advance and 1 month's deposit but for medium and higher end it is 2 month's deposit and one month's rent in advance.

Sometimes landlord's we deal with are ok with one month deposit and one month's rent in advice but not many as us expats are seen as flight risk.

I'll get my staff to translate the other terms for you and post them.

BTW, as you will be using a local agent then have a look at our Advice on Leasing to give you tips on Offer Letters/Contracts.

Adrienne

^ thanks, adrienne.

Ok, here we go.....

Hardcover/soft cover is in regards to the decor. Hard furnishings and soft furnishings.

The critical call means that you can call the agent and quiz them about the property. Given the fact that most Chinese know agents post fake adverts then they invite you to call them to question them about the apartment's actual existance.

All the best with your home search and WELCOME TO CHINA

Adrienne

sambista wrote:thanks to a poster, i've been window shopping for an apartment at shanghai.haozu.com, with the help of google's website translator. some of the translations i can guess, but i'm not so sure about others. anyone have a clue about these?

hardcover, as in "fully furnished room hardcover case," "deluxe hardcover"

(alternately,) softcover, as in "ah softcover nice house"

paid 3 charge 1, as in "rent: 3500 yuan/month (paid 3 charge 1)." does this have to do with the rent deposit?

and the ever-popular translation . . . critically, as is used in just about every other sentence - "critically convenient," "contact me critically," "ready critically." every time i think i have a handle on what this means, i see it in a different context!

hardcover like built in funitures ...
softcover like curtains...
paid 3 charge 1 means pay 3mths rental in advance+ 1 mth rental for deposit.