Use the examples with their context and limits. Recall a sentence before reading the model. Original teaching additions accompany examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA); see the course reference provenance.
关于 vs 对于 (about vs regarding)
A book's topic differs from an attitude frame
- You describe a book about history.
- 这是一本关于历史的书。 — 关于历史 modifies the book's topic.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is 关于 vs 对于 (about vs regarding). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
about关于this这(measure word)件matter事，I我not不clear清楚。
Read examples in context
regarding对于this这(measure word)个issue问题，I我have有views看法。
- In the opening example, 这是一本关于历史的书。: 关于历史 modifies the book's topic.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- 对于历史，我很感兴趣 frames an attitude instead.
- 关于 and 对于 overlap in some sentence-level topic expressions, but 对于 does not simply replace 关于 in this noun modifier.
Use the distinction
- 关于历史 modifies the book's topic.
- 对于历史，我很感兴趣 frames an attitude instead. 关于 and 对于 overlap in some sentence-level topic expressions, but 对于 does not simply replace 关于 in this noun modifier.
Try it with help closed
You describe a book about history. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
One possible response: 这是一本关于历史的书。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- 对于历史，我很感兴趣 frames an attitude instead.
- 关于 and 对于 overlap in some sentence-level topic expressions, but 对于 does not simply replace 关于 in this noun modifier.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.
Practise this pattern step by step.
离 vs 从 (gap from vs starting point)
A distance relation differs from a starting point
- A school is close to your home, and your journey begins at home.
- 学校离我家很近；我从家出发。 — 离 marks the separation, while 从 marks the journey's origin.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is 离 vs 从 (gap from vs starting point). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
school学校from离my我home家very很close近。
Read examples in context
I我from从Beijing北京come来。
- In the opening example, 学校离我家很近；我从家出发。: 离 marks the separation, while 从 marks the journey's origin.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
Know the boundary
- 从 also introduces starting times such as 从早到晚.
- A phrase expressing closeness does not by itself report movement.
Use the distinction
- 离 marks the separation, while 从 marks the journey's origin.
- 从 also introduces starting times such as 从早到晚. A phrase expressing closeness does not by itself report movement.
Try it with help closed
A school is close to your home, and your journey begins at home. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
One possible response: 学校离我家很近；我从家出发。
- My response conveys a message that fits the opening situation.
- I can explain the meaning of the pattern, rather than only naming it.
- 从 also introduces starting times such as 从早到晚.
- A phrase expressing closeness does not by itself report movement.
- I tried a second response with a name, time, place, or description changed.