Comparing "guanyu" "duiyu" and "zhiyu"

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\r\nThe differences between 关于 (guānyú), 对于 (duìyú), and 至于 (zhìyú) can be confusing. They all have similar meanings like "concerning", "regarding" or "as for." Learn what they are in this article!\r\n== 关于 emphasizes range ==\r\n关于 usually points to a range or scope. It can be used in a few ways: as an adverb or adverbial clause, as an attributive modifier or it can appear as part of the title of an article. \r\n

=== Structure 1 ===\r\nAs an adverb/adverbial clause, it can only be placed before the subject.\r\n

关于 + involved object, Subject + Predicate Part

\r\n==== Examples ====\r\n

  • 关于 汉语语法,我知道的不多。As for Chinese, I know a bit.
  • 关于 她,我 还 有 很 多 问题 要 问。As for her, I still have a lot of questions that I need to ask.

\r\n=== Structure 2 ===\r\nAs an attributive modifier, it is usually placed after the verb, and you should always add a 的.\r\n

关于 + Modifier + 的 + Noun

\r\n==== Examples ====\r\n

  • 你 有 关于 这 次 会议 的 PPT 吗?Did you have anything to do with this meeting's Powerpoint?
  • 这 是 一 份 关于 中国 市场 的 报告,请 你 看 一下。This is a report about the Chinese markets. Please take a look at it.

\r\n=== Structure 3 ===\r\nIt can also be used in the title of an article. \r\n

关于 + Modifier + 的 + Noun.

关于 + involved object

\r\n==== Examples ====\r\n

  • 关于 部门 调整 和 人事 安排 "Regarding Department Adjustments and Human Affairs"
  • 关于 新年 放假 的通知 A Notification regarding New Year vacations.

\r\n== 对于 emphasizes the object referred to ==\r\n对于 usually emphasizes the thing that it is pointing to. Usually where you use 对 you can use 对于. \r\n=== Structure ===\r\nAs an adverb or adverbial clause, you can place if before or after the subject. It cannot be an attributive modifier. \r\n

Subject + 对于 + Modifier + Predicate

对于 + Modifier, Subject + Predicate

\r\n==== Examples ====\r\n

  • 对于 这 种 人,就 不 该 跟 他们 讲 道理。As for this kind of person, you are not supposed to reason with them.
  • 对于 电脑,我 什么 都 不 懂。I don't understand anything about computers.
  • 对于 电脑 什么 都 不 懂。I don't understand anything about computers.

\r\n=== Special conditions ===\r\nSometimes, 关于 and 对于 don't have any differences at all, however those instances are few. For example:\r\n===== Examples =====\r\n

  • 对于 这个问题,我没有意见。As for this problem, I don't have any ideas.
  • 关于 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,我觉得没什么可以讨论的。For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.
  • 关于 这个话题,我觉得没什么可以讨论的。For this topic, I don't think there is anything to be discussed.

\r\n== 至于 can change the topic ==\r\n=== Structure ===\r\nAs a preposition, it points to another topic, and emphasizes changing the subject of conversation. \r\n

至于 + Topic , Subject + VP

\r\n==== Examples ====\r\n

  • 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 we still haven't decided when.
  • 至于 这 个 问题,我们 还 需要 进一步 讨论。For this problem, we need a further discussion.

\r\n== 至于 can also emphasize degree ==\r\n=== Structure ===\r\nAs 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. \r\n

(不)至于 + Degree

\r\n==== Examples ====\r\n

  • 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.

\r\n== Examples of right and wrong sentences ==\r\n

  • 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?

\r\n == Example Dialog ==\r\n

  • 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.

\r\n== See also ==\r\n== Sources and further reading ==\r\n=== Books ===

[1]\r\n*卓越汉语-公司实战篇 (p. 98) →buy\r\n=== Dictionaries ===

HSK5