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." 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。Duìyú zhè zhǒng rén, jiù bù gāi gēn tāmen jiǎng dàolǐ.As for this kind of person, you are not supposed to reason with them.
• 对于 电脑，我 什么 都 不 懂。Duìyú diànnǎo, wǒ shénme dōu bù dǒng.I don't understand anything about computers.
• 我 对于 电脑 什么 都 不 懂。Wǒ duìyú diànnǎo shénme dōu bù dǒng.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。Duìyú zhège huàtí, wǒ juédé méishénme kě tǎolùn de.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。Guānyú zhège huàtí, wǒ juédé méishénme kě tǎolùn de.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。Wǒmen yào kāishǐ zhè gè xiàng mù le, zhìyú shénme shíhòu kāishǐ, hái méi dìng.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。Zhìyú zhè gè wèntí, wǒmen hái xūyào jìnyībù tǎolùn.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

• 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 Dialogue

• 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 (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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