‘别墅’ (bié shù) is a noun meaning ‘villa’ — a spacious, often luxurious residence located outside a city, typically in a scenic or quiet area like the countryside, mountains, or seaside. The character 别 (bié) originally means ‘separate’ or ‘other’, and 墅 (shù) refers to a country residence or retreat; together, they evoke the idea of a secondary, detached home distinct from one’s main urban dwelling. Villas are commonly associated with leisure, vacationing, or high socioeconomic status in China.

In modern usage, 别墅 can refer to both traditional standalone houses and newer upscale residential compounds marketed as ‘villas’. It’s frequently used in real estate, travel, and lifestyle contexts — for example, when describing weekend getaways or luxury property investments. Unlike ordinary apartments (公寓) or houses (房子), 别墅 emphasizes exclusivity, space, and natural surroundings, and often includes private gardens, pools, or panoramic views.