对 + Person + Verb

• 拼音: duì
• 结构: Subject + 对 + Person/Thing + Verb
• 汉字拆解: 对 = 又 (again) + 寸 (inch/measure)

含义

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.

例句

1. 你不应该对老人大声说话。
2. 她对这个问题很感兴趣。
3. 他总是对我笑。

用法指南

语境: spoken, written, everyday

语气: descriptive

正确说法

• 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。

错误说法

• 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。

起源与历史

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.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal