duì: 对 - To, Towards, Correct, Right, Opposite, To Face

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• Summary: The Chinese word 对 (duì) is one of the most versatile and essential characters for any learner. It primarily functions as a preposition meaning “to” or “towards,” indicating the target of an action or emotion. However, it's also commonly used as an adjective meaning “correct” or “right,” a verb meaning “to face” or “to match,” and even a measure word for a “pair” or “couple.” Understanding how to use 对 (duì) is fundamental to building natural-sounding Chinese sentences, whether you're saying “I am talking to you” or simply affirming that something is “correct!”

• Pinyin (with tone marks): duì
• Part of Speech: Preposition, Adjective, Verb, Measure Word
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: A multi-functional word meaning “to/towards,” “correct/right,” “opposite,” or “a pair of.”
• In a Nutshell: Think of 对 (duì) as a word that creates alignment or correspondence. It points an action or feeling towards a specific person or thing. It confirms that a statement aligns with the facts, making it correct. It brings two things together to be matched or checked against each other. And it describes two items that form a natural pair. Its core idea is about a directed relationship between two entities.

• 对 (duì): The character's ancient form depicted a hand (又, which evolved into 寸) holding a ritual object, possibly in an act of response or reply during a ceremony. This historical root gives us the modern sense of “responding to,” “facing,” or “being opposite.” The idea of a correct response or a matching pair flows naturally from this origin of facing and answering.

• Directed Relationality: In Chinese, 对 (duì) is crucial for expressing how actions and emotions are directed. While in English we might say “he is mean,” a common Chinese construction is `他对人很凶` (tā duì rén hěn xiōng), literally “he towards people is very fierce.” This structure emphasizes that the characteristic (meanness) isn't just a general state of being, but an action or attitude specifically directed at others. This reflects a subtle cultural focus on the relational context of behavior—how one acts in relation to specific people or groups.
• Comparison to “To” in English: While “to” is a close equivalent, 对 is more specific. You use it for the target of an abstract action or feeling (e.g., being nice to someone, being interested in something). You would not use 对 for physical movement, where you would use `去 (qù)` or `到 (dào)` (e.g., “I go to the store” is `我去商店`, not `我对商店`). This highlights how Chinese grammar often separates the direction of abstract intent from the direction of physical travel.

This is its most common function. It introduces the person or thing that is the recipient of an action, emotion, or attitude.

• Structure: `Subject + 对 + Object + Verb/Adjective`
• Use: Expressing feelings, opinions, or actions directed at someone or something.
• Examples: `我对你很好` (I am good to you), `他对这个话题感兴趣` (He is interested in this topic).

Used frequently in daily conversation to agree with someone or confirm information.

• Use: As a simple, one-word answer (“Right!”) or in a sentence.
• Examples: A: `这是你的吗？` (Is this yours?) B: `对！` (Correct!). Or: `你的答案不对` (Your answer is not correct).

This usage relates to the character's origin of “facing” or “opposing.”

• Use: Checking things against each other, like answers or numbers.
• Examples: `我们来对一下答案` (Let's check the answers), `对一下时间` (Let's sync our watches). It's also part of compound words like `面对 (miànduì)`, meaning “to confront” or “to face.”

Used for things that naturally come in two's, especially people or matching objects.

• Structure: `一 + 对 + Noun`
• Examples: `一对夫妻` (a married couple), `一对耳环` (a pair of earrings).

