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对立 (duì lì) — to be opposed to each other; to be in opposition; to confront; to be antagonistic

Definition

对 describes a mutual, standing opposition between two sides (views, parties, interests) — more about the relationship than 反对 ('to object to' / actively oppose a specific thing). 相对 often pairs with a standard; 对抗 is active resistance.

verb
to be opposed to each otherto be in oppositionto confrontto be antagonistic
Easily confused

Examples

  • 对立。
    Zhè liǎng gè zhèng dǎng de lì chǎng wán quán duì lì.
    The positions of these two political parties are completely opposed.
  • 对立。
    Tā men yīn wèi lì yì wèn tí ér xiāng hù duì lì.
    They are opposed to each other over issues of interest.
  • ，对立。
    Zài tǎo lùn zhōng, shuāng fāng de guān diǎn míng xiǎn duì lì.
    In the discussion, the views of both sides were clearly opposed.

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duìopposite
立lìstand

对 gives the sense of opposite, and 立 means to stand, so the parts picture standing opposite.

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 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

立 pictures a person standing on the ground.

Open 立 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Conflict & Agreement

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