Difference between revisions of "Comparing "duiyu" and "zhiyu""
 
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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
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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," and differences are subtle.
  
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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!
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== Use 对于 to Emphasizes the Object ==
  
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== 对于 emphasizes the object referred to ==
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对于 usually emphasizes the thing that it is pointing to. Usually where you use 对 you can also use 对于.  
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对于 usually emphasizes the thing that it is pointing to. Usually where you use 对 you can use 对于.  
 
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
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As an adverb or adverbial clause, you can place if before or after the subject. It cannot be an attributive modifier.  
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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).  
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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Subj. + 对于 + Modifier + Predicate
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Subj. + 对于 + Object + Predicate
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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对于 + Modifier， Subj. + Predicate
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对于 + Object， Subj. + Predicate
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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==== Examples ====
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=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
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* <em>对于</em> 这 种 人，就 不 该 跟 他们 讲 道理。<span class="trans">As for this kind of person, you are not supposed to reason with them.</span>
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* <em>对于</em> 电脑 ，我 什么 都 不 懂。<span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> diànnǎo, wǒ shénme dōu bù dǒng.</span><span class="trans">With regards to computers, I don't understand anything.</span>
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* <em>对于</em> 电脑，我 什么 都 不 懂。<span class="trans">I don't understand anything about computers.</span>
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* 我 <em>对于</em> 电脑 什么 都 不 懂。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>duìyú</em> diànnǎo shénme dōu bù dǒng.</span><span class="trans">I don't understand anything about computers.</span>
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* 我 <em>对于</em> 电脑 什么 都 不 懂。<span class="trans">I don't understand anything about computers.</span>
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* <em>对于</em> 这 种 人，就 不 该 跟 他们 讲 道理。<span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> zhè zhǒng rén, jiù bù gāi gēn tāmen jiǎng dàolǐ.</span><span class="trans">With this kind of person, you shouldn't try to reason with them.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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=== Special conditions ===
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== Use 至于 to Change the Topic ==
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Sometimes, 关于 and 对于 don't have any differences at all, however those instances are few. For example:
 
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===== Examples =====
 
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<div class="liju">
 
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* <em>对于</em> 这个问题 ， 我没有意见 。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> zhège wèntí, wǒ méiyǒu yìjiàn.</span><span class="trans">As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.</span>
 
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* <em>关于</em> 这个问题 ， 我没有意见 。 <span class="pinyin"><em>Guānyú</em> zhège wèntí, wǒ méiyǒu yìjiàn.</span><span class="trans">As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.</span>
 
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* <em>对于</em> 这个 话题，我 觉得 没什么 可 讨论 的。<span class="trans">For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.</span>
 
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* <em>关于</em> 这个话题，我觉得没什么可 讨论 的。<span class="trans">For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.</span>
 
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</div>
 
  
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== 至于 can change the topic ==
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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 ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
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As a preposition, it points to another topic, and emphasizes changing the subject of conversation.  
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As a preposition, 至于 points to another topic, serving to change the subject of conversation.  
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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</div>
 
