Chinese word

对象

Pronunciation

Pinyinduì xiàng

Meaning

  • nounpartner

Example

她还没有找到对象。tā hái méi yǒu zhǎo dào duì xiàng

She still hasn't found a partner.

Illustration for 对象 (partner)

More examples

他最近正在努力找对象。tā zuì jìn zhèng zài nǔ lì zhǎo duì xiàng

He has recently been trying hard to find a partner.

Core concept

A person chosen as the other half of a romantic relationship, from dating partner to possible spouse.

Common phrases

  • 找对象zhǎo duì xiàng

    find a partner

  • 结婚对象jié hūn duì xiàng

    marriage partner

  • 交往对象jiāo wǎng duì xiàng

    dating partner

Similar words

男朋友nán péng yǒu: A male romantic partner in an ongoing relationship.
女朋友nǚ péng yǒu: A female romantic partner in an ongoing relationship.
恋人liàn rén: A person who is in a romantic relationship with someone.
伴侣bàn lǚ: A long-term partner who may share a life and home with someone.

Definition in Chinese

在感情或婚姻关系中作为另一半的人，口语中常指恋人或结婚对象。zài gǎn qíng huò hūn yīn guān xì zhōng zuò wéi lìng yí bàn de rén kóu yǔ zhōng cháng zhǐ liàn rén huò jié hūn duì xiàng

Word origin

对象 (duìxiàng, "object or target") extends the older sense of something under consideration to the person chosen for a romantic relationship.

Usage tips

  • In casual conversation, this noun often appears when asking about a person's dating or marriage status, and that question can sound personal with a new acquaintance.

Other meanings

  • lovernoun
  • targetnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word