对 (duì) means "correct, to, to face" with 5 strokes, radical 寸 (inch), HSK 1 on the new exam.
Pronunciation
Meaning
Primary: correct
Other meanings:
- to
- to face
Etymology
Oracle-bone origin
The oracle-bone form of 對 (traditional) shows a hand (又) holding up a branching object, often interpreted as a lampstand with multiple tiers or a ceremonial implement presented upward. Some scholars read the left component as a notched ritual object being offered; the consistent element is the hand below presenting something upward in response to a superior. The simplified form 对 replaces the upper component with 又 over 寸, losing the original pictographic detail.
Form evolution
Bronze inscriptions keep the branching upper element clearly visible with the hand 又 or 寸 beneath. Seal script regularises the upper portion into a dense lattice of horizontals with 寸 below, giving the familiar 對 form. Clerical script flattens the lattice into straight strokes, and the 20th-century simplification collapses the entire left side to 又, producing modern 对.
How the meaning evolved
The earliest meaning was to respond or answer a superior, especially in ritual or court context, which extended to facing and then to being paired with. From 'facing one another' came the modern senses of 'correct' (matching what is expected), 'pair', and the preposition 'toward'. The measure-word use for pairs (一对) preserves the pairing sense directly.
Cultural note
对联, the paired vertical scrolls hung on doorways at Lunar New Year, rely on the pairing sense: two lines of equal length with matched tones and parallel grammar. Learners often confuse 对 'correct' with 是 'to be'; 对 is an evaluation of correctness, while 是 is copular identity.
Mnemonic
A hand meets a measure — correct, facing
Decomposition
Breaking a character into its components makes it far easier to recall. Each component above links to its own detail page.
Basic info
| Pinyin | duì |
| Meanings | correct, to, to face |
| Stroke count | 5 strokes |
| Radical | 寸 (#41: inch) |
| New HSK exam | Recognise at HSK 1, write by hand at HSK 1-2 |
| Frequency | #12 most common |
Example sentences
Words containing 对
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | HSK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 对 | duì | correct, to | HSK 1 |
| 对不起 | duìbùqǐ | sorry | HSK 1 |
| 对于 | duìyú | about | HSK 4 |
| 对话 | duìhuà | dialogue | HSK 3 |
| 对面 | duìmiàn | Opposite side | HSK 4 |
| 反对 | fǎnduì | Opposition | HSK 4 |
| 对比 | duìbǐ | Contrast | HSK 5 |
| 对待 | duìdài | treat | HSK 5 |
| 对手 | duìshǒu | Opponent | HSK 5 |
| 绝对 | juéduì | Absolutely | HSK 5 |
| 面对 | miànduì | Face | HSK 4 |
| 对方 | duìfāng | the other party | HSK 4 |
| 对象 | duìxiàng | object | HSK 5 |
| 相对 | xiāngduì | Relative | HSK 5 |
| 针对 | zhēnduì | aim at | HSK 5 |
| 不对 | bùduì | not right, incorrect | |
| 敌对 | díduì | hostile, antagonistic | |
| 对岸 | duì'àn | opposite bank, other side | HSK 7-9 |
Related characters
Similar meaning (abstract)
On the new HSK 1 exam
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.