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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "courtyard" or "institution" with 院 (yuàn)

    Location & Position
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    Noun + 院

    Explanation

    院 (yuàn) means "courtyard" or "institution" and frequently appears as a suffix in compound words to indicate a place or establishment. For example, 医院 means "hospital" and 法院 means "court." On its own, 院 can refer to a courtyard or enclosed space.

    Examples

    • 奶奶家的院子里种了很多花。

      Nǎinai jiā de yuànzi lǐ zhòng le hěn duō huā.

      There are many flowers planted in Grandma's yard.

    • 这家医院离我家不远。

      Zhè jiā yīyuàn lí wǒ jiā bù yuǎn.

      This hospital is not far from my home.

    • 他在法院工作了十多年。

      Tā zài fǎyuàn gōngzuò le shí duō nián.

      He has worked at the court for more than ten years.

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