对 meaning and stroke order
Right; correct; towards; at; for; concerning; regarding
How to write 对, stroke by stroke
5 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Meaning of 对
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- right; correct
- towards; at; for
- concerning; regarding
- to treat (sb a certain way)
- to face
- (bound form) opposite; facing; matching
How 对 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. A pair 又 of hands 寸.
Radical: 寸 (inch), shared by 18 characters on this site.
How to remember 对
对 is built from 又 (a hand) and 寸 (also a hand), so picture two hands facing each other in a matching pair. When two things face and match up properly, they are 对 (duì), right.
On its own, 对 (duì) is the everyday way to say "right" or "correct" in reply to someone. It also works as a preposition meaning "to" or "towards" a person or thing, as in 他对我很好。(Tā duì wǒ hěn hǎo.) He treats me very well.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up the left side 又 with 夂 or write the right side 寸 without its dot, which makes it look like a different character. Another trap is reading 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) with a full third tone on 不. In this word 不 is light and neutral.
Common words with 对
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | I'm sorry; excuse me; I beg your pardon; to let (sb) down; to disappoint | HSK 1 |
| 不对 | bùduì | incorrect; wrong | HSK 1 |
| 对话 | duìhuà | to talk (with sb); dialogue; conversation | HSK 2 |
| 对面 | duìmiàn | opposite; across (the street etc); directly in front of one; up ahead | HSK 2 |
| 绝对 | juéduì | absolute; unconditional | HSK 3 |
| 面对 | miànduì | to face; to confront | HSK 3 |
| 反对 | fǎnduì | to oppose; to be against; to object to | HSK 3 |
| 对方 | duìfāng | the other person; the other side; the other party | HSK 3 |
| 对待 | duìdài | to treat; treatment | HSK 3 |
| 对手 | duìshǒu | opponent; rival | HSK 3 |
| 对象 | duìxiàng | target; object; partner; boyfriend; girlfriend | HSK 3 |
| 对于 | duìyú | regarding; as far as (sth) is concerned; with regard to | HSK 4 |
| 对付 | duìfu | to handle; to deal with; to tackle; to get by with; to make do | HSK 4 |
| 针对 | zhēnduì | to target; to focus on; to be aimed at or against; in response to | HSK 4 |
对 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 对
Learning 对 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 对
How many strokes are in 对?
对 is written with 5 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 对 mean?
对 (duì) means right; correct; towards; at; for; concerning; regarding. A common word with it is 对不起 (duìbuqǐ), meaning "I'm sorry; excuse me; I beg your pardon; to let (sb) down; to disappoint".
How do you pronounce 对?
对 is pronounced duì, in the fourth tone (falling).
What is the radical of 对?
The radical of 对 is 寸, which carries the idea of "inch". Dictionaries list 对 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 对?
The traditional form of 对 is 對. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 对 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 对 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 对 is part of the HSK 1 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 1.
What is the difference between 对 and 是 when agreeing with someone?
对 (duì) means "that's correct" and confirms that what was said is true. 是 (shì) can also mean "yes, that's so," but it sounds more formal. In casual talk, 对 or 对对对 is the most common reply.
How is 对 different from 给 when saying "to" someone?
对 marks who an attitude or speech is directed at, as in 对他说 (duì tā shuō), to say to him. 给 (gěi) marks who receives something, as in 给他打电话 (gěi tā dǎ diànhuà), to call him. Use 对 for feelings and attitudes like 对我很好.