Comparing "duiyu" and "zhiyu"
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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." Learn what they are in this article!
Contents
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。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.
- 我 对于 电脑 什么 都 不 懂。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 。 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 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 讨论 的。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。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.
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.
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
