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.
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.
yard / farm / court
'der Hof' and 'der Hinterhof' can both refer to an open area near a building. 'der Hof' is again the more general word and does not yet say exactly where the area is located. 'der Hinterhof' is behind a building, often at an apartment building in the city. The words can be confused because a 'Hinterhof' is also a kind of 'Hof'. If the location is not important, people usually say 'Hof'. If the area is specifically behind the house, 'Hinterhof' is more natural and precise.
Im Hinterhof parken die Bewohner ihre Fahrräder.
The residents park their bicycles in the backyard.
Vor dem Haus gibt es einen kleinen Hof mit einer Bank.
In front of the house, there is a small yard with a bench.