对 (duì) — correct; right; toward; to

对 (duì)

对 is one of the most versatile characters in Mandarin. As an adjective it means correct or right. As a preposition it means "toward" or "to" someone, introducing who an action is directed at. It also appears in the common affirmative reply 对 (correct/yes, that's right).

Meanings

1. [adjective] Correct; right. The answer or action matches what is expected.
2. [preposition] Toward; to; regarding. Introduces the person or thing that an action or attitude is directed at.
3. [interjection] Right! Correct! Used as a brief affirmative response.

Example Sentences

你说得对。 Nǐ shuō de duì. What you said is correct.

他对我很好。 Tā duì wǒ hěn hǎo. He is very good to me.

对，就是这个意思。 Duì, jiùshì zhège yìsi. Right, that's exactly the meaning.

我对这个问题不太了解。 Wǒ duì zhège wèntí bù tài liǎojiě. I don't know much about this issue.

Collocations

Memory Hook

对 looks like a cross (十) with a hand (寸). Imagine checking off a correct answer with a tick mark. When it is right, you mark it 对.