对

對

duì

又 + 寸

HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

duì (adjective) correct; right

duì (preposition) towards; at; for

duì (verb) to face; opposite to

duì (verb) to reply; to answer

duì (noun) pair; couple

duì (verb) to match; to fit; to suit

Etymology

Simplified form of 對. Depicts a hand (寸) holding a farming tool (丵) to develop land (土). Based on the original meaning "develop land".

About

对 is the simplified form of 對, which originally combined 丵 (a farming tool), 土 (earth), and 寸 (hand) , a hand gripping a tool to work the soil, giving the original meaning "to develop land". In the modern simplified character, the left side is replaced by 又, another hand component. Over time the graph was borrowed to mean "respond" or "answer", then broadened to the physical act of facing someone or something, and later took on the adjectival sense of "correct" or "right" when a response perfectly matches.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他对我说你好。

Tā duì wǒ shuō nǐ hǎo.

He said hello to me.

我对这个游戏感兴趣。

Wǒ duì zhège yóuxì gǎn xìngqù.

I am interested in this game.

对不起，我错了。

Duìbuqǐ, wǒ cuò le.

Sorry, I was wrong.

这件事对我很重要。

Zhè jiàn shì duì wǒ hěn zhòngyào.

This matter is very important to me.

对于学习，他很认真。

Duìyú xuéxí, tā hěn rènzhēn.

Regarding study, he is very serious.

我们对比了两套方案。

Wǒmen duìbǐ le liǎng tào fāng'àn.

We compared two sets of plans.

面对困难，他从不退缩。

Miànduì kùnnán, tā cóng bù tuìsuō.

Facing difficulties, he never retreats.

他对这个复杂的问题提出了独特的见解。

Tā duì zhège fùzá de wèntí tíchū le dútè de jiànjiě.

He put forward unique insights on this complex issue.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 又

Component: 寸

Example Words