<p>「對」is composed of semantic「丵」(<em>picture of a large chisel</em>, and a synonym, cognate, or original form of「鑿」), semantic「土」(<em>soil</em>), and semantic「又」or「寸」(both <em>pictures of hands</em>). The chisel was used as a tool to dig at the earth, shuffle, and (re)pack soil.</p>
<p><kbd><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shang_dynasty" rel="nofollow noreferrer">商</a><br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_bone_script" rel="nofollow noreferrer">甲</a><br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/7qyux.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/7qyux.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br><a href="http://xiaoxue.iis.sinica.edu.tw/yanbian/Reference/JiaguwenReference" rel="nofollow noreferrer">佚</a>657<br><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/?bhfl=1&amp;bh=18755&amp;jgwfl=" rel="nofollow noreferrer">合集18755</a></kbd><kbd><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Zhou" rel="nofollow noreferrer">西周</a><br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_bronze_inscriptions" rel="nofollow noreferrer">金</a><br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/UY6aU.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/UY6aU.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br>方鼎<br><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/yzjwjc/?bh=2614&amp;jgwfl=" rel="nofollow noreferrer">集成2614</a></kbd><kbd><br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_seal_script" rel="nofollow noreferrer">篆</a><br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/RARiG.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/RARiG.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br><a href="https://ctext.org/library.pl?if=gb&amp;file=77389&amp;page=94" rel="nofollow noreferrer">丵部</a><br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuowen_Jiezi" rel="nofollow noreferrer">說文</a>或體</kbd><kbd>今<br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regular_script" rel="nofollow noreferrer">楷</a><br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/xEymt.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/xEymt.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br><br>　</kbd></p>
<blockquote>
<p>For reference:</p>
<p><kbd>商<br>甲<br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/wczPY.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/wczPY.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br><a href="http://xiaoxue.iis.sinica.edu.tw/yanbian/Reference/JiaguwenReference" rel="nofollow noreferrer">粹</a>18<br><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/?bhfl=1&amp;bh=32118&amp;jgwfl=" rel="nofollow noreferrer">合集32118</a></kbd><kbd>西周<br>金<br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/qJhvE.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/qJhvE.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br>大盂鼎<br><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/yzjwjc/?bh=2837&amp;jgwfl=" rel="nofollow noreferrer">集成2837</a></kbd><kbd>西周<br>金<br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ULx77.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ULx77.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br>亳鼎<br><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/yzjwjc/?bh=2654&amp;jgwfl=" rel="nofollow noreferrer">集成2654</a></kbd><kbd><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warring_States_period" rel="nofollow noreferrer">戰國</a>・<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu_(state)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">楚</a><br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo_and_wooden_slips" rel="nofollow noreferrer">簡</a>・<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu_Silk_Manuscript" rel="nofollow noreferrer">帛</a><br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/VfLFe.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/VfLFe.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br>帛乙3.8<br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu_Silk_Manuscript" rel="nofollow noreferrer">長沙子彈庫</a></kbd><kbd>今<br>楷<br><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/AVf38.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/AVf38.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br><br>　</kbd></p>
</blockquote>
<p>The action of <em>moving/shuffling/packing soil</em> &gt; <em>to develop and expand habitable land</em> is the original meaning of「對」. This usage is seen in e.g.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/?bh=36419&amp;bhfl=1" rel="nofollow noreferrer">《甲骨文合集》36419</a>:「......于東對......」(<em>expand and develop lands in the east</em>)</li>
<li>《詩・大雅・皇矣》：「帝作邦作對」(<em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian" rel="nofollow noreferrer">God</a> has expanded territories and founded states</em>)</li>
</ul>
<p>Since「對」has a whole host of old and modern meanings, it is probably easier to conceptualise most of these meanings as phonetic loans:</p>
<ul>
<li><em>To answer</em></li>
<li><em>Correct, right</em></li>
<li><em>To mix and match</em></li>
<li><em>Pair</em></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<p>More generally, the component「丵」indicates the meaning <em>using a weapon to attack something</em>:</p>
<ul>
<li>「對」, <em>to dig at soil</em>;</li>
<li>「業」, <em>to attack (another tribe/state/country)</em> &gt; <em>to expand territory and get more resources/govern more land &amp; people, to set up or expand enterprises &amp; industries</em> (創業)</li>
<li>「菐」, original form of「撲」(<em>to attack, to hit</em> 撲擊)</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p>Note,「叢」does not contain「丵」, its modern form is a egregious corruption of the original components.</p>
</blockquote>
<hr />
<p><strong>References:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>季旭昇《說文新證》</li>
<li>黃德寬《古文字譜系疏證》</li>
<li>《漢語大詞典》</li>
<li><a href="http://xiaoxue.iis.sinica.edu.tw/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">小學堂</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">國學大師</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">郭沫若《甲骨文合集》</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/yzjwjc/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">中國社會科學院考古研究所《殷周金文集成》</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="https://ctext.org/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">中國哲學書電子化計劃</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ctext.org/library.pl?if=gb&amp;res=77351" rel="nofollow noreferrer">宋・徐鉉等奉敕校定　漢・許慎《說文解字》</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-28T09:38:16.660Z
2019-09-28T09:51:08.940Z
2020-06-17T09:50:11.587Z
dROOOze
<p>well, to make a reasonable guess; have a look of <a href="http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">漢語多功能字庫</a>, please.</p>

