对
Pattern
对 + person / topic + predicate
Key words
Core idea
对 introduces the person, thing, or topic that a feeling, attitude, judgment, or action is directed toward. It can mean “toward,” “to,” “for,” or “regarding.”
The exact English word depends on the predicate after it.
Word order note
The 对 phrase usually comes before the predicate it frames. First name the target or topic, then say the attitude, effect, or action.
Examples
老师对我们很好。
Lǎoshī duì wǒmen hěn hǎo.
The teacher is very good to us.
这个问题对我很难。
Zhè ge wèntí duì wǒ hěn nán.
This question is very difficult for me.
他对中文很有兴趣。
Tā duì Zhōngwén hěn yǒu xìngqù.
He is very interested in Chinese.
Common mistakes
Avoid
这个问题很难对我。
Use
这个问题对我很难。
The 对 phrase comes before the predicate it frames.
Seen in stories
The Apology Coupon
店长对客人说了三次对不起。
The manager says sorry to the customers three times.
The Apology Coupon
券上写着：本店对今天的混乱负责。
The coupon says: our shop is responsible for today’s confusion.
The Apology Coupon
他们对那张小小的券很感兴趣。
They are very interested in the little coupon.
The Apology Coupon
店长这才明白，大家对折扣没有那么在意。
Only then does the manager understand that people do not care so much about the discount.
The Four-Word Toast
阿姨对他说，别再找漂亮成语了，说真心话就好。
An auntie tells him not to keep searching for fancy idioms; sincere words are enough.
Show 10 more story examples
This Is for the Landlord
她写了一张纸，标题是：这是对房东说的。
She writes a note titled: this is for the landlord.
This Is for the Landlord
朋友帮她看过，觉得内容对事实很清楚，可是对人有点太硬。
Her friend has looked it over and thinks the content is clear about the facts, but a little too hard toward the person.
This Is for the Landlord
朋友帮她看过，觉得内容对事实很清楚，可是对人有点太硬。
Her friend has looked it over and thinks the content is clear about the facts, but a little too hard toward the person.
This Is for the Landlord
小芸说，她对漏水一点也不生气，只是对半夜的声音受不了。
Xiao Yun says she is not angry at the leak at all; she just cannot stand the midnight sound.
This Is for the Landlord
小芸说，她对漏水一点也不生气，只是对半夜的声音受不了。
Xiao Yun says she is not angry at the leak at all; she just cannot stand the midnight sound.
This Is for the Landlord
他对她说，自己最近照顾住院的妈妈，所以才拖到今天。
He says to her that he has recently been taking care of his hospitalized mother, so it was delayed until today.
This Is for the Landlord
房东对清单点头，还说对不起。
The landlord nods at the checklist and says sorry.
This Is for the Landlord
水龙头修好以后，小芸对朋友说，准备好的话有时也可以变温柔。
After the faucet is fixed, Xiao Yun tells her friend that prepared words can sometimes become gentle too.
This Is for the Landlord
朋友回她：“那你对房东的第二张纸，应该叫感谢信。”
Her friend replies, “Then your second note to the landlord should be called a thank-you letter.”
The Honest Guest
张先生想了想，笑着说：“嗯……这鱼对身体很好。”
Mr. Zhang thought for a moment, smiled, and said: "Hmm... this fish is very healthy."