Comparing "duiyu" and "zhiyu"

The differences between 对于 (duìyú) and 至于 (zhìyú) can be confusing. They both have similar meanings like "concerning," "regarding" or "as for," and differences are subtle.

Use 对于 to Emphasizes the Object

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

Structure

As an adverb or adverbial clause, you can place 对于 before or after the subject. It cannot be an attributive modifier (coming before a noun).

Subj. + 对于 + Object + Predicate

对于 + Object， Subj. + Predicate

Examples

• 对于 电脑 ，我 什么 都 不 懂。Duìyú diànnǎo, wǒ shénme dōu bù dǒng.With regards to computers, I don't understand anything.
• 我 对于 电脑 什么 都 不 懂。Wǒ duìyú diànnǎo shénme dōu bù dǒng.I don't understand anything about computers.
• 对于 这 种 人，就 不 该 跟 他们 讲 道理。Duìyú zhè zhǒng rén, jiù bù gāi gēn tāmen jiǎng dàolǐ.With this kind of person, you shouldn't try to reason with them.

Use 至于 to Change the Topic

Note that to change a topic, there needs to be another topic first. So you don't use 至于 to start an entirely new discussion free of any existing topic.

Structure

As a preposition, 至于 points to another topic, serving to change 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。Wǒmen yào kāishǐ zhège xiàngmù le, zhìyú shénme shíhòu kāishǐ, hái méi dìng.We're going to start this project, but as for when to start, we still haven't decided.
• 至于 这 个 问题，我们 还 需要 进一步 讨论。Zhìyú zhège wèntí, wǒmen hái xūyào jìnyībù tǎolùn.As for this issue, we still need further discussion.

Use 至于 to Emphasize Degree

Structure

As an adverb, it expresses "having reached a certain degree." After it you can add 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？Zhè diǎn xiǎo shìqíng, zhìyú zhème shēngqì ma?Over such a small thing, why are you so angry?
• 我 是 不 高兴，但 不 至于 不 跟 你 说话。Wǒ shì bù gāoxìng, dàn bù zhìyú bù gēn nǐ shuōhuà.I'm not happy, but not to the point that I won't talk with you.
• 至于 吗 ？Questioning someone's overreaction, perhapsZhìyú ma?Is it that serious?

When 对于 and 至于 Are Interchangeable

Sometimes, 关于 and 至于 don't have any differences at all. However, those instances are few.

• 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.
• 至于 这个 话题 ，我 觉得 没 什么 可 讨论 的。Zhìyú zhège huàtí, wǒ juéde méi shénme kě tǎolùn de.For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.

Common Mistakes

• 你 至于 这 个 问题 怎么 看？Nǐ zhìyú zhège wèntí, zěnme kàn?
• 至于 这 个 问题， 你 怎么 看？Zhìyú zhège wèntí, nǐ zěnme kàn?Regarding this issue, what do you think?
• 至于 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？Zhìyú tā de wú lǐ, nǐ shì bù shì bù tài gāoxìng?
• 对于 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？Duìyú tā de wú lǐ, nǐ shì bù shì bù tài gāoxìng?Are you not to happy about his rude behavior?

Sources and further reading

Books

• 对外汉语教学语法释疑201例 (pp. 203, 207) [ →buy]
• 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (pp. 240, 683) [ →buy]
• 现代汉语虚词例释 (pp. 211,651) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy
• 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 (pp. 98) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy

Dictionaries

• 现代汉语词典（第5版） (pp. 501, 346, 1755) 卓越汉语－公司实战篇 →buy

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