对手 (duìshǒu)

对手 refers to an opponent, rival, or competitor in a contest, competition, or conflict.

Meanings

[noun] opponent; rival; competitor; adversary

Example Sentences

他是我见过的最强的对手。 Tā shì wǒ jiànguò de zuì qiáng de duìshǒu. He is the strongest opponent I have ever faced.

了解对手的弱点是赢得比赛的关键。 Liǎojiě duìshǒu de ruòdiǎn shì yíngdé bǐsài de guānjiàn. Understanding your opponent's weaknesses is the key to winning the match.

在商场上，今天的对手可能是明天的合作伙伴。 Zài shāngchǎng shàng, jīntiān de duìshǒu kěnéng shì míngtiān de hézuò huǒbàn. In the business world, today's rival may be tomorrow's partner.

这两支球队是老对手，每次相遇都很精彩。 Zhè liǎng zhī qiúduì shì lǎo duìshǒu, měi cì xiāngyù dōu hěn jīngcǎi. These two teams are old rivals, and every time they meet it is exciting.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
强劲对手	strong/formidable opponent
老对手	old/long-standing rival
竞争对手	competitive rival
不是对手	to be no match for someone

Usage Notes

对手 is used in both competitive and conflictual contexts, from sports and business to politics and debates. The phrase 不是对手 means "to be no match for someone" and is very commonly used. 对手 generally does not carry a strongly negative connotation; it simply refers to someone you are competing against.

Memory Hook

对 means "facing/opposite" and 手 means "hand/person" -- a 对手 is the person facing you with their hand out, your opponent.