What is the difference between 对于 and 关于 in Chinese?

Both 对于 and 关于 can translate as 'about/regarding', but they differ in usage. 关于 introduces a topic objectively (similar to 'about/concerning') and often appears in titles or topic-setting phrases. 对于 introduces a topic for expressing an opinion or attitude (similar to 'as for/regarding'). For example: 关于这个问题 = about this issue (neutral), 对于这个问题 = as for this issue (opinion follows).

How do you use 由于 in Chinese?

由于 (yóuyú) means 'due to / because of' and is used in formal contexts to introduce a cause or reason. It typically appears at the beginning of a sentence: 由于天气原因，航班取消了 (Due to weather, the flight was canceled). Unlike 因为, 由于 is more formal and is often paired with 所以 or followed directly by the result.

What conjunctions are tested at HSK 4?

Key HSK 4 conjunctions include: 并且 (and/moreover), 不仅…还/而且 (not only...but also), 另外/此外 (in addition), 甚至 (even/to the extent that), 因此 (therefore), and 不过 (however/but). These connect clauses to express addition, contrast, causation, and escalation.

HSK 4 Grammar

HSK 4 介词、连词与助词 — Function Words

Master the key function words that connect ideas, express cause, and frame topics in Mandarin Chinese.

12+

Words

对于 vs 关于 — Key Differences

	对于 duìyú	关于 guānyú
Meaning	As for / regarding (opinion)	About / concerning (neutral)
Usage	Introduces topic + opinion/attitude	Introduces topic objectively
Can modify nouns?	No (cannot say 对于...的书)	Yes (关于环保的书)
Used in titles?	Rarely	Yes (关于... is common in titles)
Example	对于这件事，我不同意。	关于这件事的报告

Section B: 连词 Conjunctions / 连词

B-1 并且 bìngqiě and / moreover

他学习很努力，并且成绩也很好。

Tā xuéxí hěn nǔlì, bìngqiě chéngjì yě hěn hǎo.

He studies very hard, and his grades are also very good.

这家餐厅很便宜，并且味道也不错。

Zhè jiā cāntīng hěn piányi, bìngqiě wèidào yě búcuò.

This restaurant is cheap, and the taste is also good.

Note: 并且 connects two clauses, adding further information. It is more formal than 而且 and emphasizes that both statements are true.

B-2 不仅/不光…还/而且 bùjǐn...hái/érqiě not only...but also

他不仅会说中文，还会说日语。

Tā bùjǐn huì shuō Zhōngwén, hái huì shuō Rìyǔ.

He can not only speak Chinese, but also Japanese.

这个城市不光交通方便，而且环境很好。

Zhège chéngshì bùguāng jiāotōng fāngbiàn, érqiě huánjìng hěn hǎo.

This city not only has convenient transportation, but also has a good environment.

Note: 不仅/不光 introduce the first clause; 还/而且 introduce the second. 不光 is slightly more colloquial than 不仅.

B-3 另外 / 此外 lìngwài / cǐwài in addition / furthermore

你需要带护照，另外还要带签证。

Nǐ xūyào dài hùzhào, lìngwài hái yào dài qiānzhèng.

You need to bring your passport; in addition, you also need to bring your visa.

这门课很有趣。此外，老师也很有经验。

Zhè mén kè hěn yǒuqù. Cǐwài, lǎoshī yě hěn yǒu jīngyàn.

This course is very interesting. Furthermore, the teacher is also very experienced.

Note: Both add supplementary information. 此外 is more formal (written); 另外 is common in both speech and writing.

B-4 甚至 shènzhì even / to the extent that

他太忙了，甚至连吃饭的时间都没有。

Tā tài máng le, shènzhì lián chīfàn de shíjiān dōu méiyǒu.

He's so busy that he doesn't even have time to eat.

这个地方很安静，甚至听不到汽车的声音。

Zhège dìfāng hěn ānjìng, shènzhì tīng bú dào qìchē de shēngyīn.

This place is so quiet, you can't even hear the sound of cars.

Note: 甚至 escalates the degree or introduces an extreme case. Often paired with 连...都/也 for emphasis.

B-5 因此 yīncǐ therefore / as a result

他每天都坚持锻炼，因此身体很健康。

Tā měitiān dōu jiānchí duànliàn, yīncǐ shēntǐ hěn jiànkāng.

He exercises every day, and therefore his body is very healthy.

这条路正在修，因此我们需要绕道。

Zhè tiáo lù zhèngzài xiū, yīncǐ wǒmen xūyào ràodào.

This road is under repair, therefore we need to take a detour.

Note: 因此 introduces a result or conclusion based on the preceding cause. More formal than 所以.

