四合院(the quadrangle )是中国的一种传统合院式住宅。一个标准的四合院通常由一个庭院及其四周独立的房屋构成。不同方位的房屋有着不同的名称。坐北对着庭院入口处的称为正房(main house)，东西两边的称为厢房(side house)，坐南朝北的称为倒座房(reversely-set house)。长辈或一家之主住正房，晚辈住厢房。倒座房可以用作厨房、储物间、客厅或书房。四合院如今已经成为观光景点，并为世界各地的游客所熟知。

　　参考翻译:

　　The Quadrangle

　　The quadrangle is a traditional courtyardresidence in China. A standard quadrangle usuallyconsists of a courtyard with independent housesalong its four sides. Houses in different directionshave their own names. The house on the north facing the courtyard’s entrance is called themain house; the house which lies on the east or west is called the side house; and the onestands on the south is called reversely-set house. The older generation or the head of thehousehold lives in the main house, while the younger generation lives in the side houses. Thereversely-set house can be used as a kitchen, a storeroom, a sitting-room or a study. Thequadrangle has now become a tourist attraction and is well-known to tourists from all over theworld.

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

　　2.坐北对着…东西两边…坐南朝北:这个句子含有三个并列分句，且结构基本一致，所以可以用三个相同结构的连续的分句来表达。为了避免表达单调，三个分句可选择不同的谓语动词，使译文既有一致性又富有变化。

　　3.观光景点:可译为a tourist attraction 或 a sightseeingspot。

　　4.世界各地的:英语中可把定语前置或者后置，所以此修饰语可译成all over the world或worldwide.