北京的四合院
Quadrangle Courtyards in Beijing
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An article about the structure and cultural significance of Beijing's traditional courtyards.
41 new words
四合院sìhéyuànquadrangle courtyard
北京有一种院落，叫作四合院，颇能代表当地生活的民居特点，也很引人注意。
民居mínjūcivilian dwelling
北京有一种院落，叫作四合院，颇能代表当地生活的民居特点，也很引人注意。
组合zǔhév./n. to combine; combination
所谓的这种院落并不是只有一种固定样式，而是由正房、厢房和走廊共同组成的空间组合。
建筑jiànzhùn. building, architecture
今天，人们谈四合院时也会看到矛盾：它的建筑价值受到广泛重视，维护却需要时间和费用。
形式xíngshìn. form, mode
保存老房子不等于拒绝现代生活；如果能在保护形式的同时改善设施，四合院仍可成为有温度的居住空间。
所谓suǒwèiadj. so-called
所谓的这种院落并不是只有一种固定样式，而是由正房、厢房和走廊共同组成的空间组合。
方fāngadj. square
这种院落具备遮风避雨的条件，清晨的起居也很方便。
广泛guǎngfànadj. wide, extensive
今天，人们谈四合院时也会看到矛盾：它的建筑价值受到广泛重视，维护却需要时间和费用。
样式yàngshìn. style, pattern
所谓的这种院落并不是只有一种固定样式，而是由正房、厢房和走廊共同组成的空间组合。
代表dàibiǎon./v. typical case; to represent
北京有一种院落，叫作四合院，颇能代表当地生活的民居特点，也很引人注意。
通常tōngchángadv. usually
通常，房屋面向院子并列安排，长辈住在较安静的正房，晚辈和客人使用厢房；它能满足平日生活的功能，也便于接待亲友。
并列bìnglièv. to stand side by side
通常，房屋面向院子并列安排，长辈住在较安静的正房，晚辈和客人使用厢房；它能满足平日生活的功能，也便于接待亲友。
组成zǔchéngv. to form, to constitute
所谓的这种院落并不是只有一种固定样式，而是由正房、厢房和走廊共同组成的空间组合。
长辈zhǎngbèin. senior member of a family
通常，房屋面向院子并列安排，长辈住在较安静的正房，晚辈和客人使用厢房；它能满足平日生活的功能，也便于接待亲友。
具备jùbèiv. to have, to possess
这种院落具备遮风避雨的条件，清晨的起居也很方便。
日常rìchángadj. day-to-day, daily
四合院记录的不是帝王的故事，而是普通人民的日常：一座房子有人住、有人用，才算真正活着。
起居qǐjūn. daily life
这种院落具备遮风避雨的条件，清晨的起居也很方便。
接待jiēdàiv. to receive (sb.), to entertain
通常，房屋面向院子并列安排，长辈住在较安静的正房，晚辈和客人使用厢房；它能满足平日生活的功能，也便于接待亲友。
功能gōngnéngn. function
通常，房屋面向院子并列安排，长辈住在较安静的正房，晚辈和客人使用厢房；它能满足平日生活的功能，也便于接待亲友。
厢房xiāngfángn. wing, wing room
所谓的这种院落并不是只有一种固定样式，而是由正房、厢房和走廊共同组成的空间组合。
走廊zǒulángn. corridor, passageway
所谓的这种院落并不是只有一种固定样式，而是由正房、厢房和走廊共同组成的空间组合。
空间kōngjiānn. space
所谓的这种院落并不是只有一种固定样式，而是由正房、厢房和走廊共同组成的空间组合。
种zhòngv. to plant, to grow
北京有一种院落，叫作四合院，颇能代表当地生活的民居特点，也很引人注意。
竹子zhúzin. bamboo
有人栽竹子、摆金鱼缸，有人用花草为院子创造浓厚的情趣；一方不大的天空，因而能给一家人充分而亲切的感觉。
Some households plant bamboo and keep goldfish; others use flowers and plants to create a rich mood.
则zéconj. (indicating contrast) while
普通住户会在这里洗菜、修理物品、晒衣服，孩子则在空地上跑来跑去。
A small patch of sky can therefore feel ample and intimate to a family.
