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.

Different Points of Emphasis

Examples with 对于

对于 points to an object being specifically referred to, and usually the speaker has adopted a certain attitude or has come to some kind of conclusion about the person or object.

• 对于 那 个 人 我 并 不 了解。Duìyú nàge rén wǒ bìng bù liǎojiě.As for that person, I just don't know him very well at all.
• 对于 我们 的 工作 表现，老板 很 满意。Duìyú wǒmen de gōngzuò biǎoxiàn, lǎobǎn hěn mǎnyì.The boss is very satisfied with our work performance.
• 对于 这 件 事情 他 没什么 看法。Duìyú zhè jiàn shìqíng tā méi shénme kànfǎ.He doesn't really have any opinion about this matter.

Examples with 关于

关于 names a topic, and often emphasizes a range, then introduces a comment related to it.

• 他 昨天 发表 了 一个 关于 中国 经济 的 演讲。Tā zuótiān fābiǎo le yī gè guānyú Zhōngguó jīngjì de yǎnjiǎng.Yesterday he made a speech about the Chinese economy.
• 我 需要 写 一 篇 关于 中美 文化 差异 的 文章。Wǒ xūyào xiě yī piān guānyú Zhōng-Měi wénhuà chāyì de wénzhāng.I need to write an article about the differences between Chinese and American culture.
• 关于 你 辞职 的 申请，公司 还 在 考虑。Guānyú nǐ cízhí de shēnqǐng, gōngsī hái zài kǎolǜ.With regards to your application for resignation, the company is still considering it.
• 关于 孩子 的 教育，她 跟 丈夫 的 看法 很 不 一样。Guānyú háizi de jiàoyù, tā gēn zhàngfū de kànfǎ hěn bù yīyàng.On children's education, her opinion is very different from her husband's.

Using 关于 in a Formal way

关于 (guānyú) can also be used in the title of an article.

Examples

• 关于 部门 调整 和 人事 安排 Guānyú bùmén tiáozhěng hé rénshì ānpái."Regarding Department Adjustments and Human Affairs"
• 关于 新年 放假 的通知 Guānyú Xīnnián fàngjià de tōngzhī.A Notification regarding New Year vacations.

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？Guānyú/duìyú zhè fèn juéyì, dàjiā hái yǒu shé me bǔchōng ma?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？Guānyú / duìyú zhège wèntí, nǐmen hái yǒu shé me yìjiàn?As for this problem, do you guys still have some thoughts?

Sources and further reading

Books

• HSK Standard Course 4下 (pp. 20) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• 对外汉语教学语法释疑201例 (pp. 202) [ →buy]
• New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 61) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy

Dictionaries

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

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