📗 Beginner — frequent in early HSK exams
Meaning
Classifier for couples, paired items, and matched sets.
🏮 Cultural Story
中文 Chinese
"对"是关于关系的量词。"一对夫妻"——两个人因为婚姻关系成为"一对"；"一对耳环"——两个耳环因为配套设计成为"一对"。"对"和"双"的区别很微妙："一双鞋"强调两只鞋可以配对穿（功能性的），"一对情侣"强调两个人之间的情感关系（关系性的）。"一对翅膀"——左翅和右翅必须同时存在才能飞，这种相互依存的关系就是"对"的本质。在婚礼上，"新人"永远是以"对"出现的。
English
**对 (duì)** is about relationships. "A married couple" — two people joined by marriage = 一对; "a pair of earrings" — two earrings designed as a set = 一对. Subtle vs 双: 双 = functional pairing (wearable pair); 对 = relational coupling (emotional bond). "A pair of wings" — left and right must coexist to fly. This interdependence is 对's essence. At weddings, the couple always appears as 一对.
💡 Memory Tip
Use 对 for couples and natural pairs: 一对夫妻 (a married couple), 一对鞋 (a pair of shoes).
Examples
Common Nouns Used With
Video Examples
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YouGlish
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Classifier for couples, paired items, and matched sets.