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作对 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
作对zuòduìto set oneself againstHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #10733, Very Hard
作对zuòduìto opposeHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #10733, Very Hard
作对zuòduìto make a pairHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #10733, Very Hard
zuòduì(zuo4dui4)zuo dui T4
  1. 1to set oneself against
  2. 2to oppose
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March 24, 2026

作对(作對)zuòduì(zuo4dui4)

作对 (zuò duì) means to oppose or set oneself against something or someone. It is commonly used in contexts where there is a disagreement, conflict, or competition between parties, often implying a deliberate choice to be contrary or confrontational.

Strokes12Frequency#10733DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the idea of '作对' can reflect the importance of harmony and avoiding direct confrontation in social interactions. However, when conflicts arise, it is often viewed as a necessary aspect of relationships, especially in competitive environments.

Memory tip

Imagine a person '作' (zuò) creating or 'making' a '对' (duì) pair of opposing forces, like two boxers in a ring facing off against each other. This visual of confrontation can help you remember the pronunciation and meaning.

Meanings of 作对

zuòduì(zuo4dui4)
1to set oneself against
2to oppose
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About 作对

作对Simplified
作對Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 作对

Quick Contrast

对抗 (duìkàng) - use 作对 when emphasizing a deliberate choice to oppose, while 对抗 focuses more on the act of confrontation itself.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 作对 with similar phrases that convey disagreement but have different connotations. It's more formal and may not be suitable for casual conversations. Common collocations include 作对某人 (oppose someone) or 作对立场 (take an opposing stance).

HSK Study Tips

While 作对 is not directly listed in HSK levels, it relates to themes of conflict and opposition found in HSK vocabulary. Students should focus on contextual usage and synonyms like 反对 (fǎn duì) to expand their understanding of opposition-related words.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 作对 in contexts where a softer disagreement is needed, such as saying '我作对你' (I oppose you) instead of '我不同意' (I disagree). Always consider the tone and context before using 作对.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 作对

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Component characters

作zuōto do
HSK 67 strokes亻
View full entry
对duìright
HSK 15 strokes寸
View full entry

How to say to set oneself against in Chinese

“to set oneself against” in Chinese is作对zuòduì

作对 (zuò duì) means to oppose or set oneself against something or someone. It is commonly used in contexts where there is a disagreement, conflict, or competition between parties, often implying a deliberate choice to be contrary or confrontational.

When to use 作对

Be cautious not to confuse 作对 with similar phrases that convey disagreement but have different connotations. It's more formal and may not be suitable for casual conversations. Common collocations include 作对某人 (oppose someone) or 作对立场 (take an opposing stance).

作对 or something close to it

对抗 (duìkàng) - use 作对 when emphasizing a deliberate choice to oppose, while 对抗 focuses more on the act of confrontation itself.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 作对 in contexts where a softer disagreement is needed, such as saying '我作对你' (I oppose you) instead of '我不同意' (I disagree). Always consider the tone and context before using 作对.

Write 作对

作
对

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Frequently asked questions about 作对

You can say, '他总是作对我' (He always opposes me) to indicate someone consistently sets themselves against you.

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