四合院(the quadrangle )是中國的一種傳統(tǒng)合院式住宅。一個(gè)標(biāo)準(zhǔn)的四合院通常由一個(gè)庭院及其四周獨(dú)立的房屋構(gòu)成。不同方位的房屋有著不同的名稱。坐北對(duì)著庭院入口處的稱為正房(main house)，東西兩邊的稱為廂房(side house)，坐南朝北的稱為倒座房(reversely-set house)。長輩或一家之主住正房，晚輩住廂房。倒座房可以用作廚房、儲(chǔ)物間、客廳或書房。四合院如今已經(jīng)成為觀光景點(diǎn)，并為世界各地的游客所熟知。

　　翻譯范文：

　　The quadrangle is a traditional courtyard residence in China. A standard quadrangle usually consists of a courtyard with independent houses along its four sides. Houses in different directions have their own names. The house on the north facing the courtyard’s entrance is called the main house; the house which lies on the east or west is called the side house; and the one stands on the south is called reversely-set house. The older generation or the head of the household lives in the main house, while the younger generation lives in the side houses. The reversely-set house can be used as a kitchen, a storeroom, a sitting-room or a study. The quadrangle has now become a tourist attraction and is well-known to tourists from all over the world.

　　1.合院式住宅:譯為courtyard residence即可，其中residence意為“住宅， 民居”。

　　2.坐北對(duì)著…東西兩邊…坐南朝北:這個(gè)句子含有三個(gè)并列分句，且結(jié)構(gòu)基本一致，所以可以用三個(gè)相同結(jié)構(gòu)的連續(xù)的分句來表達(dá)。為了避免表達(dá)單調(diào)，三個(gè)分句可選擇不同的謂語動(dòng)詞，使譯文既有一致性又富有變化。

　　3.觀光景點(diǎn):可譯為a tourist attraction 或a sightseeing spot。

　　4.世界各地的:英語中可把定語前置或者后置，所以此修飾語可譯成all over the world或worldwide.