对……说
Reach for this when you want to mark who someone is speaking to — 'say [something] to [someone].' The default Chinese way to attach an addressee to a speech verb. 对 names the listener; 说 (or sometimes 讲) is the speaking verb. Everyday register, used constantly in storytelling, reported speech, and basic conversation. Note: 对 here is the preposition meaning 'toward/to,' not the adjective meaning 'correct.'
Structure
Subject + 对 + [listener] + 说 + [what was said / quoted speech].
duì ... shuō
How to Think About It
Think of 对 as an arrow pointing your words at someone. In English, 'to' comes after the verb ('I said to him'); in Chinese, 对 comes before. So the listener is positioned before the speaking verb, not after. The mental order is: Speaker → faces listener (对) → speaks (说). Without 对, 说 just hangs in the air with no addressee.
Examples
他对我说：明天见。
Tā duì wǒ shuō: míngtiān jiàn.
He said to me: see you tomorrow.
妈妈对孩子说：早点睡觉。
Māma duì háizi shuō: zǎo diǎn shuìjiào.
The mother said to her child: go to bed early.
老师对我们说，明天有考试。
Lǎoshī duì wǒmen shuō, míngtiān yǒu kǎoshì.
The teacher told us there's a test tomorrow.
我想对你说一件事。
Wǒ xiǎng duì nǐ shuō yí jiàn shì.
I want to tell you something.
他对小红说话。
Tā duì Xiǎohóng shuōhuà.
He's speaking to Xiaohong.
老师对学生笑了。
Lǎoshī duì xuésheng xiào le.
The teacher smiled at the students.
妈妈对我说不要哭。
Māma duì wǒ shuō bú yào kū.
Mom said to me, don't cry.
Common Mistake
Learners put the listener after 说, copying English word order ('I said to him' → 我说对他). In Chinese, the listener goes before the verb, marked by 对.
我说对他：你好。
我对他说：你好。
Don't Confuse With
跟...说
Near-synonym, slightly more conversational. 跟 emphasizes mutual exchange; 对 emphasizes direction (you speak AT or TO someone). Both are common in speech.
告诉 + [listener] + [content]
'Tell' — uses no preposition at all. The listener goes directly after the verb (告诉他一件事). Different verb, different structure.
对 + Noun + Adjective
Different 对 meaning 'regarding / toward' (他对我很好). No 说 involved — this 对 marks attitude or relationship, not address.
跟 + Person + 说话
Means 'speak WITH someone' — implies dialogue and equal participation. 对 is more one-directional ('speak AT/TO'). For chatting, prefer 跟; for delivering a message at someone, prefer 对.
给 + Person + Verb
Marks the RECEIVER of a benefit or transfer — '给他打电话' (call him), '给妈妈做饭' (cook for mom). Use 给 when something is being delivered TO the person; use 对 when you're aiming an utterance or emotion AT them.
Practice
Fill in: 我____他____：谢谢。
Show answer
对, 说
Translate to Chinese: She said to me: I'm tired.
Show answer
她对我说：我累了。
Arrange: 对 / 说 / 老师 / 学生 / ：/ 安静 / 请
Show answer
老师对学生说：请安静。
Use 对...说 to report something someone said to you today.
Show answer
我朋友对我说，他下个月要去北京。
他 ___ 我说: '你好!'
Show answer
对
妹妹对妈妈 ___ 了。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 2 Fluentide episodes:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 对……说 in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this pattern shows up again and again in real context. The transcript marks it, the audio drills it. Free to start, no card.