Using "dui" with verbs

When using 对 (duì) as a preposition, it is used to indicate "to" or "towards" a object or target. As with all prepositions, some care should be taken when using this particle, as 对 is much different from when it is used as a verb, indicating that something is correct.

Basic Structure

The structure is basically:

对 + Object + Verb Phrase

Examples

Here are some examples:

• 他 对 我 笑。
• 我 要 对 你 负责。
• 她 对 我 很 客气。
• 你 为什么 对 我 有 意见 ？
• 我 对 西安 不 熟悉。
• 抽烟 对 健康 有害。

对 is also used in two set structures: 对……来说 ("for... [a person]") and 对...感兴趣 ("to be interested in...").

对……来说

The pattern is:

对 + Person + 来说

• 川菜 对 我 来说 太 辣 了。
• 对 她 来说 英语 很 容易。
• 对 我 来说 书法 很 有意思。

对……感兴趣

In English was say "to be interested in something." In Chinese, the pattern is:

对 + Object + 感兴趣

• 我 对 书法 感 兴趣。
• 谁 对 英语 很 感兴趣？
• 你 好像 对 她 不太 感兴趣。

See also

• Using "xiang"
• Using "gen"
• "For…" with "eryan"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 84, 88) →buy
• Boya Chinese Elementary Starter 1 (博雅汉语初经起步篇) (pp. 198) →buy
• Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (pp. 313) →buy