<p>對 (u+5c0d) is a character since 甲骨文 (oracle bone script), which is composed by component "丵" (u+4e35), "土" (u+571f), &amp;  "又 - 手" (又 originally means right hand).</p>

<p>3 pictures of 對 in oracle bone script:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/QswXM.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/QswXM.png" alt="p1"></a><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/7xDhN.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/7xDhN.png" alt="p2"></a><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Rtkfa.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Rtkfa.png" alt="p3"></a></p>

<p>then, 丵 in small seal script (i can't find this one in oracle bone script at this moment)
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/VGfNh.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/VGfNh.png" alt="p4"></a></p>

<p><a href="http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/oraclePiece.php?piece=%E5%9C%9F" rel="nofollow noreferrer">土</a> in oracle bone script
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/fXPHJ.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/fXPHJ.png" alt="p5"></a></p>

<p><a href="http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/oraclePiece.php?piece=%E6%89%8B" rel="nofollow noreferrer">又 - 手</a> in oracle bone script
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/3Jhbl.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/3Jhbl.png" alt="p6"></a></p>

<p>the synopsis in <a href="http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/search.php?word=%E5%B0%8D" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this page</a> is:</p>

<pre><code>手持工具開闢土地
</code></pre>

<p>the initial meaning of 對 is "using hand (又 - 手) tools (丵) to develop land (土)".</p>

<p>later, in 金文 (bronze script), the form of 對 is slightly changed:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/UwdpH.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/UwdpH.png" alt="p7"></a><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/VKXKU.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/VKXKU.png" alt="p8"></a><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/n3xFn.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/n3xFn.png" alt="p9"></a></p>

<pre><code>闢地分疆﹒植樹於土﹒立下地界
</code></pre>

<p>the meaning of 對 at this time is "planting tree along the boundary of the newly developed land"</p>

<p>with nowadays technology, one might think of "building a fence to protect an area" (e.g. set up barbed wire fence to encircle a farm)</p>

<p>then,</p>

<pre><code>後假借為應對、應答之意
</code></pre>

<p>對 was "borrowed" to have the meaning of "response", "reply" or "answer"; which matches of the first two explanations in 國語辭典</p>

<p><a href="http://dict.revised.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/cbdic/gsweb.cgi?o=dcbdic&amp;searchid=W00000002366" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://dict.revised.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/cbdic/gsweb.cgi?o=dcbdic&amp;searchid=W00000002366</a></p>

<p>imo, chopping "對" into "業" &amp; "寸"; errh . . . . "off course" :(</p>

<p>imo, quoting "帝作邦作對" to support the above meaning is appealing.</p>

<p>here's the poem <a href="http://ctext.org/book-of-poetry/huang-yi/zh?en=on" rel="nofollow noreferrer">皇矣 ( with James Legge's english translation)</a></p>

