Jardim vs. quintal
In Portuguese, while both jardim and quintal refer to an outdoor space associated with a house, they are not interchangeable. The main difference lies in their primary purpose and typical location, with one focusing on aesthetics and the other on functionality.
Jardim
A1A jardim is a garden. It is an area, often at the front or a visible part of a house, cultivated for its beauty and aesthetic appeal. It typically features flowers, ornamental plants, well-kept grass, and is designed for contemplation and enjoyment.
As rosas no jardim estão florescendo lindamente.
(The roses in the garden are blooming beautifully.)
Contratei um jardineiro para cuidar do jardim da frente.
(I hired a gardener to take care of the front garden.)
Gostamos de sentar no banco do jardim para ler um livro.
(We like to sit on the garden bench to read a book.)
O jardim botânico da cidade é uma atração turística popular.
(The city's botanical garden is a popular tourist attraction.)
Quintal
A2A quintal is a yard or backyard. It is a more functional, versatile, and often private space, usually located at the back of the house. It can be used for various activities like barbecues, playing, hanging laundry, keeping pets, or even growing vegetables in a small patch (horta). A quintal may or may not have a garden area within it.
As crianças estão brincando de bola no quintal.
(The children are playing ball in the backyard.)
Vou estender as roupas no varal que fica no quintal.
(I'm going to hang the clothes on the clothesline in the yard.)
Fizemos um churrasco para os amigos no quintal no fim de semana.
(We had a barbecue for friends in the backyard over the weekend.)
Minha avó tem uma pequena horta e algumas galinhas no quintal.
(My grandmother has a small vegetable patch and some chickens in the backyard.)
A casinha do cachorro fica nos fundos do quintal.
(The doghouse is at the back of the yard.)
Summary
In essence, use jardim when referring to a space cultivated for its beauty, with flowers and ornamental plants (a garden). Use quintal for a more functional, multi-purpose space, typically at the rear of a house, used for daily activities and recreation (a yard/backyard). A house can have a jardim at the front and a quintal at the back, and a quintal can itself contain a jardim.