Comparing "guanyu" and "duiyu"

关于 (guānyú) and 对于 (duìyú) seem similar, since both of these prepositions are used to point to specific people or things. However, when taking a closer look, the things they discuss and the angles they take are different.

The point of emphasis is different

对于 looks towards the object referred to, and usually the person or object referred to has adopted a certain attitude or has come into some kind of situation.

Structure

对于 + Person/Thing

Examples

• 对于 那 个 人 我 并 不 了解。I just don't understand that person.
• 对于我们 的 学习 方法，老师 很 满意。The teacher is very satisfied with our study methods.
• 她对于这 件 礼物 非常 珍惜。She really treasures that gift.

关于 emphasizes a range, and it introduces all things that are related to it.

Structure

关于 + Range, Related things

Examples

• 关于这件礼物，有一个感人的故事。There is a really touching story that has to do with this gift.
• 关于我们的学习方法，老师说有很多毛病。The teacher thinks our study methods have some faults.

Notice that in the second example, if you were just to say "老师说有很多毛病" without first pointing out what it's referring to 学习方法, it would cause some confusion.

Situations where they are the same

When the point emphasized is pretty clear (whether it be a range or a specific thing), then you can use either.

Examples

• 关于/对于这份决议，大家还有什么补充吗？Is there anything that anyone wants to add to this decision?
• 关于/对于这个问题，你们还有什么意见？As for this problem, do you guys still have some thoughts?

Both have different word orders when using them as adverbial clauses

When 对于 and 关于 act as adverbial clauses (a group of related words that act like an adverb), they have somewhat different words orders. You can place 对于 before or after the subject, while 关于 can only be placed before the subject.

Structure

关于 + Noun , Subject + Predicate

Subject + 对于 + Noun + Predicate

对于 + Noun , Subject + Predicate

Sources and further reading

Books

• 对外汉语教学语法释疑201例 (对于 vs 关于 p.202) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (p. 61) →buy

Dictionaries

• 现代汉语词典（第5版） (关于p.501，对于 p.346) →buy