金鱼jīnyún. goldfish
有人栽竹子、摆金鱼缸，有人用花草为院子创造浓厚的情趣；一方不大的天空，因而能给一家人充分而亲切的感觉。
Some households plant bamboo and keep goldfish; others use flowers and plants to create a rich mood.
创造chuàngzàov. to create, to produce
有人栽竹子、摆金鱼缸，有人用花草为院子创造浓厚的情趣；一方不大的天空，因而能给一家人充分而亲切的感觉。
Some households plant bamboo and keep goldfish; others use flowers and plants to create a rich mood.
情趣qíngqùn. emotional appeal, interest
有人栽竹子、摆金鱼缸，有人用花草为院子创造浓厚的情趣；一方不大的天空，因而能给一家人充分而亲切的感觉。
Some households plant bamboo and keep goldfish; others use flowers and plants to create a rich mood.
因而yīn'érconj. therefore, thus
有人栽竹子、摆金鱼缸，有人用花草为院子创造浓厚的情趣；一方不大的天空，因而能给一家人充分而亲切的感觉。
Some households plant bamboo and keep goldfish; others use flowers and plants to create a rich mood.
为wéiprep. (often used together with '所') by (sb.)
有人栽竹子、摆金鱼缸，有人用花草为院子创造浓厚的情趣；一方不大的天空，因而能给一家人充分而亲切的感觉。
Some households plant bamboo and keep goldfish; others use flowers and plants to create a rich mood.
关闭guānbìv. to close, to shut
把院门关闭后，外面的热闹似乎被隔开，但院内的人仍会通过窗、门和廊下的活动打交道。
封闭fēngbìv. to close, to seal
这样的安排不是封闭自己，而是让私人生活与邻里的往来保持适当距离。
This layout is not isolation; it keeps a proper distance between private life and contact with neighbours.
打交道dǎ jiāodaoto make contact with
把院门关闭后，外面的热闹似乎被隔开，但院内的人仍会通过窗、门和廊下的活动打交道。
日子rìzin. life, livelihood
空间虽然有限，却能容纳不同年龄的人共享日子。
Though limited, the space lets people of different ages share their days.
充分chōngfènadj. ample, sufficient
有人栽竹子、摆金鱼缸，有人用花草为院子创造浓厚的情趣；一方不大的天空，因而能给一家人充分而亲切的感觉。
Some households plant bamboo and keep goldfish; others use flowers and plants to create a rich mood.
令lìngv. to make, to cause
这种空间令人愿意停下脚步，想一想邻里关系怎样在日常细节中延续。
亲切qīnqièadj. warm, cordial, affectionate
有人栽竹子、摆金鱼缸，有人用花草为院子创造浓厚的情趣；一方不大的天空，因而能给一家人充分而亲切的感觉。
Some households plant bamboo and keep goldfish; others use flowers and plants to create a rich mood.
劳动láodòngn./v. work, labor; to do physical labor
有人把劳动工具放在角落，住在这里的邻居也会互相借用。
Working people wash vegetables, mend objects, and dry clothes there, while children run across the open ground.
人民rénmínn. (the) people
四合院记录的不是帝王的故事，而是普通人民的日常：一座房子有人住、有人用，才算真正活着。
矛盾máodùnn./adj. conflict; conflicting
今天，人们谈四合院时也会看到矛盾：它的建筑价值受到广泛重视，维护却需要时间和费用。
浓nóngadj. strong, deep
有人栽竹子、摆金鱼缸，有人用花草为院子创造浓厚的情趣；一方不大的天空，因而能给一家人充分而亲切的感觉。
Some households plant bamboo and keep goldfish; others use flowers and plants to create a rich mood.
