庭院 (tíng yuàn) refers to an open, enclosed outdoor space—typically surrounded by buildings or walls—that serves as a private garden or yard. It combines 庭 (tíng), meaning 'courtyard' or 'open area in front of a building,' and 院 (yuàn), meaning 'compound,' 'enclosed yard,' or 'institutional courtyard.' Together, they emphasize a traditional, often residential, landscaped space where people relax, grow plants, or host gatherings.

This word evokes classical Chinese architecture and lifestyle—think of old Beijing siheyuan homes or Jiangnan-style gardens. Unlike modern terms like 花园 (huāyuán, 'flower garden') or 阳台 (yángtái, 'balcony'), 庭院 implies enclosure, privacy, and harmony with nature. It appears frequently in literature, real estate descriptions, and discussions of heritage architecture, and is rarely used for public or commercial spaces.