住宅 (zhùzhái) is a formal, written noun meaning 'residence' or 'dwelling' — any building or structure designed for people to live in, such as apartments, houses, or condominiums. It combines 住 (zhù), meaning 'to reside' or 'to dwell', and 宅 (zhái), meaning 'residence' or 'home'; together, they emphasize the function of a place as a permanent or primary living space. Unlike colloquial terms like 房子 (fángzi, 'house') or 家 (jiā, 'home/family'), 住宅 carries an official or administrative tone.

This word frequently appears in legal documents, real estate listings, urban planning texts, and government statistics (e.g., 'residential area' 住宅区). It’s rarely used in casual speech — you wouldn’t say '我住在一个住宅里' in everyday conversation; instead, you’d say '我住在一套公寓里'. It often implies structural permanence and legal designation, distinguishing it from temporary shelters or non-residential buildings.