Difference between revisions of "Comparing "duiyu" and "zhiyu""
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| − | The differences between 对于 (duìyú) | + | 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. |
| − | == 对于 Emphasizes the Object | + | == 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 use 对于. | + | 对于 usually emphasizes the thing that it is pointing to. Usually where you use 对 you can also use 对于. |
=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
| − | == 至于 | + | == Use 至于 to Change the Topic == |
=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
| − | As a preposition, | + | 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> | ||
| − | + | === Examples === | |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * 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 | + | * 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 shíhòu 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> |
| − | * <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"> | + | * <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> | ||
| − | == 至于 | + | == Use 至于 to Emphasize Degree == |
=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
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<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
| − | （不）至于 + | + | （不）至于 + Degree |
</div> | </div> | ||
| − | + | === Examples === | |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * 这 点 小 事情，<em>至于</em> 这么 生气 吗？<span class="pinyin">Zhè diǎn xiǎo shìqíng, <em>zhìyú</em> zhème shēngqì ma?</span><span class="trans"> | + | * 这 点 小 事情，<em>至于</em> 这么 生气 吗？<span class="pinyin">Zhè diǎn xiǎo shìqíng, <em>zhìyú</em> zhème shēngqì ma?</span><span class="trans">Over such a small thing, why are you so angry?</span> |
| − | * 我 是 不 高兴，但 <em> | + | * 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> |
* <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> | * <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> | ||
Revision as of 09:53, 5 December 2020
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Level
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Keywords
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.
Contents
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。With regards to computers, I don't understand anything.
- 我 对于 电脑 什么 都 不 懂。I don't understand anything about computers.
- 对于 这 种 人，就 不 该 跟 他们 讲 道理。With this kind of person, you shouldn't try to reason with them.
Use 至于 to Change the 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。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。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？Over 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.
- 至于 吗 ？Questioning someone's overreaction, perhapsIs 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 。 As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.
- 至于 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 讨论 的。For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.
- 至于 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.
Common Mistakes
- 你 至于 这 个 问题 怎么 看？
- 至于 这 个 问题， 你 怎么 看？Regarding this issue, what do you think?
- 至于 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？Are you not to happy about his rude behavior?
See Also
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
