对手

• Pinyin: duì shǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 对 = simplified from 對, meaning to face; 手 = pictograph of a hand

Meaning

Opponent; rival; competitor. Someone who competes against you in a contest, game, or other situation.

Used in sports, business, games, and any competitive context. Can be neutral or even slightly respectful — acknowledging someone as a worthy 对手 implies they are strong. Often paired with adjectives like 强大的 (powerful) or 厉害的 (formidable).

Examples

1. 他是我们队最强的对手，比赛一定很精彩。 They are our team's strongest opponent, so the match will be exciting.
2. 在这次比赛中，我遇到了一个很厉害的对手。 In this competition, I met a very formidable opponent.
3. 要想赢，首先要了解你的对手。 To win, you first need to understand your opponent.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, competition, business

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他是一个值得尊重的对手。(He is a rival worthy of respect.)
• 我们的对手实力很强。(Our opponents are very strong.)

Don't Say

• 他是我的好对手 (Don't use 对手 for friends — it specifically implies competition, not friendship; use 朋友 or 伙伴 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 对 (facing, opposing) and 手 (hand), literally 'the hand you face' — the person you contend against.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal