对

• Pinyin: duì
• Hanzi breakdown: 对 = simplified from 對, originally depicting matching or facing — correct, right

Meaning

Correct; right; yes. Used to affirm that something is accurate or proper.

As an adjective: correct (你说得对, you're right). As a preposition: toward, to (对我说, say to me). As an interjection: yes, that's right (对，就是这样). Also appears in compounds like 对不起 (sorry) and 对面 (opposite side).

Examples

1. 你说得对。 You're right.
2. 对，就是这个。 Yes, it's this one.
3. 这个答案是对的。 This answer is correct.

Usage Guide

Context: affirmation, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 对，我是中国人。(Yes, I am Chinese.)
• 你做得很对。(You did the right thing.)

Don't Say

• 对不对 used repeatedly as filler (Overusing 对不对 as a tag question sounds unnatural — vary with 是不是 or 好不好)

Origin & History

Originally meant 'to face, to match' — when two things match, they are correct. The traditional form 對 shows a hand holding something to match against.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal