对于/关于/针对: regarding/about
对于, 关于 and 针对 are prepositions that all translate roughly as about or regarding. 关于 names the topic, 对于 marks the issue an attitude or opinion is about, and 针对 says a measure is aimed at one specific problem.
> 关于这个问题，我有几点想法。 — On this issue, I have a few thoughts.
> 他写了一篇关于气候变化的文章。 — He wrote an article about climate change.
关于 often appears sentence-initially to announce the subject, or in the pattern 关于…的 + noun.
对于 (duìyú) = regarding / in relation to (expresses ATTITUDE toward, or IMPACT ON, something/someone)
> 对于这个决定，大家有不同的看法。 — Different people have different views on this decision.
> 对于初学者来说，语法很重要。 — For beginners, grammar is very important.
针对 (zhēnduì) = targeting / specifically aimed at (action or measure DESIGNED FOR a specific problem or group)
> 针对这个问题，我们提出了三个解决方案。 — Specifically to address this problem, we proposed three solutions.
> 针对青少年的教育方式需要改变。 — Educational approaches targeting teenagers need to change.
Rule of thumb
| | 关于 | 对于 | 针对 |
|--|------|------|------|
| Core idea | Topic framing | Attitude / impact | Specific targeting |
| Question answered | What is it about? | What is one's stance / effect? | What is it specifically designed for? |
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 关于中国历史，他非常感兴趣。 | Guānyú Zhōngguó lìshǐ, tā fēicháng gǎn xìngqù. | He is very interested in Chinese history. | 关于 frames the topic of discussion (Chinese history). It announces what the sentence is ABOUT. |
| 对于这次活动，大家的反应都很热烈。 | Duìyú zhè cì huódòng, dàjiā de fǎnyìng dōu hěn rèliè. | Everyone's response to this event was very enthusiastic. | 对于 introduced: expresses the impact on or reaction toward the event. New element: 对于 vs 关于. |
| 针对这个问题，公司提出了三个解决方案。 | Zhēnduì zhège wèntí, gōngsī tíchū le sān gè jiějué fāng'àn. | Specifically to address this problem, the company proposed three solutions. | 针对 introduced: the company's solutions are SPECIFICALLY AIMED AT tackling this problem. New element: 针对 = targeted action. |
| 对于外国学生来说，汉字是学习汉语最难的部分。 | Duìyú wàiguó xuésheng lái shuō, Hànzì shì xuéxí Hànyǔ zuì nán de bùfen. | For foreign students, Chinese characters are the hardest part of learning Chinese. | New element: 对于…来说 = 'for [someone]' — expresses relevance or impact on a specific group. This is a very common fixed pattern. |
Word by word
Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.
对于 (duìyú)
Marks the issue or thing that an attitude, opinion or effect is about.
Structure: 对于 + issue, + opinion/attitude
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 对于这个问题，我还没有想好。 | Duì yú zhè gè wèn tí, wǒ hái méi yǒu xiǎng hǎo. | As for this question, I have not made up my mind yet. |
| 对于学汉语的人来说，声调很重要。 | Duì yú xué hàn yǔ de rén lái shuō, shēng diào hěn zhòng yào. | For people learning Chinese, tones are very important. |
| 他对于新工作很满意。 | Tā duì yú xīn gōng zuò hěn mǎn yì. | He is very satisfied with the new job. |
Not: 他对于我很好。 To treat a person well, use 对: 他对我很好. 对于 introduces a topic or issue.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 4, prepositions (引出对象).
关于 (guānyú)
Names the topic that something is about, such as a talk, book or title.
Structure: 关于 + topic (+ 的 + noun)
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 关于这件事，你问问经理吧。 | Guān yú zhè jiàn shì, nǐ wèn wèn jīng lǐ ba. | About this matter, go and ask the manager. |
| 我买了一本关于北京历史的书。 | Wǒ mǎi le yì běn guān yú běi jīng lì shǐ de shū. | I bought a book about the history of Beijing. |
| 这是一个关于朋友的故事。 | Zhè shì yí gè guān yú péng you de gù shi. | This is a story about friends. |
Not: 他关于音乐很感兴趣。 关于 only names a topic. To show interest or attitude use 对: 他对音乐很感兴趣.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 3, prepositions (引出对象).
针对 (zhēnduì)
Says an action or measure is aimed at one specific problem or target.
Structure: 针对 + problem/target, + measure/action
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 针对大家的意见，公司改了上班时间。 | Zhēn duì dà jiā de yì jiàn, gōng sī gǎi le shàng bān shí jiān. | In response to everyone's views, the company changed work hours. |
| 老师针对学生常犯的错误，做了一份练习。 | Lǎo shī zhēn duì xué sheng cháng fàn de cuò wù, zuò le yí fèn liàn xí. | The teacher made an exercise aimed at the mistakes students often make. |
| 这个办法是针对小孩子设计的。 | Zhè gè bàn fǎ shì zhēn duì xiǎo hái zi shè jì de. | This method is designed for small children. |
Not: 针对中国，我很喜欢。 针对 means aimed at a problem or target, not a feeling. Say 我很喜欢中国.
What this opens up
These patterns list 对于/关于/针对 among their own prerequisites, so they become readable once this one holds.
Questions about 对于/关于/针对
What does 对于/关于 (对于/关于/针对) mean in Chinese?
对于, 关于 and 针对 are prepositions that all translate roughly as about or regarding. 关于 names the topic, 对于 marks the issue an attitude or opinion is about, and 针对 says a measure is aimed at one specific problem. It is an HSK 4 grammar point.
How do you use 对于/关于 (对于/关于/针对) in a sentence?
关于中国历史，他非常感兴趣。 — Guānyú Zhōngguó lìshǐ, tā fēicháng gǎn xìngqù. — He is very interested in Chinese history. 关于 frames the topic of discussion (Chinese history). It announces what the sentence is ABOUT.
Where does 对于/关于 (对于/关于/针对) come in the HSK sequence?
HSK 4, and none of its prerequisites are grammar points — nothing else on this reference has to come first, so you can start here.
What does 对于/关于 (对于/关于/针对) lead to?
Formal vs. informal register differences (HSK 4). Each of them names 对于/关于 (对于/关于/针对) among its own prerequisites.
Can I use 对于 and 关于 in the same way?
Not always. 关于 only gives the topic: 关于旅行的书. 对于 gives a stance on an issue: 对于旅行，我有自己的想法. Before a noun with 的, 关于 is the safe choice.
对于/关于/针对 is one topic of 829. GraphChinese teaches them in prerequisite order, so this pattern reaches you on the day everything it rests on is proven. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
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