对 … 而言 (as far as … is concerned)
From where they stand
- to / towards / correct对 + Person / Group + (typically preceded by 就……而言 = "for / as far as … is concerned".
- to / towards / correct对student学生(typically preceded by 就……而言 = "for students."
- It's the formal, written twin of to / towards / correct对…来说.
to / towards / correct对 + X + (typically preceded by 就……而言,…
- (typically preceded by 就……而言 sets the perspective in a formal register.
for对me我as for而言,this这very很important重要。
- to / towards / correct对I / me我(typically preceded by 就……而言,this这very很important重要 = "for me, this is important."
Explore
Correct or broken?
对 X 而言 gives X's vantage point, formally — the bracket stays intact.
Practice
For me, this is important: 对我 ____,这很重要。
对 + X + 而言 = as far as X is concerned: 对我而言,这很重要.
Practice
对…而言 sets whose perspective the statement takes.
Yes — 对学生而言 (from a student's perspective).
Recap
Key idea
- to / towards / correct对 + X + (typically preceded by 就……而言,… — "for / as far as X is concerned" (formal)
- to / towards / correct对student学生(typically preceded by 就……而言 · to / towards / correct对I / me我(typically preceded by 就……而言
- Formal twin of to / towards / correct对…来说
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Prepositions.
Practice
对…而言 is the formal twin of…
对…而言 = formal 对…来说 (as for …).