Comparing "guanyu" "duiyu" and "zhiyu"

The differences between 关于 (guānyú), 对于 (duìyú), and 至于 (zhìyú) can be confusing. They all have similar meanings like "concerning", "regarding" or "as for." Learn what they are in this article!

关于 emphasizes range

关于 usually points to a range or scope. It can be used in a few ways: as an adverb or adverbial clause, as an attributive modifier or it can appear as part of the title of an article.

Structure 1

As an adverb/adverbial clause, it can only be placed before the subject.

关于 + involved object, Subject + Predicate Part

Examples

• 关于 汉语，我 只 能 说：“这是太难了。”As for Chinese, I can only say, "This is too difficult.
• 关于 她，我 还 有 很 多 问题 要 问。As for her, I still have a lot of questions that I need to ask.

Structure 2

As an attributive modifier, it is usually placed after the verb, and you should always add a 的.

关于 + Modifier + 的 + Noun

Examples

• 你 有 关于 这 次 会议 的 PPT 吗？Did you have anything to do with this meetings Powerpoint?
• 这 是 一 份 关于 中国 市场 的 报告，请 你 看 一下。This is a report about the Chinese markets. Please take a look at it.

Structure 3

It can also be used in the title of an article.

关于 + Modifier + 的 + Noun.

关于 + involved object

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 vacations.

对于 emphasizes the object referred to

对于 usually emphasizes the thing that it is pointing to. Usually where you use 对 you can use 对于.

Structure

As an adverb or adverbial clause, you can place if before or after the subject. It cannot be an attributive modifier.

Subject + 对于 + Modifier + Predicate

对于 + Modifier, Subject + Predicate

Examples

• 对于 这 种 人，就 不 该 跟 他们 讲 道理。As for this kind of person, you are not supposed to reason with them.
• 对于 电脑，我 什么 都 不 懂。I don't understand anything about computers.
• 我 对于 电脑 什么 都 不 懂。I don't understand anything about computers.

Special conditions

Sometimes, 关于 and 对于 don't have any differences at all, however those instances are few. For example:

Examples

• 对于 这个问题，我没有意见。As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.
• 关于 这个问题，我没有意见。As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.
• 对于 这个话题，我觉得没什么可以讨论的。For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.
• 关于 这个话题，我觉得没什么可以讨论的。For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.

至于 can change the topic

Structure

As a preposition, it points to another topic, and emphasizes changing the subject of conversation.

至于 + Topic , Subject + VP

Examples

• 我们 要 开始 这 个 项目 了，至于 什么 时候 开始，还 没 定。We're going to start this project, but we still haven't decided when.
• 至于 这 个 问题，我们 还 需要 进一步 讨论。For this problem, we need a further discussion.

至于 can also emphasize degree

Structure

As an adverb, it expresses "having reached a certain degree or step." After it you can link it to words or phrases that describe degree. You can also say 至于 by itself or use 不至于.

（不）至于 + Degree

Examples

• 这 点 小 事情，至于 这么 生气 吗？With such a mall thing, why are you so angry?
• 我 是 不 高兴，但 不至于 不 跟 你 说话。I'm not happy, but not to the point that I won't talk with you.

Examples of right and wrong sentences

• 你 关于 这 个 问题 怎么 看？
• 关于 这 个 问题， 你 怎么 看？
• 关于 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？
• 对于 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？

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 是 再 等等。My opinion towards the Chinese markets is that we still don't understand. The best thing is to wait some more.
• 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 problem 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

• 对外汉语教学语法释疑201例 (对于 vs 关于 p.203, 关于vs 至于 p.207) →buy

• 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (关于vs 对于 p.240, 至于 p.683) →buy

• 现代汉语虚词例释 (关于 vs 对于 p.211, 至于p.651)

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• 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (p. 98) →buy

Dictionaries

• 现代汉语词典（第5版） (关于p.501，对于 p.346，至于 p.1755) →buy

HSK5