B-6 不过 búguò however / but

这家店的东西不便宜，不过质量很好。

Zhè jiā diàn de dōngxī bù piányi, búguò zhìliàng hěn hǎo.

The things at this store are not cheap, but the quality is very good.

今天有点累，不过还是去了健身房。

Jīntiān yǒudiǎn lèi, búguò háishì qù le jiànshēnfáng.

I'm a bit tired today, but I still went to the gym.

Note: 不过 is a softer "but" compared to 但是. It introduces a mild contrast or concession, often used in conversational Chinese.

B-7 而 ér and / but / while (links words or contrasting clauses)

这道菜好吃而不贵。

Zhè dào cài hǎochī ér bú guì.

This dish is tasty and not expensive.

我喜欢夏天，而他喜欢冬天。

Wǒ xǐhuan xiàtiān, ér tā xǐhuan dōngtiān.

I like summer, while he likes winter.

Note: The syllabus lists both uses: joining adjectives/phrases (聪明而努力) and joining clauses with mild contrast. 而 is written-style — don't use it where casual 但是 fits better.

B-8 加上 jiāshàng plus / on top of that (adds a further reason)

天气不好，加上时间太晚，我们决定不去了。

Tiānqì bù hǎo, jiāshàng shíjiān tài wǎn, wǒmen juédìng bú qù le.

The weather was bad, and on top of that it was too late, so we decided not to go.

他经验丰富，加上态度认真，很快就升职了。

Tā jīngyàn fēngfù, jiāshàng tàidu rènzhēn, hěn kuài jiù shēngzhí le.

He has rich experience, plus a serious attitude, so he was promoted quickly.

Note: 加上 stacks an additional cause onto one already given; the result clause often follows with 所以/就/因此.

B-9 要是 yàoshi if (colloquial 如果)

要是明天下雨，我们就改天再去。

Yàoshi míngtiān xià yǔ, wǒmen jiù gǎitiān zài qù.

If it rains tomorrow, we'll go another day.

要是你早点儿告诉我就好了。

Yàoshi nǐ zǎodiǎnr gàosu wǒ jiù hǎo le.

If only you had told me earlier.

Note: 要是……就…… is the spoken counterpart of 如果. More conditional patterns (要是……，否则……) are on the complex sentences page.

Section C: 助词 Particles / 助词

C-1 者 zhě / 之 zhī -er / one who… · formal 的

这次比赛的获胜者是一名大学生。

Zhè cì bǐsài de huòshèng zhě shì yī míng dàxuéshēng.

The winner of this competition is a university student.

北京是中国最大的城市之一。

Běijīng shì Zhōngguó zuì dà de chéngshì zhī yī.

Beijing is one of the biggest cities in China.

Note: 者 turns a verb/phrase into "the person who…" (记者、作者、获胜者). 之 is the classical 的, most useful in the tested pattern ……之一 "one of…".

C-2 等 děng / 就是 jiùshì etc. / and so on · (sentence-final) that's all

商店里卖水果、饮料、零食等。

Shāngdiàn lǐ mài shuǐguǒ, yǐnliào, língshí děng.

The shop sells fruit, drinks, snacks, and so on.

别担心，按时吃药就是了。

Bié dānxīn, ànshí chī yào jiùshì le.

Don't worry — just take the medicine on time, that's all.

Note: 等 closes a list ("etc."), often as 等等 or 等 + category noun (苹果、香蕉等水果). ……就是了 reassures the listener: "just do X and it'll be fine."

Classic HSK 4 介词 / 连词 Examples Explained / HSK 4 介词与连词经典例句详解

12 most-tested HSK 4 prepositions and conjunctions with classic examples — 关于 / 对于 / 由于 / 按照 / 作为 / 随着 / 通过 / 除了 / 至于 / 既然 / 不仅 / 与其. Each example includes pinyin, English, and the typical HSK 4 testing pattern.

关于 guānyú — Regarding / About (topic)

Introduces the topic of discussion. Usually placed at the start of a sentence: 关于X，…

✓ 关于这个问题，我有自己的看法。 Guānyú zhège wèntí, wǒ yǒu zìjǐ de kànfǎ. — "Regarding this question, I have my own view."

关于 vs 对于 confusable pair →

对于 duìyú — Toward / Regarding (attitude)

Introduces what someone has an attitude/opinion about. Usually paired with feeling/opinion verbs (感到/认为/觉得).

✓ 对于他的离开，大家都感到很难过。 Duìyú tā de líkāi, dàjiā dōu gǎndào hěn nánguò. — "Regarding his departure, everyone feels very sad."

