Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to a partner with 对象 (duìxiàng)

    Topic & Focus

    Explanation

    对象 (duìxiàng) commonly means "partner" or "significant other" in colloquial Chinese, referring to someone's boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse. It can also mean "target" or "object" in more formal contexts, but in everyday speech 找对象 means "to look for a partner."

    Examples

    • 你有对象了吗？什么时候带来让我们认识一下。

      nǐ yǒu duìxiàng le ma? shénme shíhou dài lái ràng wǒmen rènshi yíxià.

      Do you have a partner? When will you bring them to meet us?

    • 他最近在找对象，你帮他介绍一个吧。

      tā zuìjìn zài zhǎo duìxiàng, nǐ bāng tā jièshào yí gè ba.

      He's been looking for a partner recently; introduce someone to him.

    • 我妈天天催我找对象，烦死了。

      wǒ mā tiāntiān cuī wǒ zhǎo duìxiàng, fán sǐ le.

      My mom nags me every day to find a partner; it's so annoying.

    Referring to a partner with 对象 (duìxiàng) | Chinese Grammar