Chinese word

院子

Pronunciation

Pinyinyuàn zi

Meaning

  • nounyard

Example

我们在院子里种了菜。wǒ men zài yuàn zi lǐ zhǒng le cài

We planted vegetables in the yard.

Illustration for 院子 (yard)

More examples

孩子们在院子里玩耍。hái zi men zài yuàn zi lǐ wán shuǎ

The children are playing in the yard.

Core concept

An enclosed outdoor space beside or around a home, used for everyday household life.

Common phrases

  • 在院子里zài yuàn zi lǐ

    in the yard

  • 在院子里玩zài yuàn zi lǐ wán

    play in the yard

  • 收拾院子shōu shí yuàn zi

    tidy the yard

Similar words

花园huā yuán: A planted outdoor area designed for enjoying flowers and trees.
阳台yáng tái: A small outdoor platform extending from a building.
庭院tíng yuàn: A small, enclosed outdoor area belonging to a building.

Definition in Chinese

在房屋前后或侧面、通常被围起的户外场所，经常用来晾衣服、养植物或让孩子玩耍。zài fáng wū qián hòu huò cè miàn tōng cháng bèi wéi qǐ de hù wài cháng suǒ jīng cháng yòng lái liàng yī fú yǎng zhí wù huò ràng hái zi wán shuǎ

Word origin

院 (yuàn, "enclosed grounds") + 子 (zi, "noun-forming suffix") forms a noun for the enclosed outdoor grounds around a home.

Usage tips

  • For English-speaking children, this word can include a paved or mostly enclosed space, not only the open grassy area that "yard" may suggest in English.

Other meanings

  • courtyardnoun
  • backyardnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word