对攻 (duì gōng) — (verb) to attack each other, to exchange attacks; (noun) a mutual attack, an exchange of attacks

Definition

A sports/chess term for both sides attacking each other at the same time — neither defending. Compare 进攻 (one side attacking) and 防守 (defending).

verb
to attack each otherto exchange attacks
noun
a mutual attackan exchange of attacks

Examples

  • 对攻，。
    Bǐ sài zhōng shuāng fāng duì gōng, chǎng miàn fēi cháng jī liè.
    In the match, the two sides attacked each other, and the scene was very intense.
  • 对攻。
    Zhè chǎng duì gōng chí xù le bàn gè xiǎo shí.
    This mutual attack lasted half an hour.
  • 对攻，。
    Zài xiàng qí duì gōng zhōng, tā xuǎn zé le zhǔ dòng jìn gōng.
    In the chess exchange of attacks, he chose to take the initiative and attack.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

对duìmutual
攻gōngattack

对 (mutual) and 攻 (attack) combine to mean attacking each other.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 對; 对 is its simplified writing.

For the traditional form 對, the shape comes from an early drawing of 丵 (a digging tool), 土 (earth), and 又 (a hand); it may have meant developing land.

Open 对 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
攵Written in full as攴pūhand holding a tool or weapon
Sound part声符shēngfú
工
工gōng攻gōng
Same sound today

攻 puts 工, which gives the pronunciation, beside 攵, a hand holding a tool or weapon.

Open 攻 →

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