对于(duìyú) vs 关于(guānyú)

对于(duìyú) vs 关于(guānyú)

The words “关于” and “对于” are both prepositions in Chinese grammar, and can both be used to express “about” or “regarding”.

Differences

1. The two prepositions are different in meaning. “对于” points out the object, the following clause expresses a feeling or a comment. “关于” points out the scope, introducing the thing to be talked about.

e.g.

对于我们的学习方法，老师很满意。(Duìyú wǒmen de xuéxí fāngfǎ, lǎoshī hěn mǎnyì.) The teacher is very satisfied with our learning method.

关于我们的学习方法，老师说有很多问题。(Guānyú wǒmen de xuéxí fāngfǎ, lǎoshī shuō yǒu hěnduō wèntí.) The teacher thinks our study methods have some faults.

我想和你讲一个关于旅游的故事。(Wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ jiǎng yīgè guānyú lǚyóu de gùshì.) I’d like to tell you a story about travelling.

我不太理解人们对于旅游的热爱。(Wǒ bù tài lǐjiě rénmen duìyú lǚyóu de rè’ài.) I don’t understand why people love to travel.

Notice:

When the point emphasized is pretty clear (whether it be a range or a specific thing), “关于” and “对于” are interchangeable.

e.g.

关于/对于这个问题，大家还有什么意见？(Guānyú/duìyú zhè ge wèntí, dàjiā hái yǒu shén me yìjian?) As for this issue, what other thoughts do you all have?

关于/对于节约用电的建议，大家都很赞成。(Guānyú/duìyú jiéyuē yòng diàn de jiànyì, dàjiā dōu hěn zànchéng.) Everyone agrees with the proposal on saving electricity.

关于/对于这件事，我没什么看法。(Guānyú/duìyú zhè jiàn shì, wǒ méi shénme kànfǎ.) I don’t have an opinion concerning this matter.

2. When “对于” and “关于” act as adverbial clauses, they have different words orders. “对于” can be put either before or after the subject, while “关于” can only precede the subject.

e.g.

关于环境保护，人们越来越重视。(Guānyú huánjìng bǎohù, rénmen yuè lái yuè zhòngshì.) People pay more attention to environmental protection.

>> 关于 + Noun , Subject + Predicate

 

人们对于环境保护越来越重视。(Rénmen duìyú huánjìng bǎohù yuè lái yuè zhòngshì.)

>> Subject + 对于 + Noun + Predicate

 

对于环境保护，人们越来越重视。(Duìyú huánjìng bǎohù, rénmen yuè lái yuè zhòngshì.)

>> 对于 + Noun , Subject + Predicate

 

✘ 人们关于环境保护越来越重视。(Rénmen guānyú huánjìng bǎohù yuè lái yuè zhòngshì.)

3. “关于” can appear in the title of a book or article, while “对于” cannot be used this way.

e.g.

关于新年放假的通知 (Guānyú xīnnián fàngjià de tōngzhī.) A Notification Regarding New Year Holidays.

关于中国文化的报告(Guānyú Zhōngguó wénhuà de bàogào.) A report about Chinese culture.

4. “对于” can also in this structure “对于…来说”, it means “as far as concerned”. But “关于” cannot be used this way.

e.g.

对于我来说，这是个好消息。(Duìyú wǒ lái shuō, zhè shì gè hǎo xiāoxi.) As far as I’m concerned, this is good news.

对于中国人来说，春节是最重要的节日。(Duìyú Zhōngguó rén lái shuō, Chūnjié shì zuì zhòngyào de jiérì.) For the Chinese, the Spring Festival is the most important festival.