adu

IPA/ˌeɪ.diːˈjuː/
IPA/ˌeɪ.diːˈjuː/

adu — noun

  • adusingular
  • adusplural

1. short for 'accessory dwelling unit' — a second, smaller home or apartment constr

1.名詞B2
釋義

short for 'accessory dwelling unit' — a second, smaller home or apartment constructed on the same property where the main house already stands, for example in a backyard, above a garage, or as a converted basement

例句

Beatriz built an ADU in her backyard so her mother could live nearby.

collocation: built an ADU

New state laws help homeowners add an ADU without lengthy permit reviews.

同義詞
  • granny flat

    British and Australian term for a small home for an elderly relative; less common in US English

  • in-law unit

    Informal US term focusing on the family relationship; less technical than ADU

  • backyard cottage

    Describes the physical location; refers only to detached ADUs, not basement or garage conversions

  • secondary suite

    Canadian term for the same concept; used in official documents in Canada

文法句型

ADU + verb

build/convert/add + ADU

用法筆記

Almost always used in US English real-estate or urban-planning contexts. The full form 'accessory dwelling unit' is rare in everyday speech — the abbreviation ADU is standard when discussing these homes in news articles, zoning regulations, and housing policy.

常見錯誤

❌I built a ADU in my backyard.
✅I built an ADU in my backyard.
💡The abbreviation starts with a vowel sound, so 'an' is correct, not 'a'.
❌The ADU is a type of mobile home.
✅The ADU is a permanent small home built on the same lot as a main house.
💡ADUs are fixed structures, not movable trailers or RVs.