Listen to the text
北京有一种院落，叫作四合院，颇能代表当地生活的民居特点，也很引人注意。所谓的这种院落并不是只有一种固定样式，而是由正房、厢房和走廊共同组成的空间组合。通常，房屋面向院子并列安排，长辈住在较安静的正房，晚辈和客人使用厢房；它能满足平日生活的功能，也便于接待亲友。这种院落具备遮风避雨的条件，清晨的起居也很方便。把院门关闭后，外面的热闹似乎被隔开，但院内的人仍会通过窗、门和廊下的活动打交道。
běi jīng yǒu yī zhǒng yuàn luò， jiào zuò sìhéyuàn， pǒ néng dàibiǎo dāng dì shēng huó de mínjū tè diǎn， yě hěn yǐn rén zhù yì。 suǒwèi de zhè zhǒng yuàn luò bìng bù shì zhǐ yǒu yī zhǒng gù dìng yàngshì， ér shì yóu zhèng fáng、 xiāngfáng hé zǒuláng gòng tóng zǔchéng de kōngjiān zǔhé。 tōngcháng， fáng wū miàn xiàng yuàn zi bìngliè ān pái， zhǎngbèi zhù zài jiào ān jìng de zhèng fáng， wǎn bèi hé kè rén shǐ yòng xiāngfáng； tā néng mǎn zú píng rì shēng huó de gōngnéng， yě biàn yú jiēdài qīn yǒu。 zhè zhǒng yuàn luò jùbèi zhē fēng bì yǔ de tiáo jiàn， qīng chén de qǐjū yě hěn fāng biàn。 bǎ yuàn mén guānbì hòu， wài miàn de rè nào shì hū bèi gé kāi， dàn yuàn nèi de rén réng huì tōng guò chuāng、 mén hé láng xià de huó dòng dǎ jiāodao。
A siheyuan is a highly representative form of Beijing residential architecture. A siheyuan is not one fixed style: it is a spatial combination enclosed by a main house, side rooms, and covered corridors. Usually the rooms face the courtyard in parallel. Elders live in the quieter main house, while younger family members and guests use the side rooms. This serves daily living and makes receiving friends convenient. When the gate closes, outside bustle seems separated, but people inside still interact through windows, doors, and activities under the corridor.
院子本身也很重要。有人栽竹子、摆金鱼缸，有人用花草为院子创造浓厚的情趣；一方不大的天空，因而能给一家人充分而亲切的感觉。普通住户会在这里洗菜、修理物品、晒衣服，孩子则在空地上跑来跑去。有人把劳动工具放在角落，住在这里的邻居也会互相借用。空间虽然有限，却能容纳不同年龄的人共享日子。这样的安排不是封闭自己，而是让私人生活与邻里的往来保持适当距离。
yuàn zi běn shēn yě hěn zhòng yào。 yǒu rén zāi zhúzi、 bǎi jīnyú gāng， yǒu rén yòng huā cǎo wéi yuàn zi chuàngzào nóng hòu de qíngqù； yī fāng bù dà de tiān kōng， yīn'ér néng gěi yī jiā rén chōngfèn ér qīnqiè de gǎn jué。 pǔ tōng zhù hù huì zài zhè lǐ xǐ cài、 xiū lǐ wù pǐn、 shài yī fú， hái zi zé zài kōng dì shàng pǎo lái pǎo qù。 yǒu rén bǎ láodòng gōng jù fàng zài jiǎo luò， zhù zài zhè lǐ de lín jū yě huì hù xiāng jiè yòng。 kōngjiān suī rán yǒu xiàn， què néng róng nà bù tóng nián líng de rén gòng xiǎng rìzi。 zhè yàng de ān pái bù shì fēngbì zì jǐ， ér shì ràng sī rén shēng huó yǔ lín lǐ de wǎng lái bǎo chí shì dāng jù lí。
The courtyard itself matters as well. Some households plant bamboo and keep goldfish; others use flowers and plants to create a rich mood. A small patch of sky can therefore feel ample and intimate to a family. Working people wash vegetables, mend objects, and dry clothes there, while children run across the open ground. Though limited, the space lets people of different ages share their days. This layout is not isolation; it keeps a proper distance between private life and contact with neighbours.