• Example 1:
  • 他对我笑了笑。
  • Pinyin: Tā duì wǒ xiào le xiào.
  • English: He smiled at me.
  • Analysis: Here, `对` is a preposition, showing that the action of smiling is directed specifically at “me” (我).
• Example 2:
  • A: 我们明天三点见面，好吗？ B: 对，没问题！
  • Pinyin: A: Wǒmen míngtiān sān diǎn jiànmiàn, hǎo ma? B: Duì, méi wèntí!
  • English: A: Let's meet at 3 o'clock tomorrow, okay? B: Right, no problem!
  • Analysis: `对` is used as a simple, affirmative adjective to mean “correct” or “right,” confirming the plan.
• Example 3:
  • 我对海鲜过敏。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ duì hǎixiān guòmǐn.
  • English: I am allergic to seafood.
  • Analysis: A classic `对` structure. The condition of “being allergic” (过敏) is directed towards the object “seafood” (海鲜).
• Example 4:
  • 这对夫妻非常恩爱。
  • Pinyin: Zhè duì fūqī fēicháng ēn'ài.
  • English: This married couple is extremely loving.
  • Analysis: `对` functions as a measure word for the noun “married couple” (夫妻).
• Example 5:
  • 老师，我们什么时候可以对答案？
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī, wǒmen shénme shíhou kěyǐ duì dá'àn?
  • English: Teacher, when can we check the answers?
  • Analysis: Here, `对` is a verb meaning to check or match something (the answers) against a correct source.
• Example 6:
  • 运动对身体健康很重要。
  • Pinyin: Yùndòng duì shēntǐ jiànkāng hěn zhòngyào.
  • English: Exercise is very important for physical health.
  • Analysis: `对` shows the relationship or effect. The importance of exercise is directed towards or in relation to health.
• Example 7:
  • 你对这件事有什么看法？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ duì zhè jiàn shì yǒu shénme kànfǎ?
  • English: What is your opinion on this matter?
  • Analysis: `对` introduces the topic (“this matter”) that the opinion is about. It's similar to the English prepositions “on” or “regarding.”
• Example 8:
  • 请不要对着我大喊大叫。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng búyào duìzhe wǒ dà hǎn dà jiào.
  • Analysis: Please don't shout at me.
  • Analysis: The particle `着 (zhe)` is added to `对` to emphasize the ongoing, directed action of shouting. `对着` is a common combination.
• Example 9:
  • 他的态度对不对？
  • Pinyin: Tā de tàidù duì bu duì?
  • English: Is his attitude correct (or appropriate)?
  • Analysis: This uses the `A-not-A` question form (`对不对`) to ask if something is correct or not. It's a very common way to form yes/no questions with adjectives.
• Example 10:
  • 门上贴着一对红色的春联。
  • Pinyin: Mén shàng tiēzhe yí duì hóngsè de chūnlián.
  • English: A pair of red Spring Festival couplets is pasted on the door.
  • Analysis: `对` is the measure word for `春联` (chūnlián), which are poetic couplets that always come in a matching pair.

• `对 (duì)` vs. `跟 (gēn)` / `和 (hé)`: This is a major point of confusion for learners.
  • `对` is for one-way actions: `我对他说` (I said to him). The action flows in one direction.
  • `跟/和` are for reciprocal or mutual actions: `我跟/和他说` (I talked with him). This implies a two-way conversation.
  • Incorrect: `我对他聊天` (Incorrect, because chatting is mutual).
  • Correct: `我跟他聊天` (I chatted with him).
• `对 (duì)` vs. `是 (shì)`:
  • `对` means “correct.” `是` means “is/am/are/yes.”
  • To say “You are correct,” you can say `对 (duì)` or `你说得对 (nǐ shuō de duì)` or `你是对的 (nǐ shì duì de)`.
  • Incorrect: `你是对 (nǐ shì duì)`. You need the particle `的 (de)` at the end of this structure.
• `对` as “for”: Be careful when translating “for” into Chinese.
  • Use `对` when “for” means “in relation to” or “has an effect on”: `这对你身体好` (This is good for your health).
  • Use `给 (gěi)` when “for” means “for the benefit of” or giving something: `我给你买了一本书` (I bought a book for you).
  • Incorrect: `我对你买了一本书。`

• 跟 (gēn) - A preposition meaning “with” or “and,” used for reciprocal actions where `对` cannot be used.
• 向 (xiàng) - A more formal preposition also meaning “towards.” Often interchangeable with `对` for physical direction (e.g., `向/对 前走` - walk towards the front).
• 关于 (guānyú) - A preposition meaning “about,” “regarding,” or “concerning.” Used to introduce a general topic, while `对` introduces the target of a specific action or opinion.
• 正确 (zhèngquè) - A more formal, two-character adjective for “correct,” “accurate,” or “proper.”
• 对面 (duìmiàn) - Noun meaning “the opposite side” (e.g., of a street). Directly uses the “face-to-face” meaning of `对`.
• 对方 (duìfāng) - Noun meaning “the other side,” “the other party,” or “the opponent” (in a game, negotiation, or argument).
• 面对 (miànduì) - A verb meaning “to face” or “to confront” a situation or problem.
• 情侣 (qínglǚ) - Noun meaning “a romantic couple,” often counted using `一对`.
• 等于 (děngyú) - Verb meaning “to equal,” as in mathematics (2+2等于4). It relates to the “matching” concept of `对`.