<pre><code>作之屏之﹒其菑其翳
脩之平之﹒其灌其栵
啟之辟之﹒其檉其椐
攘之剔之﹒其檿其柘
</code></pre>

<p>verses in the second group is, opened up, made clearing in forest, paved the area. </p>

<p>then, in third group:</p>

<pre><code>帝省其山﹒柞棫斯拔﹒松柏斯兌
</code></pre>

<p><a href="http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/search.php?word=%E6%9F%9E" rel="nofollow noreferrer">柞</a> has the meaning of "chop down trees"</p>

<pre><code>帝作邦作對
</code></pre>

<p><a href="http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/search.php?word=%E9%82%A6" rel="nofollow noreferrer">邦</a> has the meaning of "planting tree as boundary", similar to 對. imo, "作邦作對" is rhetoric,  a "writing in pair". in modern chinese, we still have the saying: <a href="http://dict.revised.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/cbdic/gsweb.cgi?o=dcbdic&amp;searchid=Z00000139573" rel="nofollow noreferrer">作威作福</a>, or, <a href="http://dict.revised.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/cbdic/gsweb.cgi?o=dcbdic&amp;searchid=Z00000139480" rel="nofollow noreferrer">作福作威</a></p>

<p>next, <a href="http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/search.php?word=%E6%A5%AD" rel="nofollow noreferrer">業</a> is character since bronze script, which is a 象形字 (pictogram) of "rack for hanging bell, musical instruments". here're 2 samples of 業:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/kGKqj.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/kGKqj.png" alt="p10"></a><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/7Ufkx.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/7Ufkx.png" alt="p11"></a></p>

<p>imo, 業 is, unlikely, derived from 對 or 丵.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-29T06:25:48.007Z
`the meaning of 對 at this time is "planting tree along the boundary of the newly developed land"` Are there any examples in old texts where this definition is supported by the context, or is it just a conjecture based on the character components?
Peter Olson
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-29T07:09:42.777Z
The Classic of Poetry（詩經）has the line, 「帝作邦作對」.
sazarando
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-29T07:40:43.170Z
According to a  commentary on the Classic of Poetry on Google Books（詩經今註今譯）, the word 對 in this usage refers to a "pair" of wise princes, namely 太伯 and 王李．
sazarando
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-29T13:51:08.280Z
@peter olson, @sazarando; answer edited, it's hard to write long in comment
水巷孑蠻
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-30T02:35:14.983Z
Once again, I really like the link you added. I have a couple questions about your additions. I'll put them in separate comments below...
sazarando
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-30T02:39:05.577Z
1) The 柞 in 柞棫斯拔 is part of the name of a tree（柞棫）isn't it? Can you share a reference for the meaning, "chop down trees"?
sazarando
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-30T02:42:31.077Z
2) 邦 is also identified as a 形声 character in the 説文解字, which indicates that it's origin would not be from planting trees. Can you share another reference for the meaning of "planting trees"?
sazarando
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-30T02:52:59.833Z
3) The reference my answer shows the Oracle Bone Script version of 業 which is almost identical to the left side of the Oracle Bone Script character for 對. However, are you aware of any references that would show that 業 is actually a newer character than 對?
sazarando
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-30T02:58:44.540Z
4) The Classic of Poetry contains many uses of 對. I get the feeling that most of these uses are for the meaning "facing towards (each other)" or "pair of things". Do you know if some of those other uses are for the meaning "planting trees" or "making borders" instead?
sazarando
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-30T03:03:08.143Z
1. the synopsis of the link i provided of 柞. if you treat 柞棫 as trees, it should be two different kinds of tree; also, read the last sentence of elaboration of the same link.
水巷孑蠻
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-30T03:10:25.883Z
2. also, the link i provided for 邦 read the synopsis :) some experts think it's the meaning of oracle bone script. well, i can read literary chinese, familiar with traditional chinese; that i can provide info solely by reading page.
水巷孑蠻
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-30T03:12:55.660Z
Let us [continue this discussion in chat](http://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/41847/discussion-between-sazarando-and-).
sazarando
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-29T03:49:03.113Z
2016-06-29T13:48:42.190Z
2016-06-29T13:48:42.190Z
水巷孑蠻
<p>I don't think there is a real consensus on this, but it seems to be a 会意-type character where the left side is a shortened form of 業.</p>
<p>The meaning of the character may be built up from the combination of these two elements:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.kanjinetworks.com/eng/kanji-dictionary/online-kanji-etymology-dictionary.cfm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">業</a></strong> - a pictograph representing a kind of stand for musical instruments <strong>facing one another</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/search.php?word=%E5%B0%8D" rel="nofollow noreferrer">寸</a></strong> - as a marker of <strong>action</strong> as with a hand</li>
</ul>
<p>Source: 学研漢字源 (2006年出版)</p>
<p>Oracle Bone Script Examples:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Oracle Bone Script for <strong>「業」</strong> is - <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/IOGSr.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/IOGSr.png" alt="業" /></a></p>
<p>Oracle Bone Script for <strong>「對」</strong> is <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Uvadg.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Uvadg.png" alt="對" /></a></p>
</blockquote>
<p>So assuming this explanation, the character would have been composed to call to mind a word describing an action similar to what would happen when a person places musical instruments into a stand facing one another.</p>
<p>As you suspected, I wasn't able to find any source that indicated that any part of this character is used for sound.</p>
<h2>UPDATE:</h2>
<p>The Chinese publication「字源」mentions several issues with determining the etymology of this character in particular. While there are many theories proposed, none of them has gained a consensus because more research is required.</p>
<p>You can view the 字源 entry for 對 here at: <a href="http://www.guoxuedashi.com/kangxi/pic.php?f=ziyuanlxq&amp;p=200" rel="nofollow noreferrer">www.guoxuedashi.com</a></p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/TEIL4.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/TEIL4.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-28T14:33:31.823Z
寸 - is a depiction of an action of "pressing (a finger against a wrist vein)"
coobit
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-28T07:18:56.280Z
2016-07-05T05:54:55.817Z
2020-06-17T09:50:11.587Z
sazarando
<p>I've been studying the etymology of characters lately, and I'm stuck trying to figure out how 对/對 is formed.</p>

