Jardin vs. cour vs. arrière-cour
While English often uses "yard" to describe the ground around a house regardless of its appearance, French makes a clear distinction based on vegetation, surface material, and location. The three main terms are jardin for green spaces, cour for paved or enclosed areas, and arrière-cour strictly for the space behind a building.
Jardin
A1This word refers to a space dedicated to vegetation. It corresponds to "garden" but is also the default translation for "yard" if the area has grass, flowers, trees, or a vegetable patch. If you have a lawn, it is a jardin.
Les enfants jouent au ballon sur la pelouse du jardin.
(The children are playing ball on the lawn of the yard.)
Mon père aime passer ses dimanches à travailler dans son jardin.
(My father likes spending his Sundays working in his garden.)
Nous avons organisé un barbecue dans le jardin cet après-midi.
(We organized a barbecue in the yard this afternoon.)
Elle a planté des rosiers tout autour du jardin.
(She planted rosebushes all around the garden.)
Cour
A2This term refers to a courtyard or a hard-surfaced yard (paved, concrete, gravel, or dirt) that lacks significant vegetation. It is often enclosed by walls or buildings and is frequently used for utility purposes, parking cars, or as a school playground.
La voiture est garée dans la cour devant la maison.
(The car is parked in the yard in front of the house.)
Les élèves courent dans la cour de l'école pendant la récréation.
(The students run in the school courtyard during recess.)
Il faut balayer les feuilles mortes qui sont tombées dans la cour.
(We need to sweep the dead leaves that fell in the courtyard.)
Cet immeuble ancien possède une magnifique cour intérieure.
(This old building features a magnificent inner courtyard.)
Arrière-cour
B2This specifically translates to "backyard" or "back court." It defines the location strictly behind the building. It often implies a functional, hidden, or less attractive space compared to a jardin, such as a service area for a shop or a small concrete spot behind a row house.
Les livraisons se font par la porte de l'arrière-cour.
(Deliveries are made through the backyard door.)
Sa chambre donne sur une arrière-cour sombre et silencieuse.
(His bedroom looks out onto a dark and quiet backyard.)
Le restaurant stocke ses poubelles dans l'arrière-cour.
(The restaurant stores its trash bins in the backyard.)
Ils ont aménagé un petit patio privé dans l'arrière-cour.
(They set up a small private patio in the backyard.)
Summary
To choose the right word, look at the ground and the location. Use jardin if there is grass and nature. Use cour if it is a paved, gravel, or concrete hard surface meant for walking or parking. Use arrière-cour only when you need to specifically emphasize that the space is located behind the building, often implying a utility or service area.