对 + Person + Verb

• Pinyin: duì
• Formation: Subject + 对 + Person/Thing + Verb
• Hanzi breakdown: 对 = 又 (again) + 寸 (inch/measure)

Meaning

The preposition 对 (duì) is placed before a person or thing to indicate the target or direction of an action. It translates roughly to 'to,' 'toward,' or 'at' in English.

The preposition 对 creates a prepositional phrase that specifies who or what the action is directed at. It commonly appears with verbs like 说 (say), 笑 (smile/laugh), 感兴趣 (be interested in), and 负责 (be responsible for). Unlike 跟 which implies mutual interaction, 对 indicates a one-directional action toward a target. Learners should not confuse 对 with 给 — 对 indicates the target of an action while 给 indicates the recipient of something given or done as a benefit.

Examples

1. 你不应该对老人大声说话。 You shouldn't speak loudly to elderly people.
2. 她对这个问题很感兴趣。 She is very interested in this question.
3. 他总是对我笑。 He always smiles at me.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 请对自己有信心。
• 她对中国文化非常了解。
• 我们应该对环境负责。

Don't Say

• 他对我说了给一个秘密。(Do not mix 对 and 给 in the same prepositional slot — use 对 for the listener and 给 separately if needed) → 他对我说了一个秘密。
• 我很对他感兴趣。(The adverb 很 should come after 对 + object, not before 对 — say 对他很感兴趣) → 我对他很感兴趣。

Origin & History

The character 对 originally meant 'to answer' or 'to respond' in classical Chinese. Its prepositional use meaning 'facing toward' developed from the sense of turning to face someone when responding, eventually generalizing to indicate the target of any action.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal