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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'the other party' with 对方 (duìfāng)

    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    Verb + 对方

    Explanation

    对方 (duìfāng) means "the other party," "the other side," or "each other" and is used to refer to the person or group on the opposite side of an interaction. It is common in both formal and informal contexts. For example, 撞见了对方 means "bumped into each other."

    Examples

    • 谈判时要尊重对方的意见。

      tánpàn shí yào zūnzhòng duìfāng de yìjiàn.

      During negotiations, you should respect the other party's opinions.

    • 她正想打电话，对方就先打过来了。

      tā zhèng xiǎng dǎ diànhuà, duìfāng jiù xiān dǎ guòlái le.

      She was about to call when the other party called first.

    • 吵架之后，双方都不愿意先跟对方道歉。

      chǎojià zhīhòu, shuāngfāng dōu bù yuànyì xiān gēn duìfāng dàoqiàn.

      After the argument, neither side was willing to apologize to the other first.

    Expressing 'the other party' with 对方 (duìfāng) | Chinese Grammar