<p>It is apparently a compound of 丵 (zhuó; grass, bush) and 寸 (cùn; inch, thumb), plus an extra horizontal stroke at the bottom left of 對, which various sources have different explanations as coming from 口, 士, or 土.</p>

<p>Neither the modern nor Old Chinese pronunciations of 對 (/tuːbs/) resemble any of the possible components: 丵 (/zroːwɢ/), 寸 (/shuːns/), 口 (/kʰoːʔ/), 士 (/zrɯʔ/), 土 (/l̥ʰaːʔ/). This seems to indicate that 對 is not a phonosemantic compound (形声).</p>

<p>But it also doesn't seem to be an associative compound (会意) either, since none of the components seem to be related to any of the meanings of 對.</p>

<p>So how is 對 formed?</p>

<etymology><glyph-origin>
What is the origin of the character 对/對?
# What is the origin of the character 对/對?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-06-28)

I've been studying the etymology of characters lately, and I'm stuck trying to figure out how 对/對 is formed.

It is apparently a compound of 丵 (zhuó; grass, bush) and 寸 (cùn; inch, thumb), plus an extra horizontal stroke at the bottom left of 對, which various sources have different explanations as coming from 口, 士, or 土.

Neither the modern nor Old Chinese pronunciations of 對 (/tuːbs/) resemble any of the possible components: 丵 (/zroːwɢ/), 寸 (/shuːns/), 口 (/kʰoːʔ/), 士 (/zrɯʔ/), 土 (/l̥ʰaːʔ/). This seems to indicate that 對 is not a phonosemantic compound (形声).

But it also doesn't seem to be an associative compound (会意) either, since none of the components seem to be related to any of the meanings of 對.

So how is 對 formed?

**Tags:** etymology, glyph-origin

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-09-28. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

「對」is composed of semantic「丵」(*picture of a large chisel*, and a synonym, cognate, or original form of「鑿」), semantic「土」(*soil*), and semantic「又」or「寸」(both *pictures of hands*). The chisel was used as a tool to dig at the earth, shuffle, and (re)pack soil.

