How to Write 对 (duì) — Meaning “Correct / Towards / Pair”

Imagine a person raising a hand (the left part) and pointing at a tiny ruler (the right part 寸) while saying 'That is correct!' The shape of the left side also looks like a 'D' for 'duì', helping you remember the sound.

Write the left side first: horizontal hook, then a dot inside the hook, then a right-falling stroke. Next write the right side 寸: horizontal, vertical hook, and dot. A common mistake is making the left side too wide or forgetting the dot inside the hook.

寸 is just the right half of 对, meaning 'inch' or 'measure', and has no left part. 寺 (temple) has 土 (earth) on top and 寸 below, while 对 has a hand-like left side (又). So look for the left component: 对 has 又, 寺 has 土.

对 is very common in daily conversation as 'correct' or 'yes', for example saying 对 (duì) to agree. It also appears in polite expressions like 对不起 (I’m sorry) and in words like 对面 (opposite) and 对话 (dialogue), showing its use for direction and communication.

Common words containing 对 include: 对不起 (duì bù qǐ) — I'm sorry / Excuse me; 对面 (duì miàn) — Opposite; across.; 对话 (duì huà) — Dialogue; conversation..