對
correct, right, facing, opposed
Readings
On'yomi
- タイ
- ツイ
Kun'yomi
- あいて
- こた.える
- そろ.い
- つれあ.い
- なら.ぶ
- むか.う
Nanori
- つし
Meaning
對 centers on the idea of two things set against each other: facing, opposing, or matching. From this come the senses of correctness (matching a standard) and being right (fitting the situation).
Study
Etymology
對 is the traditional form of 対. It combines 丵 (a cluster) with 寸 (hand) and 口 (mouth), suggesting a hand presenting something to match or answer. The modern simplified form 対 replaces the left side with 文.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side looks like a dense thicket of plants, and the right side 寸 is a hand. Imagine holding up a tangled bunch and carefully picking out the correct matching pair—facing them against each other to see if they are right.
Reading mnemonic
For タイ, picture tying two things together to face each other: tie -> タイ, and the hand 寸 brings them into correct alignment.