When using 对 (duì) as a [preposition](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Preposition), it is used to indicate "to" or "towards" an object or target. As with all prepositions, some care should be taken when using this particle, as usage of 对 doesn't always totally "make sense" or correspond to English at all. Basic Usage ------------------------------------------------------------- ### Structure Note that you shouldn't be plugging in just any old verb here. ### Examples Colloquial Saying ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In English we say "to someone or for someone." In Chinese, the pattern is: ### Structure The [predicate](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Predicate) part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective. Note that subject can be also placed before 对. ### Examples Special Usage ----------------------------------------------------------------- Certain verbs, especially psychological verbs, are often used with 对, which means 对 is needed if you want to add an Obj. in the structure, such as 对...感兴趣 ("to be interested in..."). In this case, 对 means "in, on, about," etc. The short list below will give a few more verbs used with 对. Check it out! - 对⋯⋯感兴趣 (gǎn xìngqù) to feel interested in - 对⋯⋯负责 (fùzé) to be responsible for - 对⋯⋯满意 (mǎnyì) to feel satisfied about - 对⋯⋯好奇 (hàoqí) to feel curious about - 对⋯⋯失望 (shīwàng) to feel disappointed about Some examples: See also ------------------------------------------------------- - [Using "xiang"](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Using_%22xiang%22) - [Using "gen"](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Using_%22gen%22) - ["For…" with "eryan"](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%22For%E2%80%A6%22_with_%22eryan%22) - [Comparing "gen" and "dui"](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Comparing_%22gen%22_and_%22dui%22) Sources and further reading --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Books - [Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Integrated_Chinese:_Level_1,_Part_2_(3rd_ed)) (pp. 153) [→buy](http://amzn.to/2femBuy) - [Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Integrated_Chinese:_Level_2,_Part_1) (pp. 151) [→buy](http://amzn.to/2fdV2l3) - [Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Modern_Mandarin_Chinese_Grammar:_A_Practical_Guide) (pp. 84, 88) [→buy](http://amzn.to/2xCpX2m) - [Boya Chinese Elementary Starter 1 (博雅汉语初经起步篇)](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Boya_Chinese_Elementary_Starter_1_(%E5%8D%9A%E9%9B%85%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%88%9D%E7%BB%8F%E8%B5%B7%E6%AD%A5%E7%AF%87)) (pp. 198) [→buy](http://amzn.to/2hbyxKi) - [Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级)](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Chinese_Grammar_-_Broken_down_into_100_items_-_Basic_and_Intermediate_Levels_(%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%AD%E6%B3%95%E7%99%BE%E9%A1%B9%E8%AE%B2%E7%BB%83_-_%E5%88%9D%E4%B8%AD%E7%BA%A7)) (pp. 313) \[ →buy\] - [卓越汉语－公司实战篇](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E5%8D%93%E8%B6%8A%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%EF%BC%8D%E5%85%AC%E5%8F%B8%E5%AE%9E%E6%88%98%E7%AF%87) (pp. 11-2, 134) \[ →buy\]