backyard
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backyard
A courtyard or open area located behind a building, usually an urban residential building.
Die Kinder spielten im Hinterhof, weil dort keine Autos fuhren.
The children played in the backyard because no cars drove there.
backroom
Figuratively and disparagingly, a provincial, unprofessional, or shady environment.
Seine politische Karriere begann nicht in den großen Sälen, sondern im Hinterhof der Parteibasis.
His political career did not begin in the grand halls, but in the backrooms of the party base.
The word is a clear compound of the preposition 'hinter' (behind) and the noun 'der Hof' (the courtyard). So it literally describes a courtyard located behind something, usually a house.
Vom Küchenfenster aus blickt man direkt in den grauen Hinterhof.
From the kitchen window, you look directly into the gray backyard.
Pay attention to the preposition 'in' and the corresponding case. Movement is expressed with the accusative ('in den Hinterhof' — into the backyard), while a location or position requires the dative ('im Hinterhof' — in the backyard).
Die Katze lief schnell in den Hinterhof.
The cat quickly ran into the backyard.
In the literal sense, 'Hinterhof' (backyard) is often combined with verbs such as 'spielen' (to play), 'parken' (to park), or 'stehen' (to stand), which describe everyday activities in this area.
Früher haben wir als Kinder immer im Hinterhof Fußball gespielt.
When we were children, we always used to play soccer in the backyard.
You can recognize the figurative, negative meaning by the fact that 'Hinterhof' (backyard/backroom) is connected with abstract topics such as politics, business, or art. It then describes an unprofessional or insignificant scene.
Diese Entscheidung wurde nicht im Parlament, sondern im Hinterhof der Partei getroffen.
This decision was made not in parliament, but in the backrooms of the party.
courtyard
Innenhof and Hinterhof can refer to the same courtyard. Innenhof emphasizes that buildings or walls enclose the open space; Hinterhof emphasizes its location behind a building. For a courtyard that is both at the back and enclosed, the choice therefore depends on which feature is meant.
Hinter dem Vorderhaus liegt der kleine Hinterhof des Häuserblocks.
The building complex's small backyard lies behind the front building.
Die Wohnungen liegen rings um den offenen Innenhof des Häuserblocks.
The apartments surround the open courtyard of the building complex.
