• whyNotSquirrel
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    3 months ago

    Non English native here, is roommate commonly used to refer to flatmates in english? Does “flatmates” even exist?

    • Zombiepirate@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      American English doesn’t use “flat” in this way, but the UK does have the word “flatmates.”

    • coffee_with_cream
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      3 months ago

      Yes. Housemate or roommate mean anyone who is sharing a roof with you that you mostly don’t bang

    • Tippon@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      3 months ago

      Flatmates is used in the UK for someone who you share a flat with but have separate rooms, and roommates is used where you share a room, but not a bed, or are not in a romantic relationship with. It’s generally for places like student accommodation.

      • where_am_i
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        3 months ago

        Yeah, but is it valid in American English to call someone a roommate even though each of you have a separate room?