adjective / interjection HSK 2
Traditional 不對
incorrect · wrong · not right · something's wrong
Meaning
不对 means something is incorrect, wrong, or not as it should be. It can refer to factual errors, moral wrongness, or situations that feel off or abnormal. When used as an interjection, it often expresses sudden realization that something is amiss.
Usage
不对 is extremely common in everyday speech. It can be a direct correction ('That's wrong!'), express disagreement, or indicate something feels strange ('Wait, something's not right here...'). The tone and context determine whether it's a gentle correction or a strong objection. Often used with 有点 (yǒudiǎn) to soften: 有点不对 means 'something's a bit off.'
Examples
- 01你的答案不对，再想想吧。' , .Your answer is wrong, think about it again.
- 02不对，我好像把钱包忘在家里了。, .Wait, something's wrong—I think I left my wallet at home.
Characters
Common collocations
- 有点不对something's a bit off
- 不对劲something's wrong/fishy
- 说得不对said incorrectly
- 做得不对did it wrong
Antonyms
Origin
Direct negation of 对 (correct/right) using 不 (not). Simple compositional meaning.