四合院

sìhéyuàn

noun HSK 7 #81,051

Measure Word

一座四合院 zuò

Meanings

1 siheyuan
2 traditional courtyard residence
3 quadrangle dwelling

Characters

to enclose; to join

courtyard; compound

Literally 'four-enclosed courtyard' — buildings on all four sides enclosing a central yard

Examples

北京的四合院是中国传统建筑的代表。

Běijīng de sìhéyuàn shì Zhōngguó chuántǒng jiànzhù de dàibiǎo.

Beijing's siheyuan are representative of traditional Chinese architecture.

现在四合院的价格非常高。

Xiànzài sìhéyuàn de jiàgé fēicháng gāo.

Siheyuan are extremely expensive nowadays.

Tips

culture

四合院 are traditional courtyard houses typical of Beijing, with rooms arranged around a central courtyard on all four sides. They reflect traditional family values — generations living together around a shared space. Today they are highly prized real estate.

Stroke Order

四 sì

合 hé

院 yuàn