今天，人们谈四合院时也会看到矛盾：它的建筑价值受到广泛重视，维护却需要时间和费用。保存老房子不等于拒绝现代生活；如果能在保护形式的同时改善设施，四合院仍可成为有温度的居住空间。四合院记录的不是帝王的故事，而是普通人民的日常：一座房子有人住、有人用，才算真正活着。这种空间令人愿意停下脚步，想一想邻里关系怎样在日常细节中延续。
jīn tiān， rén men tán sìhéyuàn shí yě huì kàn dào máodùn： tā de jiànzhù jià zhí shòu dào guǎngfàn zhòng shì， wéi hù què xū yào shí jiān hé fèi yòng。 bǎo cún lǎo fáng zi bù děng yú jù jué xiàn dài shēng huó； rú guǒ néng zài bǎo hù xíngshì de tóng shí gǎi shàn shè shī， sìhéyuàn réng kě chéng wéi yǒu wēn dù de jū zhù kōngjiān。 sìhéyuàn jì lù de bù shì dì wáng de gù shì， ér shì pǔ tōng rénmín de rìcháng： yī zuò fáng zi yǒu rén zhù、 yǒu rén yòng， cái suàn zhēn zhèng huó zhe。 zhè zhǒng kōngjiān lìng rén yuàn yì tíng xià jiǎo bù， xiǎng yī xiǎng lín lǐ guān xì zěn yàng zài rìcháng xì jié zhōng yán xù。
Today, discussions of siheyuan also reveal a tension: their architectural value is widely recognised, but maintenance requires time and money. Preserving old homes does not mean rejecting modern life. If facilities improve while the form is protected, a siheyuan can remain a warm living space. A siheyuan records not the story of emperors but the daily life of ordinary people: a house is only truly alive while someone lives in it and uses it. Such a space makes people pause and consider how neighbourly ties endure through daily details.
Tap a marked word for its meaning. Tap a line to see the English.
Grammar
所谓的这种院落并不是只有一种固定样式，而是由正房、厢房和走廊共同组成的空间组合。
所谓+ Noun/Concept
所谓. '所谓' is an adjective often used to introduce an explanation of a term or concept. It can also express skepticism about something.
很多时候，烦恼是自己找来的，这就是所谓的'自寻烦恼'。
Hěn duō shíhou, fánnǎo shì zìjǐ zhǎo lái de, zhè jiù shì suǒwèi de 'zì xún fánnǎo'.
Many times, troubles are self-inflicted; this is what's called 'asking for trouble'.
普通住户会在这里洗菜、修理物品、晒衣服，孩子则在空地上跑来跑去。A small patch of sky can therefore feel ample and intimate to a family.
A，则B(contrast between A and B)
则. '则' is a conjunction used to indicate contrast or to introduce an example in formal writing.
有的人家喜欢种草、养花、种竹子，有的人家则喜欢用大盆养金鱼。
Yǒu de rénjiā xǐhuan zhòng cǎo, yǎng huā, zhòng zhúzi, yǒu de rénjiā zé xǐhuan yòng dà pén yǎng jīnyú.
Some families like to plant grass, flowers, and bamboo, while others prefer to raise goldfish in large basins.
有人栽竹子、摆金鱼缸，有人用花草为院子创造浓厚的情趣；一方不大的天空，因而能给一家人充分而亲切的感觉。Some households plant bamboo and keep goldfish; others use flowers and plants to create a rich mood.
为+ Agent +所+ Verb
为...所.... This is a formal passive construction meaning 'by'. It indicates that the subject is the receiver of an action.
对创造生活情趣起了很大作用，因而最为人们所喜爱。
Duì chuàngzào shēnghuó qíngqù qǐle hěn dà zuòyòng, yīn'ér zuì wéi rénmen suǒ xǐ'ài.
It plays a significant role in creating life's joys, and thus is most beloved by people.
这种院落具备遮风避雨的条件，清晨的起居也很方便。
动词+起
起. '起' as a resultative complement indicates connection, combination, or establishment.
只要关起大门，四合院内便形成一个封闭式的小环境。
Zhǐyào guān qǐ dàmén, sìhéyuàn nèi biàn xíngchéng yí ge fēngbìshì de xiǎo huánjìng.
Once the main gate is closed, the siheyuan forms a closed small environment.
Which word means “to form, to constitute”?
Culture
建筑与旅游 - Architecture and Travel
Buildings record a city's time. Old bridges, courtyards, and temples allow visitors to see the materials, craft, and living habits of the past, while new stations, libraries, and homes reflect today's needs. Tourism should not be only about taking photographs and shopping; it can also be a chance to understand local culture. When visiting buildings, learning their purpose and history, following preservation rules, and respecting the lives of nearby residents give travel a deeper meaning. Good preservation does not turn buildings into displays without people, but lets history continue to live alongside today's city.
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组 from 组合 · v./n. to combine; combination
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