由于 yóuyú — Due to (formal)

Formal "because/due to". Pairs with 因此 / 所以 / 才. Common in HSK 4 reading passages.

✓ 由于天气原因，今天的航班取消了。 Yóuyú tiānqì yuányīn, jīntiān de hángbān qǔxiāo le. — "Due to weather, today's flight is cancelled."

因为 vs 由于 confusable pair →

按照 / 按 ànzhào / àn — According to

Introduces a standard, rule, or plan being followed. 按 is shorter form.

✓ 按照规定，这里不能停车。 Ànzhào guīdìng, zhèlǐ bù néng tíng chē. — "According to the rules, parking is not allowed here."

Same: 按时 (on time) / 按计划 (according to plan) / 按顺序 (in order).

作为 zuòwéi — As (in the role/identity of)

Marks someone in a role or capacity. "As a...".

✓ 作为一名老师，他非常负责。 Zuòwéi yì míng lǎoshī, tā fēicháng fùzé. — "As a teacher, he is very responsible."

随着 suízhe — As / With (development)

"As X happens/develops, Y also happens." Marks one change driving another. Heavy in HSK 4 reading.

✓ 随着科技的发展，人们的生活越来越方便。 Suízhe kējì de fāzhǎn, rénmen de shēnghuó yuè lái yuè fāngbiàn. — "As technology develops, people's lives become more and more convenient."

通过 tōngguò — Through / By means of

Introduces a method/channel. Distinguish from 经过 (through a place/time).

✓ 通过这次经历，我学到了很多。 Tōngguò zhè cì jīnglì, wǒ xué dào le hěn duō. — "Through this experience, I learned a lot."

通过 vs 经过 confusable pair →

除了…(以外/之外)，… (还/也/都) — Besides / Except

Two meanings depending on the second clause: with 还/也 = inclusive ("besides X also Y"); with 都 = exclusive ("except X").

✓ 除了周末以外，他每天都跑步。 Chú le zhōumò yǐwài, tā měi tiān dōu pǎobù. — "Except on weekends, he runs every day." (exclusive)

✓ 除了汉语以外，他还会说英语。 Chú le Hànyǔ yǐwài, tā hái huì shuō Yīngyǔ. — "Besides Chinese, he can also speak English." (inclusive)

至于 zhìyú — As for / 至于

Topic-shifter — "moving on to X". Often used to introduce a new topic in a discussion.

✓ 至于价格，我们可以再商量。 Zhìyú jiàgé, wǒmen kěyǐ zài shāngliang. — "As for the price, we can discuss it further."

既然…就… jìrán…jiù… — Since / Given that

"Since A is the case, then B follows." A is treated as established fact.

✓ 既然你已经决定了，我就不再说什么了。 Jìrán nǐ yǐjīng juédìng le, wǒ jiù bú zài shuō shénme le. — "Since you've decided, I won't say more."

不仅…而且… bùjǐn…érqiě… — Not only … but also …

Progressive ("not only X, additionally Y"). Same as 不但…而且…. Slightly more formal.

✓ 她不仅聪明，而且很善良。 Tā bù jǐn cōngming, érqiě hěn shànliáng. — "She is not only smart but also kind."

不但 vs 不仅 vs 不光 confusable pair →

与其…不如… yǔqí…bùrú… — Rather than… it's better to…

Comparative choice — preferring B over A. HSK 4 advanced.

✓ 与其在家闷着，不如出去走走。 Yǔqí zài jiā mēn zhe, bù rú chū qù zǒu zǒu. — "Rather than being cooped up at home, it's better to go out for a walk."

Contextual Fill-in / 语境填空

Read the situation, then choose the best preposition or conjunction for the blank. Sometimes more than one answer is acceptable!

Situation

Error Spotting / 纠错练习

Is this sentence using the preposition or conjunction correctly? Judge each one.

Comprehensive Quiz / 综合测试 (12 questions)

环保问题，政府出台了新政策。

关于 introduces the topic objectively ("Regarding environmental issues, the government has introduced new policies"). 对于 would require an opinion or attitude to follow, not a factual statement. 由于 means "because of" which doesn't fit.

天气不好，运动会推迟了。

由于 means "due to" and introduces a cause. "Due to bad weather, the sports day was postponed." 关于 means "about" (wrong meaning), 随着 means "as/along with" (wrong), 按照 means "according to" (wrong).

他不仅会弹钢琴，会拉小提琴。

不仅...还 is a fixed pair meaning "not only...but also." 还 completes the pattern. 并且 could work grammatically but doesn't pair with 不仅. 因此 means "therefore" (wrong logic). 不过 means "however" (opposite meaning).

