对
right; correct; towards; at; for; concerning; regarding; to treat (sb a certain way); to face; (bound form) opposite; facing; matching; to match together; to adjust; to fit; to suit; to answer; to reply; to add; to pour in (a fluid); to check; to compare
Closest English meanings
correct·face·pair·answer
The Calligrapher — Wáng Xīzhī 王羲之
The 'Sage of Calligraphy'; his running script has set the standard for 1,700 years.
Eastern Jin calligrapher (303–361), master of running script/cursive script/regular script — the Sage of Calligraphy; his Orchid Pavilion Preface is the most celebrated work in the tradition, and nearly every later master traces lineage to his hand. Eastern Jin dynasty
Cultural Story
对 shows two hands 又 facing each other, meaning to answer or to face. In the Zuozhuan envoys exchanged 对话 (dialogue) and rulers 面对 (confronted) rivals across the court. To 对待 (treat) a guest well was a measure of one's virtue, and 对于 (regarding) a matter the classics weighed both sides fairly.
Common words & phrases
- 对于 regarding · toward · as to
- 对方 the other party · opponent
- 面对 face · confront · be faced with
- 对话 dialogue · conversation
- 对待 treat · handle · deal with
- 对不起 sorry · excuse me · apologize
Read the story behind the character
You say 对不起 (sorry) when you bump someone, and 面对 (face) a tough deadline with coffee. Couples 对话 (dialogue) about money, while a manager must 对待 (treat, handle) each client fairly. 对于 (regarding) the new rules, everyone has an opinion, and the 对方 (other party) in a deal always wants a better price.
Own this character
Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Wáng Xīzhī 王羲之, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.