Tomyo

How to use 对 (duì) vs 对于 (duìyú) in Chinese

对 (duì) + Person + Verb / 对于 (duìyú) + Topic + Verb

Comparing "对 (duì)" and "对于 (duìyú)"

HSK 5Prepositions

Rule structure

对 (duì) targets a person or object directly. 对于 (duìyú) introduces a topic, issue, or abstract concept. 对于 (duìyú) is more formal and rarely used with persons.

Examples

他对我说谎。 / 对于这个问题，我不清楚。

Tā duì wǒ shuōhuǎng. / Duìyú zhège wèntí, wǒ bù qīngchǔ.

He lied to me. / Regarding this issue, I’m not clear.

Practice

Build the sentence

Drag the characters to put them in the correct order

Characters

Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Comparing "对 (duì)" and "对于 (duìyú)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 对 (duì) + Person + Verb / 对于 (duìyú) + Topic + Verb. For example: 他对我说谎。 / 对于这个问题，我不清楚。 — “He lied to me. / Regarding this issue, I’m not clear.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

他对我说谎。 / 对于这个问题，我不清楚。 — “He lied to me. / Regarding this issue, I’m not clear.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.

Tomyo

Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews

Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.

Download the app

More HSK 5 grammar rules

Limiting scope with "就 (jiù)"

就 (jiù) + Measure Word / Noun (only, just)

Expressing "including" with "在内 (zàinèi)"

包括 (bāokuò) + X + 在内 (zàinèi), Group + 都 (dōu) + Verb

Comparing "朝 (cháo)" "向 (xiàng)" and "往 (wǎng)"

朝 (cháo) / 向 (xiàng) / 往 (wǎng) + Direction + Verb

Comparing "对于 (duìyú)" and "至于 (zhìyú)"

对于 (duìyú) + Topic (focus) / 至于 (zhìyú) + Topic (transition)

Expressing "on the basis of" with "凭 (píng)"

凭 (píng) + Noun + Verb

Comparing "给 (gěi)" and "为 (wèi)"

给 (gěi) + Recipient + Verb (transfer) / 为 (wèi) + Beneficiary + Verb (for the sake of)

Expressing "ever since" with "自从 (zìcóng)"

自从 (zìcóng) + Event, Subj. + 就 (jiù) / 一直 (yìzhí) + Verb

Expressing "for…" with "而言 (ér yán)"

对 (duì) / 对于 (duìyú) + Topic + 而言 (ér yán)