noun
versus; against
Used to indicate opposition or competition between two parties, as in sports matches, legal cases, or debates.
今日の試合は巨人対阪神です。
Today's game is Giants versus Tigers.
原告対被告の裁判が始まった。
The trial of plaintiff versus defendant has begun.
noun
Placed between two numbers to express a score, ratio, or vote count. Often read as 'たい' in formal contexts, but colloquially '対' may be read as 'たい' or simply implied.
試合は3対1で我々の勝ちだった。
The game ended with a score of 3 to 1, our win.
賛成320対反対180で法案が可決された。
The bill passed with 320 in favor to 180 against.
noun, used as a prefix
toward; to; with; against; anti-
Prefix-like element used in compounds to express direction, attitude, or opposition. Common in words like 対人 (interpersonal), 対米 (toward the US), 対処 (coping with), 対策 (countermeasure).
対人関係のスキルを磨く。
Polish interpersonal skills.
政府は対テロ対策を強化した。
The government strengthened anti-terrorism measures.
noun
equal footing; equal terms
Often used in the phrase 対等 (たいとう) or in expressions like 対の立場, meaning a relationship of equality. Rarely used alone; more common in compounds.
両者は対等の立場で交渉した。
Both parties negotiated on equal footing.
noun
Indicates something that is opposite or paired. Often seen in compounds like 対義語 (antonym) or 対岸 (opposite shore).
「善」の対は「悪」です。
The opposite of 'good' is 'evil'.
From Middle Chinese 對 (tuʌiH). The character originally depicted a hand holding a tool, implying 'to respond, to face'. The Japanese usage preserves the core meanings of opposition, pairing, and direction.