About, regarding: 关于 / 对于
介词 / prepositions
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
- 关于 (guānyú) = "about, concerning": it introduces the topic. Often before a noun with 的: 关于环境的新闻 (news about the environment), or at the start: 关于这个问题，……
- 对于 (duìyú) = "towards, regarding": it introduces the target of an attitude or judgement: 对于这个决定，大家都很满意.
Tip: if you can say "about", think 关于; if you can say "towards / with regard to", think 对于. When unsure: 关于 never goes after the subject, while 对于 can: 我对于这件事有意见。
Examples
关于这个问题，每个人都有自己的看法。
Guānyú zhège wèntí, měi ge rén dōu yǒu zìjǐ de kànfǎ.Everyone has their own view on this issue.
我最近看了一本关于中国历史的书。
Wǒ zuìjìn kàn le yì běn guānyú Zhōngguó lìshǐ de shū.I recently read a book about Chinese history.
对于年轻人来说，找工作不容易。
Duìyú niánqīngrén lái shuō, zhǎo gōngzuò bù róngyì.For young people, finding a job isn't easy.
Common mistakes
✗ 我关于这件事有意见。 → 关于 can't follow the subject. ✓ 关于这件事，我有意见。/ 我对于这件事有意见。
✗ 这是一本对于音乐的书。 → for a topic: ✓ 这是一本关于音乐的书。