Cosy

KOH-zee

Informal Depends on context

What it really means

In everyday English "cosy" means warm and comfortable. In property adverts it is famous code for SMALL. "Cosy one-bed flat" usually means a very small flat. Treat it as a size warning, not a compliment.

Chinese explanation

日常英语中"cosy"指温馨舒适。但在房产广告里，它是"小"的著名暗语。"Cosy one-bed flat"通常意味着非常小的一居室。把它当作面积警告，而不是优点。

Example conversation

A: This one’s described as a cosy studio. B: Translation: you can touch both walls at once. Let’s see it before judging.

A：这套的描述是“温馨的 studio”。 B：翻译过来就是：两面墙可以同时摸到。还是先去看看再下结论。

What you could say back

“What's the actual floor area in square metres?”

Related phrases

Compact Deceptively spacious Estate agent

Official sources

Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.

Go deeper

Council Tax Explained: What Newcomers Need to Know How Renting Works in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide UK Utility Bills: Setting Up Energy, Water, Broadband and the TV Licence

All Renting & Housing

Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team · Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake