关于 vs 对于 (about vs regarding)
IntroducedA book's topic differs from an attitude frame
- You describe a book about history.
- this这to be / is是一本about关于history历史(modifier / structural particle)的book书。 — about关于history历史 modifies the book's topic.
You describe a book about history. What does 这是一本关于历史的书。 communicate?
关于历史 modifies the book's topic. 对于历史，我很感兴趣 frames an attitude instead. 关于 and 对于 overlap in some sentence-level topic expressions, but 对于 does not simply replace 关于 in this noun modifier.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is about关于 vs regarding对于 (about vs regarding). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
about关于this这(measure word)件matter事，I我not不clear清楚。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: About this matter, I'm not clear: ____ 这件事，我不清楚。
关于 = about (topic): 关于这件事.
Read examples in context
regarding对于this这(measure word)个issue问题，I我have有views看法。
- In the opening example, this这to be / is是一本about关于history历史(modifier / structural particle)的book书。: about关于history历史 modifies the book's topic.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Which form fits the ordinary sentence ____这个问题，我有看法?
对于 frames the issue for an attitude here. 关于 may also fit some topic contexts, so it is not a universally excluded rival.
Know the boundary
- regarding对于history历史，I我很感兴趣 frames an attitude instead.
- about关于 and regarding对于 overlap in some sentence-level topic expressions, but regarding对于 does not simply replace about关于 in this noun modifier.
关于 often opens the sentence, naming the topic.
Yes — 关于…，… leads with the topic.
In the opening situation: 关于历史 modifies the book's topic.
对于历史，我很感兴趣 frames an attitude instead. 关于 and 对于 overlap in some sentence-level topic expressions, but 对于 does not simply replace 关于 in this noun modifier. 关于历史 modifies the book's topic.
Use the distinction
- about关于history历史 modifies the book's topic.
- regarding对于history历史，I我很感兴趣 frames an attitude instead. about关于 and regarding对于 overlap in some sentence-level topic expressions, but regarding对于 does not simply replace about关于 in this noun modifier.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Comparing similar prepositions.
You describe a book about history. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.