grammar structure 对

[mintaj]

校长对你的回答非常满意

I don't really understend this structure, what is going on with this 对? Can anyone tell me how can i find this grammar structure, how is it called?

[889]

You can think of it as an arrow pointing from 校长 to 你的回答. Or if you want to deal in English, you can think of it as something like "with respect to," "regarding," etc. But better to visualize than drop into English.

 

And the sentence should be parsed 校长//对/你的回答//非常满意. Since all runs together in the typical written Chinese sentence, developing a knack for parsing is really important.

[li3wei1]

I think that your answer is here (scroll down to 'Examples when to use 对 and not 跟").

I can't decide whether this sentence means "The headteacher's response to you was very satisfactory" or "The headteacher was very satisfied with your response". I think it could be interpreted either way, but I'm willing to be corrected.

 

[Jim]

1 hour ago, li3wei1 said:

I think it could be interpreted either way, but I'm willing to be corrected.

It can only be the latter AFAIK, the syntax would have to be a bit different for it to mean the former. I'm also willing to be corrected though!

[889]

I agree. Chinese like English sometimes relies on common sense and context for understanding.

 

The principal gave Tom his report card.

 

The principal gave Tom his phone number.