====== duì: 对 - To, Towards, Correct, Right, Opposite, To Face ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** dui Chinese meaning, dui pinyin, Chinese word for correct, how to use dui in Chinese, Chinese preposition dui, 对, duì, dui vs gen, correct in Chinese, to/towards in Chinese, a pair of in Chinese
  * **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!"**
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **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.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **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.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * **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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
==== As a Preposition (to, towards, for) ====
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).
==== As an Adjective (correct, right) ====
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).
==== As a Verb (to face, to match, to check) ====
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."
==== As a Measure Word (pair, couple) ====
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 Sentences =====
  * **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 **duì**zhe 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.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`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。`
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[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`.