对 duì correct
correct; towards; a pair
How to remember 对: 又 again + 寸 inch = correct. The tailor checks every inch of the wedding dress again and again until the fit is exactly correct.
Component breakdown
会意 · Meaning + meaning · 假借 borrowed for its sound
Two or more parts whose meanings together make the new meaning.
对 = 又 again + 寸 inch
- 又 again
- 寸 inch
The tailor checks every inch of the wedding dress again and again until the fit is exactly correct.
How it came to be
The oldest form shows a hand holding a digging tool over earth; the first meaning is unclear, and it was later borrowed for to reply.
How it is used
- To / toward a person, and correct: 对我说 (duì wǒ shuō) say to me, 对我很好 (duì wǒ hěn hǎo) is good to me; 对! (duì!) right! 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) sorry.
- Also a pair / matched: 一对 (yí duì) a couple, 对面 (duìmiàn) the opposite side; 对于 (duìyú) regarding introduces a topic.
Characters built with 对
Words with 对
- 对不起duìbuqǐsorryHSK 1
- 对话duìhuàdialogueHSK 3
- 对于duìyúregardingHSK 4
- 反对fǎnduìopposeHSK 4
- 对面duìmiànoppositeHSK 4
- 对方duìfāngthe other personHSK 4
- 面对miànduìto faceHSK 4
- 对待duìdàito treatHSK 5
- 对手duìshǒuopponentHSK 5
- 对比duìbǐto contrastHSK 5
- 对象duìxiàngtargetHSK 5
- 应对yìngduìto answerHSK 5
- 相对xiāngduìrelativelyHSK 5
- 绝对juéduìabsoluteHSK 5
- 针对zhēnduìto targetHSK 5
- 对应duìyìngto correspond (to)HSK 6
- 对抗duìkàngto withstandHSK 6
- 对接duìjiēto join upHSK 6
- 对称duìchènsymmetryHSK 6
- 对立duìlìto opposeHSK 6
- 作对zuòduìto set oneself againstHSK 7
- 对付duìfuto handleHSK 7
- 对得起duìdeqǐnot to let somebody downHSK 7
- 对流duìliúconvectionHSK 7
- 对照duìzhàoto contrastHSK 7
- 对白duìbáidialogue (in a movie or a play)HSK 7
- 对联duìliánrhyming coupletHSK 7
- 对岸duì’ànopposite bank (of a body of water)HSK 8
- 对峙duìzhìto stand facing each otherHSK 8
- 对弈duìyìto play go, chess etcHSK 8
- 对牛弹琴duìniú-tánqínliterally to play the lute to a cow (idiom)HSK 8
- 对症下药duìzhèng-xiàyàoliterally to prescribe the right medicine for an illnessHSK 8
- 对策duìcècountermeasure for dealing with a situationHSK 8
- 核对héduìto checkHSK 9
- 针锋相对zhēnfēng-xiāngduìto oppose each other with equal harshnessHSK 9
Example sentences
- 你做对了。 Nǐ zuòduì le.You've done the right thing.
- 他对我挺好的。 Tā duì wǒ tǐng hǎo de.He is very kind to me.
- 妈妈对我不放心。 Māma duì wǒ bú fàngxīn.My mother is worried about me.
- 他对你表示感谢。 Tā duì nǐ biǎoshì gǎnxiè.He expressed his gratitude towards you.