`商  
甲  
![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/7qyux.png)  
佚657  
合集18755``西周  
金  
![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/UY6aU.png)  
方鼎  
集成2614` `篆  
![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/RARiG.png)  
丵部  
說文或體``今  
楷  
![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/xEymt.png)`

> For reference:
>
> `商  
> 甲  
> ![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/wczPY.png)  
> 粹18  
> 合集32118``西周  
> 金  
> ![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/qJhvE.png)  
> 大盂鼎  
> 集成2837``西周  
> 金  
> ![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ULx77.png)  
> 亳鼎  
> 集成2654``戰國・楚  
> 簡・帛  
> ![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/VfLFe.png)  
> 帛乙3.8  
> 長沙子彈庫``今  
> 楷  
> ![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/AVf38.png)`

The action of *moving/shuffling/packing soil* > *to develop and expand habitable land* is the original meaning of「對」. This usage is seen in e.g.

* [《甲骨文合集》36419](http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/?bh=36419&bhfl=1):「......于東對......」(*expand and develop lands in the east*)
* 《詩・大雅・皇矣》：「帝作邦作對」(*[God](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tian) has expanded territories and founded states*)

Since「對」has a whole host of old and modern meanings, it is probably easier to conceptualise most of these meanings as phonetic loans:

* *To answer*
* *Correct, right*
* *To mix and match*
* *Pair*

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More generally, the component「丵」indicates the meaning *using a weapon to attack something*:

* 「對」, *to dig at soil*;
* 「業」, *to attack (another tribe/state/country)* > *to expand territory and get more resources/govern more land & people, to set up or expand enterprises & industries* (創業)
* 「菐」, original form of「撲」(*to attack, to hit* 撲擊)

> Note,「叢」does not contain「丵」, its modern form is a egregious corruption of the original components.

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**References:**

* 季旭昇《說文新證》
* 黃德寬《古文字譜系疏證》
* 《漢語大詞典》
* [小學堂](http://xiaoxue.iis.sinica.edu.tw/)
* [國學大師](http://www.guoxuedashi.com/)
  + [郭沫若《甲骨文合集》](http://www.guoxuedashi.com/jgwhj/)
  + [中國社會科學院考古研究所《殷周金文集成》](http://www.guoxuedashi.com/yzjwjc/)
* [中國哲學書電子化計劃](https://ctext.org/)
  + [宋・徐鉉等奉敕校定　漢・許慎《說文解字》](https://ctext.org/library.pl?if=gb&res=77351)


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### Answer by username_2 on 2016-06-29. Score: 5

well, to make a reasonable guess; have a look of 漢語多功能字庫, please.
對 (u+5c0d) is a character since 甲骨文 (oracle bone script), which is composed by component "丵" (u+4e35), "土" (u+571f), &  "又 - 手" (又 originally means right hand).
3 pictures of 對 in oracle bone script:

then, 丵 in small seal script (i can't find this one in oracle bone script at this moment)

土 in oracle bone script

又 - 手 in oracle bone script

the synopsis in this page is:
手持工具開闢土地

the initial meaning of 對 is "using hand (又 - 手) tools (丵) to develop land (土)".
later, in 金文 (bronze script), the form of 對 is slightly changed:

闢地分疆﹒植樹於土﹒立下地界

the meaning of 對 at this time is "planting tree along the boundary of the newly developed land"
with nowadays technology, one might think of "building a fence to protect an area" (e.g. set up barbed wire fence to encircle a farm)
then,
後假借為應對、應答之意

對 was "borrowed" to have the meaning of "response", "reply" or "answer"; which matches of the first two explanations in 國語辭典
http://dict.revised.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/cbdic/gsweb.cgi?o=dcbdic&searchid=W00000002366
imo, chopping "對" into "業" & "寸"; errh . . . . "off course" :(
imo, quoting "帝作邦作對" to support the above meaning is appealing.
here's the poem 皇矣 ( with James Legge's english translation)
作之屏之﹒其菑其翳
脩之平之﹒其灌其栵
啟之辟之﹒其檉其椐
攘之剔之﹒其檿其柘

verses in the second group is, opened up, made clearing in forest, paved the area. 
then, in third group:
帝省其山﹒柞棫斯拔﹒松柏斯兌

