courtyard
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courtyard
An open, uncovered area enclosed by the parts of a building complex or by walls.
Im Sommer sitzen die Anwohner oft im begrünten Innenhof zusammen.
In summer, the residents often sit together in the green courtyard.
The word is a clear compound made up of 'innen' (inside) and 'der Hof' (the yard/courtyard). So it literally describes a courtyard located inside a building complex.
Der Zugang zum Innenhof ist nur für die Bewohner des Hauses.
Access to the courtyard is only for the residents of the building.
Pay attention to the case after the preposition 'in'. 'Im Innenhof' (in the courtyard, dative) describes a location, while 'in den Innenhof' (into the courtyard, accusative) describes movement in that direction.
Die Kinder spielen im Innenhof Fußball.
The children are playing soccer in the courtyard.
An 'Innenhof' (courtyard) is typical of castles, monasteries, old universities, or larger urban residential buildings.
Der Innenhof des Schlosses wird im Sommer für Konzerte genutzt.
The castle courtyard is used for concerts in summer.
yard / farm / court
'der Hof' and 'der Innenhof' can both mean an open area between or near buildings. 'der Hof' is more general: it can be a schoolyard, a yard in front of a house, or an area between walls. 'der Innenhof' is more specific and means a courtyard located inside a building complex and surrounded by buildings or walls. Learners may confuse the words because an 'Innenhof' is also a kind of 'Hof'. If you are speaking only generally about the area, 'Hof' fits. If you want to emphasize that the area is inside, 'Innenhof' is more precise.
Im Innenhof stehen ein paar Tische und viele Pflanzen.
There are a few tables and many plants in the courtyard.
Die Kinder spielen nach der Schule noch eine Stunde auf dem Hof.
The children play in the schoolyard for another hour after school.