Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Backyard'

English Word: backyard

Key Russian Translations:

• задний двор [ˈzadnʲɪj ˈdvor] - [Neutral, Common]
• дворик [ˈdvorʲɪk] - [Informal, Diminutive]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

задний двор: [ˈzadnʲɪj ˈdvor]

Note on задний двор: Stress falls on the first syllable of "задний" and the first syllable of "двор".

дворик: [ˈdvorʲɪk]

Note on дворик: Stress on the first syllable; the diminutive suffix "-ик" softens the tone.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A yard behind a house (literal meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• задний двор - Used for a typical yard or open space behind a house, often neutral in tone.
• дворик - Used affectionately or to describe a smaller, cozier yard space.

Usage Examples:

• Дети играют на заднем дворе.

  The children are playing in the backyard.

• У нас есть маленький дворик за домом.

  We have a small backyard behind the house.

• На заднем дворе стоит старый сарай.

  There is an old shed in the backyard.

• Летом мы устраиваем пикники во дворике.

  In summer, we have picnics in the backyard.

• Задний двор нужно убрать перед зимой.

  The backyard needs to be cleaned up before winter.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

задний двор (noun phrase, masculine):

"задний" (adjective) agrees with "двор" (noun) in gender, number, and case. Below is the declension for "двор" (yard) as the head noun:

дворик (noun, masculine, diminutive):

Follows regular masculine noun declension with a diminutive suffix. Similar structure to "двор" but with affectionate tone.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• двор (general term for yard, less specific)
• участок (plot of land, broader context)

Note: "двор" is more general and can refer to any yard or courtyard, while "участок" often implies a larger area or plot.

Antonyms:

• передний двор (front yard)

Related Phrases:

• играть на заднем дворе - to play in the backyard
• устроить барбекю во дворике - to have a barbecue in the backyard
• сад на заднем дворе - garden in the backyard

Usage Notes:

• "задний двор" is the most neutral and widely used term for "backyard" in Russian, suitable for formal and informal contexts.
• "дворик" carries a diminutive, affectionate tone and is often used for smaller or cozier spaces, typically in informal speech.
• Be mindful of adjective-noun agreement in "задний двор" when declining the phrase in different cases.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "двор" alone without "задний" to mean "backyard". This can be ambiguous as "двор" can refer to any yard or courtyard.
  Incorrect: Дети играют на дворе. (Ambiguous)
  Correct: Дети играют на заднем дворе. (Clearly means "backyard")
• Error: Misusing "дворик" in formal contexts. It sounds too informal for official or written language.
  Incorrect: На дворике будет построен гараж. (Too informal)
  Correct: На заднем дворе будет построен гараж.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the "задний двор" often holds practical significance in rural or suburban homes, used for gardening, storage, or small livestock. In urban settings, it might simply refer to a shared courtyard space behind apartment buildings, though this is less personal than the English concept of a "backyard".

Related Concepts:

• сад (garden)
• огород (vegetable garden)
• патио (patio)