Comparing "guanyu" and "duiyu"
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Level
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Similar to
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Used for
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Keywords
关于 (guānyú) and 对于 (duìyú) seem similar, since both of these prepositions are used to point to specific people or things. However, when taking a closer look, the things they discuss and the angles they take are different.
Contents
Different Points of Emphasis
Examples with 对于
对于 points to an object being specifically referred to, and usually the speaker has adopted a certain attitude or has come to some kind of conclusion about the person or object.
- 对于 那 个 人 我 并 不 了解。As for that person, I just don't know him very well at all.
- 对于 我们 的 工作 表现,老板 很 满意。The boss is very satisfied with our work performance.
- 对于 这 件 事情 他 没什么 看法。He doesn't really have any opinion about this matter.
Examples with 关于
关于 names a topic, and often emphasizes a range, then introduces a comment related to it.
- 他 昨天 发表 了 一个 关于 中国 经济 的 演讲。Yesterday he made a speech about the Chinese economy.
- 我 需要 写 一 篇 关于 中美 文化 差异 的 文章。I need to write an article about the differences between Chinese and American culture.
- 关于 你 辞职 的 申请,公司 还 在 考虑。With regards to your application for resignation, the company is still considering it.
- 关于 孩子 的 教育,她 跟 丈夫 的 看法 很 不 一样。On children's education, her opinion is very different from her husband's.
Using 关于 in a Formal Way
关于 (guānyú) can also be used in the title of an article.
Examples
- 关于 部门 调整 和 人事 安排 "Regarding Department Adjustments and Human Affairs"
- 关于 新年 放假 的通知 A Notification Regarding New Year Holidays
Situations Where 关于 and 对于 Are Interchangeable
When the point emphasized is pretty clear (whether it be a range or a specific thing), then you can use either.
- 关于 这 份 决议 ,大家 还 有 什么 补充 吗 ?Is there anything that anyone wants to add to this decision?
- 对于 这个 问题 ,你们 还 有 什么 意见 ?As for this issue, what other thoughts do you all have?
Example Dialog
- A: 我们 今天 的 会议 内容 是 讨论 一下 关于 开发 中国 市场 的 问题。The content of today's meeting is a discussion about the problems in developing China's markets.
- B: 我 的 意见 是 对于 中国 市场 我们 还 不 了解,最好 再 等等。My opinion towards the Chinese markets is that we still don't understand. The best thing is to wait a bit longer.
- A: 对于 是 不 是 开发 中国 市场 我们 已经 决定 了,现在 的 问题 是 什么 时候 开发。We've already decided about developing the markets, the issue now is when to start.
- B:那么,关于 这 个 议题,我 没有 什么 可 说 的 了。Then, as for this topic, I have nothing more to say.
Sources and further reading
Books
- HSK Standard Course 4下 (pp. 20) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- 对外汉语教学语法释疑201例 (pp. 202) [ →buy]
- New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 61) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
Dictionaries
- 现代汉语词典(第5版) (pp. 501, 346) 卓越汉语-公司实战篇 →buy