对 duì

HSK 1 Writing L2

To answer or reply; to meet a question with a matching response. Correct, right; to face or head toward; a pair or couple. Two hand-parts (又 and 寸) placed facing each other, checking that things line up.

Common Usage & Traps

  • 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) — sorry
  • 对 (duì) — correct; right
  • 不对 (bú duì) — wrong; not right
  • 对他说 (duì tā shuō) — say to him
  • 对你好 (duì nǐ hǎo) — be good to you
  • 我对他打电话 我跟他打电话

    打电话 is a back-and-forth action with someone, so use 跟.

  • 我对他去学校 我跟他去学校

    Going somewhere together is shared, so use 跟.

Why do people say 对他说 but 跟他聊天?

对 is one-way: you aim words at someone. 跟 is two-way: you interact with someone.

Use 对 when you direct something at a listener, like speaking or being nice. Use 跟 when both people are active, like chatting or going together. If both sides are involved, pick 跟. For example, 我对他说你好 means I say hi to him, but 我跟他聊天 means I chat with him.
DimensionNaturalAvoid
Saying something to someone我对他说你好我对他聊天
Chatting with someone我跟他聊天我对他聊天
Being good to someone他对你很好他跟你好 (wrong meaning)

Can I answer 对 when someone asks 你是学生吗?

No. Use 是 for yes/no questions. Use 对 for 'correct' when confirming a fact.

对 means 'correct' or 'right', not a general 'yes'. If someone asks 你是学生吗? (Are you a student?), answer 是 or 不是. If someone says 你是学生 (You are a student), you can say 对 to mean 'That's right.'
DimensionNaturalAvoid
Answering 你是学生吗?是对
Confirming 你是学生对是 (sounds like 'I am')
General yes是对

Is 对不起 only for big apologies, or can I use it for small stuff?

对不起 works for both, but 不好意思 is lighter for tiny bumps.

对不起 is the standard all-purpose sorry. It literally means 'unable to face you.' For small social bumps like squeezing past someone, 不好意思 is softer. For real mistakes, 对不起 is right.
DimensionNaturalAvoid
Small bump不好意思对不起 (too heavy)
Real mistake对不起不好意思 (too light)
Serious apology对不起不好意思 (not enough)

Appears in Stories 18 stories

《五块钱》 The Five-Yuan Gift
HSK 1 ~6 min read 414 chars
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This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.

  • 老先生 对 高先明说:“去上学吧,上车。”

  • 高先明 对 老先生说:“谢谢您!

  • 老先生 对 高先明说:“我说不要给我。

  • 高先明 对 安小语说:“去上学吧,上车。”

  • 安小语非常高兴, 对 高先明说:“谢谢你!

  • 高先明 对 她说:“不要给我。

《热面条》 Hot Noodles on a Cold Night
HSK 1 ~5 min read 399 chars
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Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.

  • 大中吃好面条,都 对 老先生说:“谢谢您,面条很好吃。”

  • 老先生很高兴, 对 大中说:“不客气,多吃一点儿。”

  • 老先生 对 大中说:“你来了!

  • 老先生 对 大中说:“我知道你天天晚上都来。

《是谁要去玩?》 A Hot Day at School
HSK 1 ~4 min read 261 chars
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Join a family on a sweltering Beijing Sunday as a boy learns a funny lesson about playing outside in the summer heat. Perfect for HSK 1 learners.

  • 我的儿子 对 我说:“爸爸,我想去学校玩儿“。

  • 对不对 ,妈?”

  • 儿子 对 我说:“学校今天真的很热、很热”。

《饥饿的深意》 The Hidden Meaning of Hunger
HSK 7 ~11 min read 1243 chars
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Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.

