Difference between revisions of "Comparing "guanyu" "duiyu" and "zhiyu""

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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!
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The differences between 对于 (duìyú), and 至于 (zhìyú) can be confusing. They both 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.
 
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
关于 + Obj. + Subj. + Predicate
 
</div>
 
 
 
==== Examples ====
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
*  <em>关于</em> 汉语语法,我知道的不多。<span class="trans">As for Chinese, I know a bit.</span>
 
*  <em>关于</em> 她,我 还 有 很 多 问题 要 问。<span class="trans">As for her, I still have a lot of questions that I need to ask.</span>
 
</div>
 
 
 
=== Structure 2 ===
 
 
 
As an attributive modifier, it is usually placed after the verb, and you should always add a 的.
 
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
关于 + Modifier + 的 + Noun
 
</div>
 
 
 
==== Examples ====
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
* 你 有 <em>关于</em> 这 次 会议 的 PPT 吗?<span class="trans">Did you have anything to do with this meeting's Powerpoint?</span>
 
*  这 是 一 份 <em>关于</em> 中国 市场 的 报告,请 你 看 一下。<span class="trans">This is a report about the Chinese markets. Please take a look at it.</span>
 
</div>
 
 
 
=== Structure 3 ===
 
 
 
It can also be used in the title of an article.
 
 
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
关于 + Modifier + 的 + Noun
 
</div>
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
关于 + Obj.
 
</div>
 
 
 
==== Examples ====
 
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
* <em>关于</em> 部门 调整 和 人事 安排 <span class="trans">"Regarding Department Adjustments and Human Affairs"</span>
 
* <em>关于</em> 新年 放假 的通知 <span class="trans">A Notification regarding New Year vacations.</span>
 
</div>
 
  
 
== 对于 emphasizes the object referred to ==
 
== 对于 emphasizes the object referred to ==
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Subj. + 对于 + Modifier + Predicate
 
Subj. + 对于 + Modifier + Predicate
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
对于 + Modifier, Subj. + Predicate
 
对于 + Modifier, Subj. + Predicate

Revision as of 04:33, 23 June 2017

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

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.

Subj. + 对于 + Modifier + Predicate

对于 + Modifier, Subj. + 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.
  • 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 。 Duìyú zhège wèntí, wǒ méiyǒu yìjiàn.As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.
  • 关于 这个问题 , 我没有意见 。 Guānyú zhège wèntí, wǒ méiyǒu yìjiàn.As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.
  • 对于 这个 话题,我 觉得 没什么 可 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 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,Subj. + Verb Phrase

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 small 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

  • 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.

See Also

Sources and further reading

Books

[1]

Dictionaries

HSK5