柞 has the meaning of "chop down trees"
帝作邦作對

邦 has the meaning of "planting tree as boundary", similar to 對. imo, "作邦作對" is rhetoric,  a "writing in pair". in modern chinese, we still have the saying: 作威作福, or, 作福作威
next, 業 is character since bronze script, which is a 象形字 (pictogram) of "rack for hanging bell, musical instruments". here're 2 samples of 業:

imo, 業 is, unlikely, derived from 對 or 丵.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: `the meaning of 對 at this time is "planting tree along the boundary of the newly developed land"` Are there any examples in old texts where this definition is supported by the context, or is it just a conjecture based on the character components?  
> **username_3**: The Classic of Poetry（詩經）has the line, 「帝作邦作對」.  
> **username_3**: According to a  commentary on the Classic of Poetry on Google Books（詩經今註今譯）, the word 對 in this usage refers to a "pair" of wise princes, namely 太伯 and 王李．  
> **username_2**: @peter olson, @sazarando; answer edited, it's hard to write long in comment  
> **username_3**: Once again, I really like the link you added. I have a couple questions about your additions. I'll put them in separate comments below...  
> **username_3**: 1) The 柞 in 柞棫斯拔 is part of the name of a tree（柞棫）isn't it? Can you share a reference for the meaning, "chop down trees"?  
> **username_3**: 2) 邦 is also identified as a 形声 character in the 説文解字, which indicates that it's origin would not be from planting trees. Can you share another reference for the meaning of "planting trees"?  
> **username_3**: 3) The reference my answer shows the Oracle Bone Script version of 業 which is almost identical to the left side of the Oracle Bone Script character for 對. However, are you aware of any references that would show that 業 is actually a newer character than 對?  
> **username_3**: 4) The Classic of Poetry contains many uses of 對. I get the feeling that most of these uses are for the meaning "facing towards (each other)" or "pair of things". Do you know if some of those other uses are for the meaning "planting trees" or "making borders" instead?  
> **username_2**: 1. the synopsis of the link i provided of 柞. if you treat 柞棫 as trees, it should be two different kinds of tree; also, read the last sentence of elaboration of the same link.  
> **username_2**: 2. also, the link i provided for 邦 read the synopsis :) some experts think it's the meaning of oracle bone script. well, i can read literary chinese, familiar with traditional chinese; that i can provide info solely by reading page.  
> **username_3**: Let us [continue this discussion in chat](http://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/41847/discussion-between-sazarando-and-).  

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### Answer by username_3 on 2016-06-28. Score: 0

I don't think there is a real consensus on this, but it seems to be a 会意-type character where the left side is a shortened form of 業.

The meaning of the character may be built up from the combination of these two elements:

* **[業](http://www.kanjinetworks.com/eng/kanji-dictionary/online-kanji-etymology-dictionary.cfm)** - a pictograph representing a kind of stand for musical instruments **facing one another**
* **[寸](http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/search.php?word=%E5%B0%8D)** - as a marker of **action** as with a hand

Source: 学研漢字源 (2006年出版)

Oracle Bone Script Examples:

> Oracle Bone Script for **「業」** is - [![業](https://i.sstatic.net/IOGSr.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/IOGSr.png)
>
> Oracle Bone Script for **「對」** is [![對](https://i.sstatic.net/Uvadg.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/Uvadg.png)

So assuming this explanation, the character would have been composed to call to mind a word describing an action similar to what would happen when a person places musical instruments into a stand facing one another.

As you suspected, I wasn't able to find any source that indicated that any part of this character is used for sound.

## UPDATE:

The Chinese publication「字源」mentions several issues with determining the etymology of this character in particular. While there are many theories proposed, none of them has gained a consensus because more research is required.

You can view the 字源 entry for 對 here at: [www.guoxuedashi.com](http://www.guoxuedashi.com/kangxi/pic.php?f=ziyuanlxq&p=200)

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/TEIL4.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/TEIL4.png)

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: 寸 - is a depiction of an action of "pressing (a finger against a wrist vein)"  

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