经济的发展，人们的生活水平提高了。

随着 means "as/along with" and expresses change over time: "As the economy develops, people's living standards have improved." 由于 would mean "because of" which is close but doesn't convey the gradual progression.

请规定的时间交作业。

按照 means "according to": "Please submit homework according to the specified time." 关于/对于 mean "about/regarding" (wrong meaning). 随着 means "along with" (wrong).

一个中国人，我很自豪。

作为 means "as/in the capacity of": "As a Chinese person, I am very proud." It frames the subject's identity. The other options don't fit this role-framing function.

这里的风景很美，空气也很新鲜。

并且 means "and/moreover" connecting two parallel positive statements: "The scenery here is beautiful, and the air is also fresh." 不过 means "but" (wrong — no contrast). 因此 means "therefore" (no causal link). 甚至 means "even" (too extreme).

他太紧张了，说话都说不清楚。

甚至 means "even/to the extent that" and escalates: "He was so nervous, he couldn't even speak clearly." This expresses an extreme consequence. 并且 just adds info; 不过 contrasts; 因此 states a result but doesn't convey the extreme degree.

他每天认真学习，考试考得很好。

因此 means "therefore": "He studies diligently every day; therefore he did well on the exam." This shows a cause-result relationship. 不过 means "but" (wrong logic). 甚至 means "even" (doesn't fit). 并且 just adds info without showing causation.

今天的菜味道不太好，价格还可以。

不过 means "however/but" and introduces a mild contrast: "Today's food doesn't taste great, but the price is okay." 因此 means "therefore" (wrong — no causal link). 并且 adds similar info (but here it's a contrast). 甚至 means "even" (wrong).

Which sentence is INCORRECT?

对于 cannot modify a noun directly. You cannot say 对于...的书. The correct form is 关于中国文化的书. 对于 is used to introduce a topic for an opinion, not as a noun modifier.

这个问题很复杂，需要更多时间讨论。，我建议下周再开会。

因此 introduces the result ("therefore we need more time") and 另外 adds a supplementary suggestion ("in addition, I suggest meeting next week"). The other combinations don't make logical sense in this context.

HSK 4 真题语境例句 / Real-Exam-Context Examples

Five sentences featuring the high-frequency HSK 4 prepositions and conjunctions (对于, 关于, 由于, 作为, 至于) in their natural exam contexts. Each shows the function-word's typical sentence position and meaning.

对于这次旅行，我们家每个人都有不同的安排。

Duìyú zhè cì lǚxíng, wǒmen jiā měi gè rén dōu yǒu bù tóng de ānpái.

Regarding this trip, everyone in our family has a different plan.

Test context: 听力 family-discussion dialogues. 对于 + topic introduces the issue toward which attitudes/positions are held — pairs naturally with 安排/看法/态度. HSK 4 distinguishes 对于 (toward an issue) from 关于 (about a topic).

关于明天的会议，我还有几点想说。

Guānyú míngtiān de huìyì, wǒ hái yǒu jǐ diǎn xiǎng shuō.

About tomorrow's meeting, I still have a few points I want to make.

Test context: 听力 workplace dialogues. 关于 introduces the subject matter being discussed (informational), not the attitude. Sits at sentence-front position; pairs with 我有/我想说/讨论. Common HSK 4 listening opener.

由于路上堵车严重，会议的开始时间推迟了一个小时。

Yóuyú lùshàng dǔchē yánzhòng, huìyì de kāishǐ shíjiān tuīchí le yí ge xiǎoshí.

Due to severe traffic, the meeting's start time was postponed by an hour.

Test context: 听力 office announcements. 由于 = formal "due to" — replaceable by 因为 in casual speech, but more written. Frequently appears in HSK 4 announcements about schedule changes.

作为一名学生，最重要的就是认真学习。

Zuòwéi yì míng xuésheng, zuì zhòngyào de jiùshì rènzhēn xuéxí.

As a student, the most important thing is to study seriously.

Test context: 阅读 thesis-style passages. 作为 + identity introduces the role/perspective from which a claim is made. Always sentence-initial; pairs naturally with 最重要的是. HSK 4 reading frequently uses this opener.

这件事我已经决定了，至于怎么做，我还得好好想想。

Zhè jiàn shì wǒ yǐjīng juédìng le, zhìyú zěnme zuò, wǒ hái děi hǎohǎo xiǎngxiang.

I've already decided on this matter; as for how to do it, I still need to think it over.

Test context: 阅读 transition between two related sub-topics. 至于 = "as for" — shifts focus from one aspect to another. Always introduces a new sub-question after the main point. HSK 4 阅读排序 uses 至于 as a cohesion signal.

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