</div>
  
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==== Examples ====
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=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
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* 我们 要 开始 这 个 项目 了，<em>至于</em> 什么 时候 开始，还 没 定。<span class="trans">We're going to start this project, but we still haven't decided when.</span>
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* 我们 要 开始 这 个 项目 了，<em>至于</em> 什么 时候 开始，还 没 定。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen yào kāishǐ zhège xiàngmù le, <em>zhìyú</em> shénme shíhou kāishǐ, hái méi dìng.</span><span class="trans">We're going to start this project, but as for when to start, we still haven't decided.</span>
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* <em>至于</em> 这 个 问题，我们 还 需要 进一步 讨论。<span class="trans">For this problem, we need a further discussion.</span>
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* <em>至于</em> 这 个 问题，我们 还 需要 进一步 讨论。<span class="pinyin"><em>Zhìyú</em> zhège wèntí, wǒmen hái xūyào jìnyībù tǎolùn.</span><span class="trans">As for this issue, we still need further discussion.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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== 至于 can also emphasize degree ==
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== Use 至于 to Emphasize Degree ==
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
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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.  
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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.  
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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（不）至于 + Degree
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（不）至于 + Degree
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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==== Examples ====
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=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
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* 这 点 小 事情，<em>至于</em> 这么 生气 吗？<span class="trans">With such a small thing, why are you so angry?</span>
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* 这 点 小 事情，<em>至于</em> 这么 生气 吗？<span class="pinyin">Zhè diǎn xiǎo shìqing, <em>zhìyú</em> zhème shēngqì ma?</span><span class="trans">Over such a small thing, why are you so angry?</span>
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* 我 是 不 高兴，但 <em>不至于</em> 不 跟 你 说话。<span class="trans">I'm not happy, but not to the point that I won't talk with you.</span>
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* 我 是 不 高兴，但 <em>不 至于</em> 不 跟 你 说话。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ shì bù gāoxìng, dàn <em>bù zhìyú</em> bù gēn nǐ shuōhuà.</span><span class="trans">I'm not happy, but not to the point that I won't talk with you.</span>
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* <em>至于</em> 吗 ？<span class="expl">Questioning someone's overreaction, perhaps</span><span class="pinyin"><em>Zhìyú</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Is it that serious?</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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== Examples of right and wrong sentences ==
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== Common Mistakes ==
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
<ul>
 
<ul>
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<li class="x">你 <em>关于</em> 这 个 问题 怎么 看？</li>
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<li class="x">你 <em>至于</em> 这 个 问题 怎么 看？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>zhìyú</em> zhège wèntí, zěnme kàn?</span></li>
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<li class="o"><em>关于</em> 这 个 问题， 你 怎么 看？</li>
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<li class="o"><em>至于</em> 这 个 问题， 你 怎么 看？<span class="pinyin"><em>Zhìyú</em> zhège wèntí, nǐ zěnme kàn?</span><span class="trans">Regarding this issue, what do you think?</span></li>
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<li class="x"><em>关于</em> 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？</li>
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<li class="o"><em>至于</em> 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？<span class="pinyin"><em>Zhìyú</em> tā de wúlǐ, nǐ shì bu shì bù tài gāoxìng?</span></li>
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<li class="o"><em>对于</em> 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？</li>
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<li class="o"><em>对于</em> 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？<span class="pinyin"><em>Duìyú</em> tā de wúlǐ, nǐ shì bu shì bù tài gāoxìng?</span><span class="trans">Are you not to happy about his rude behavior?</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
</div>
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== Example Dialogue ==
 
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<div class="liju">
 
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* A: 我们 今天 的 会议 内容 是 讨论 一下 <em>关于</em> 开发 中国 市场 的 问题。<span class="trans">The content of today's meeting is a discussion about the problems in developing China's markets.</span>
 
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* B: 我 的 意见 是 <em>对于</em> 中国 市场 我们 还 不 了解，最好 是 再 等等。<span class="trans">My opinion towards the Chinese markets is that we still don't understand. The best thing is to wait some more.</span>
 
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* A: <em>对于</em> 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。<span class="trans">We've already decided about developing the markets, the problem now is when to start.</span>
 
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* B：那么，<em>关于</em> 这 个 议题，我 没有 什么 可 说 的 了。<span class="trans">Then, as for this topic, I have nothing more to say.</span>
 
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</div>
 
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== See Also ==
 
  
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
== Sources and further reading ==
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{{Rel char|于}}
 
{{Rel char|于}}
 
{{Rel char|对}}
 
{{Rel char|对}}
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{{Similar|Expressing "with regards to" with "zhiyu"}}
 
{{Similar|Comparing "dui" and "duiyu"}}
 
{{Similar|Comparing "dui" and "duiyu"}}
 
{{Similar|Comparing "guanyu" and "duiyu"}}
 
{{Similar|Comparing "guanyu" and "duiyu"}}

Latest revision as of 09:33, 14 January 2021

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 shíhou 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 shìqing, 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?

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 wúlǐ, nǐ shì bu shì bù tài gāoxìng?
  • 对于 他 的 无礼，你 是不是 不 太 高兴？Duìyú tā de wúlǐ, nǐ shì bu shì bù tài gāoxìng?Are you not to happy about his rude behavior?

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries

HSK5



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