对照

• Pinyin: duì zhào
• Hanzi breakdown: 对 = correspondence; 照 = 昭 (bright) + 灬 (fire) — to illuminate and thus reveal by comparison

Meaning

To compare; to examine two or more things side by side to identify similarities and differences. Also used as a noun meaning contrast or comparison.

对照 implies a structured, point-by-point comparison, often used in academic, editorial, or reflective contexts. Key expressions: 对照检查 (compare and inspect — used in self-criticism or audits), 鲜明对照 (stark contrast), 对照原文 (check against the original text). It is more systematic than 比较 (to compare generally) and highlights the act of placing things side by side.

Examples

1. 编辑将译文与原文仔细对照，发现了数处语义偏差，要求译者修改。 The editor carefully compared the translation with the original and found several semantic deviations, asking the translator to revise them.
2. 将改革前后的数据对照来看，经济增长的速度差距十分悬殊。 Comparing the data from before and after the reform shows a striking gap in the pace of economic growth.
3. 他对照党章要求，认真开展自我批评，查找自身工作中存在的不足。 He measured himself against the Party constitution’s requirements, carried out serious self-criticism, and identified shortcomings in his work.

Usage Guide

Context: research, editing, self-assessment, analysis

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 研究者将两组实验结果并排对照，发现实验组与对照组之间存在显著的统计差异。(The researchers placed the results of the two experimental groups side by side for comparison and found a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups.)
• 学生在阅读古文时，应养成对照注释和译文的习惯，逐步积累文言文阅读能力。(When reading classical texts, students should develop the habit of checking annotations and translations side by side to gradually build their classical Chinese reading ability.)

Don't Say

• 这两人长得对照 — 对照 describes a structured analytical comparison, not physical resemblance; say 这两人长得很像 or 两人外貌形成鲜明对比

Origin & History

对 (facing/against) + 照 (illuminate/reflect) — to hold something up to the light and compare

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal