对 meaning in English
right; correct; towards; at; for
Meaning of 对
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- right; correct
- towards; at; for
- concerning; regarding
- to treat (sb a certain way)
- to face
- (bound form) opposite; facing; matching
- to match together; to adjust
- to fit; to suit
How to use 对
In conversation 对 (duì) alone means "right, correct" and is a very common way to agree, while 不对 (bùduì) means "wrong." As a preposition it means "to, towards" and marks who an action or attitude is directed at: 他对我很好。 (Tā duì wǒ hěn hǎo.) He treats me very well.
对 is made of 又 (yòu, a hand) on the left and 寸 (cùn, a hand with a mark at the wrist) on the right. Picture two hands facing each other and matching up, which is how things become "right" and "opposite" at the same time.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 对 (duì) and 给 (gěi) as "to": use 对 for attitudes and speaking toward someone (对他说), and 给 for giving or doing something for someone (给他打电话). Also, 对 is fourth tone, so do not let it drift up to a rising duí.
对 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
对 duì · right · 5 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 对.
| 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | I'm sorry; excuse me; I beg your pardon; to let (sb) down; to disappoint |
| 不对 | bùduì | incorrect; wrong |
| 对话 | duìhuà | to talk (with sb); dialogue; conversation |
| 对面 | duìmiàn | opposite; across (the street etc); directly in front of one; up ahead |
| 绝对 | juéduì | absolute; unconditional |
| 面对 | miànduì | to face; to confront |
| 反对 | fǎnduì | to oppose; to be against; to object to |
| 对方 | duìfāng | the other person; the other side; the other party |
| 对待 | duìdài | to treat; treatment |
| 对手 | duìshǒu | opponent; rival |
| 对象 | duìxiàng | target; object; partner; boyfriend; girlfriend |
| 对于 | duìyú | regarding; as far as (sth) is concerned; with regard to |
Questions about 对
What does 对 mean?
对 (duì) means "right; correct; towards; at; for" and is used as a adjective, preposition and verb.
How do you write 对?
对 is made of 1 character: 对 (5 strokes). That is 5 strokes in total.
Is 对 an HSK word?
Yes. 对 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 对 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 对 is written 對.
What is the difference between 对 and 对于?
Both can mean "regarding" or "concerning." 对 is more flexible and can also mean "towards" a person, as in 对我笑. 对于 (duìyú) only means "as for, regarding" a topic and sounds a bit more formal.
How do I say "right?" at the end of a sentence to check something?
Add 对不对 (duì bu duì) or 对吧 (duì ba) to the end. For example, 你是老师，对吧？ (Nǐ shì lǎoshī, duì ba?) means "You are a teacher, right?"