  • 对面 做服装的老总接话说,那你还撑什么。

  • 我坐他 对面 ,看见他把那块肉夹起来,放到了骨碟边沿,跟那根早就夹过来,但其实没吃的青菜并排摆着,整整齐齐。

  • 结果第二天 对方 笑着砍了他五个点的价,一边还看着他眼睛说,看你昨天吃东西的样子就知道你这人没坏心眼,肯定没跟我们要高价,就便宜百分之五吧。

《是不是好朋友?》 Are We Good Friends? A Dinner Debate
HSK 1 ~4 min read 254 chars
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In this HSK 1 story, two old friends from Britain and China share a meal with their girlfriends. A simple question about who pays leads to a clever and funny solution.

  • 谢大中 对 大家说:“英国和中国是好朋友,是不是?”

  • 我的女朋友说:“ 对 !

《我们一家》 A Family Dinner at the Restaurant
HSK 2 ~6 min read 401 chars
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In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.

  • A: 对 。

  • A: 对 。

《七号桌的客人》 The Guest at Table Seven
HSK 1 ~5 min read 396 chars
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This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.

  • 老先生看看大中, 对 大中说:“五年前,我儿子也在这家饭店工作。

  • 他 对 老先生说:“老先生,您来了!

《你误会方便面了吗?》 Are Instant Noodles Misunderstood?
HSK 6 ~10 min read 1171 chars
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Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.

  • 对 方便面,很多人都有各种各样的消极的印象,比如没有营养、有毒,油、盐含量高等等。

  • 天天顿顿都是方便面也是 绝对 不推荐的。

《找“大白”》 Looking for Big White
HSK 1 ~5 min read 361 chars
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A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.

  • 老先生 对 白天明说:“我八十岁了,儿子和女儿都在北京工作,我一个人住在这里。

  • 白天明 对 老先生说:“老先生,我天天都来这里和您说话。

《哪里哪里!》 Where is 'Where'?
HSK 1 ~6 min read 432 chars
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Chat about where friends study Chinese while exploring 哪儿 and 哪里 across Beijing and Shanghai. Practice asking “where”, talking about “here” and “there”, and using the modest reply 哪里哪里 to accept a compliment.

  • 老包: 不对 。

  • 小米: 对 。

《这样子好吗?》 The Clever Child Who Asked for More
HSK 2 ~3 min read 189 chars
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In this funny HSK 2 story, a boy asks his father for money every day. When his father tries to teach him a lesson, the boy's clever reply will make you laugh.

  • 小钱想了想,说:”爸爸你 说得对 !

《你喜欢看老电影吗?》 Do You Like Old Movies?
HSK 2 ~3 min read 224 chars
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In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.

  • 对不起 ,我们要走了。

《你也在想我吗》 Do You Miss Me Too?
HSK 1 ~2 min read 128 chars
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This short, soothing piece is about missing someone on a rainy night. The sentences are simple and repeat often, so you can practice reading while feeling the warm emotion.

  • 我想 对你 说:今天,我很想你。

《你好和再见》 Hello and Goodbye
HSK 1 ~1 min read 46 chars
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Before you start learning Chinese, master the most important phrases: greetings. This short dialogue shows you how to say hello and goodbye, and how to respond politely.

  • 对不起 对 没关系!

《小时怎么小?》 The Small Hour Riddle
HSK 1 ~1 min read 57 chars
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This playful HSK 1 poem twists words you already know and asks how an hour can be small. Read it aloud and laugh; a fun way to practice Chinese.

  • 高兴高不高, 不对 对不起 。

《三号病房的苹果》 The Apple in Ward Three
HSK 1 ~3 min read 191 chars
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Enjoy this simple story about a patient and a mysterious apple. It shows how a small act of kindness can make someone feel at home, and you'll learn key words for feelings and daily life.

  • 谢医生 对 马家友说:“苹果不是医院给的。

《谢谢你来看我》 Rain, Thank You for Visiting Me
HSK 1 ~2 min read 152 chars
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Before you read, close your eyes and imagine a rainy afternoon. This story uses simple HSK 1 words to show how rain can become a talking friend.

  • 我 对 雨说:谢谢!

《大学者和小人物》 The Scholar and the Cookie Seller
HSK 5 ~8 min read 882 chars
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Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.

  • 胡之适仍不忘 对 他的忘年交讲杜威的哲学。

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