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

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

对 (duì) vs 对于 (duì yú) — to, regarding

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

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Frequently asked questions

How do you say “to, regarding” in Chinese with 对 vs 对于?

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.

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More HSK 5 grammar rules

就 — only, just

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

包括 — including with 在内

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

朝 vs 向 vs 往 — direction prepositions

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

对于 vs 至于 — as for, regarding

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

凭 — on the basis of

凭 (píng) + Noun + Verb

给 vs 为 — for someone's benefit

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

自从 — ever since

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

对 — for… with 而言

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