backyard
gb/bˈækjˌɑɹd/ us/bˈækjˌɑɹd/
A2
English
~ 8400
hátsó udvar, hátsó kert, közvetlen környezet, saját háza tája, otthoni, házi, háztáji
NOUN
A2
1
hátsó udvar
A2
hátsó kert
A2
Usage pattern:
in the [someone]'s backyard
The kids are playing soccer in the backyard.
A gyerekek a hátsó udvaron fociznak.
We had a small vegetable garden in our backyard when I was a child.
Gyerekkoromban volt egy kis veteményesünk a hátsó kertben.
They built a wooden deck in the backyard for summer parties.
From the kitchen window you can see the entire backyard.
A tall fence separates their backyard from the neighbor's property.
Learner examples
The dog runs in the backyard.
A kutya a hátsó udvaron futkos.
We eat dinner in the backyard in summer.
Nyáron a hátsó kertben vacsorázunk.
There is a big tree in my backyard.
The children play in the backyard after school.
They have a small pool in their backyard.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "backyard" with "garden" or "yard". In American English, "backyard" usually means the private space directly behind the house, while "yard" can be around the whole house. In British English, people more often say "garden" instead of "backyard".
Meaning
private outdoor area behind a house
Collocations
small backyard
|backyard garden
|backyard barbecue
|backyard pool
|backyard fence
|play in the backyard
Synonyms
yard (Common in American English; can mean any area of land around a house, not just behind it.)
|
garden (Common in British English; often refers to the whole area of land around a house, not only the back part.)
Antonyms
front yard (The outdoor area in front of a house, facing the street, rather than behind it.)
Themes
home
|daily life
|environment
|housing
|daily_life
Definition
The outdoor space behind a house that belongs to the people who live there.
The piece of private outdoor land directly behind a house, often used for relaxing, playing, or gardening.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
in [someone]'s (own) backyard
People talk about climate change, but serious damage is already happening in our own backyard.
Az emberek beszélnek a klímaváltozásról, de súlyos károk már a saját házunk táján is jelentkeznek.
The company ignored safety problems in its own backyard while expanding overseas.
A vállalat a külföldi terjeszkedés közben figyelmen kívül hagyta a saját háza táján jelentkező biztonsági problémákat.
Instead of criticizing other countries, the government should first fix the issues in its own backyard.
Environmental activists say the forest fire in our backyard is a warning to the whole region.
The factory is practically in their backyard, so they are especially worried about pollution.
Learner examples
We have many problems in our own backyard.
A saját házunk táján is sok problémánk van.
Before you judge others, look in your own backyard.
Mielőtt másokat megítélnél, nézz körül a saját házad táján.
The river in our backyard is very dirty now.
The new road will be right in my backyard.
Big global issues also start in someone’s backyard.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes understand this meaning too literally and think it must refer to the physical space behind a house. In phrases like "in our own backyard", it usually means the local area or direct responsibility, not the actual yard. Context will show if it is literal or figurative.
Meaning
someone’s own local area or concern
Collocations
in our own backyard
|problems in your backyard
|right in their backyard
|issues in the country's backyard
|look in your own backyard
|in the backyard of [something]
Synonyms
local area (More general and literal; does not carry the same contrast with far-away places that "backyard" often suggests.)
|
neighborhood (Focuses more on the residential community; "backyard" can also refer to a wider area of influence, not only where people live.)
Antonyms
far away (Describes distant places, in contrast to things happening close to home or under one’s direct responsibility.)
Themes
society
|politics
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The place near where someone lives or works, which is especially their problem or responsibility.
A person’s or group’s own local area or direct sphere of concern, especially when comparing it with more distant places.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
backyard [noun]
He started as a backyard mechanic fixing neighbors’ cars on weekends.
Sufniszerelőként kezdte, hétvégenként a szomszédok autóit javította.
The city is trying to stop backyard breeding of dogs without proper licenses.
Az önkormányzat igyekszik visszaszorítani a megfelelő engedélyek nélküli otthoni kutyaszaporítást.
What began as a backyard project grew into a successful tech company.
They held a small backyard concert with local bands.
Critics say these backyard fireworks displays are dangerous and unregulated.
Learner examples
She runs a small backyard business selling cakes.
Egy kis otthoni vállalkozást vezet: süteményeket árul.
He is just a backyard mechanic, but he is very good.
Csak egy sufniszerelő, de nagyon jó.
They have a backyard garden project for fun.
The company started as a backyard idea between two friends.
Backyard breeding of animals can be a problem.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "backyard" is only a noun and do not recognize it before another noun as an adjective. In phrases like "backyard mechanic" or "backyard project", it describes the type of person or thing, not the place where they stand.
Meaning
home-based, small, often informal
Collocations
backyard mechanic
|backyard barbecue
|backyard breeder
|backyard project
|backyard business
|backyard experiment
Synonyms
home-based (Focuses on location at home, but lacks the informal or slightly amateur feeling that "backyard" can suggest.)
|
amateur (Stresses lack of professional training or quality; "backyard" focuses on both location and small, informal scale.)
Antonyms
professional (Suggests formally trained or officially recognized work, often not done at home and usually higher in quality.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|informal
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening or made at a person’s home, usually small, simple, or not fully professional.
Done, made, or existing at someone’s home or on private property, especially on a small, informal, or non-professional scale.
Grammar
Dictionary form
backyard
IPA
GB/bˈækjˌɑɹd/
US/bˈækjˌɑɹd/
Syllables & stress
back - yard (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (back)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: backyard
- Plural: backyards
Word family
Expressions
backyard barbecue
1/bˈækjˌɑɹd bˈɑɹbɪkjˌu/
fixed phrase
informal outdoor meal at home
An informal meal outside in the backyard where people cook food on a grill.
Examples
- We’re having a backyard barbecue on Saturday, so bring something to share.
- Their annual backyard barbecue is the biggest event of the summer for the neighborhood.
- The backyard barbecue was simple, but everyone had a great time.
in (one's) own backyard
1/ˈɪn wˈʌnz ˈoʊn bˈækjˌɑɹd/
idiom
in one’s own local area
In the place or situation that is close to you or under your responsibility, not somewhere far away.
Examples
- People are shocked to learn that human trafficking is happening in their own backyard.
- We talk about corruption abroad but ignore what is going on in our own backyard.
- Environmental groups warn that climate change is already visible in our own backyard.
not in my backyard
1/nˈɑt ˈɪn mˈaɪ bˈækjˌɑɹd/
idiom
local opposition to nearby projects
Used to say that someone does not want something, like a new road or factory, to be built near their home or in their local area, even if they accept it in general.
Examples
- Many residents support renewable energy but say, "Not in my backyard" when a wind farm is planned nearby.
- The mayor accused opponents of the housing project of having a "not in my backyard" attitude.
- Critics say the campaign is driven by a classic not-in-my-backyard reaction.