Explanation at your level:
You use 至于 to change the topic. If you talk about food and want to talk about drinks, you say '至于 drinks...' It is very easy to use!
When you have two topics, use 至于 to move to the second one. It helps people understand what you are talking about clearly.
Use this word to introduce a new subject. It is great for keeping your speech organized. Native speakers use it constantly to pivot between points.
至于 is a sophisticated way to manage discourse. It helps you signal to the listener that a shift in focus is occurring, which improves the flow of your argument.
In academic or professional settings, 至于 acts as a structural anchor. It allows for complex transitions where you can contrast different aspects of a topic effectively.
Mastery of 至于 involves understanding its nuanced role in rhetoric. It can be used to dismiss a topic ('至于...就算了') or to highlight a specific point among many others.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to introduce a new topic.
- Translates to 'as for'.
- Must be at the start of a clause.
- Very common in all registers.
Think of 至于 as your verbal steering wheel. When you are chatting and want to gracefully pivot to a new topic, this is the word you reach for. It literally means 'as for' or 'regarding,' but it feels much more natural in conversation than those stiff English equivalents.
You use it when you have finished talking about one thing and want to bring up another related point. It is incredibly common in both daily life and formal speeches. By using 至于, you show that you are organized and thoughtful about how your ideas connect.
The word 至于 has ancient roots. The character 至 (zhì) originally depicted an arrow hitting the ground, representing 'arrival' or 'reaching.' The character 于 (yú) is a preposition indicating location or direction.
Combined, they originally meant 'to reach at.' Over centuries of linguistic evolution, this physical sense of 'reaching' a point transformed into the abstract sense of 'reaching' a new topic in a conversation. It is a classic example of how concrete, physical verbs evolve into abstract grammatical connectors in the Chinese language.
In daily life, 至于 is used to start a sentence that introduces a new subject. For example, 'We discussed the budget. 至于 the timeline, we need more time.' It is very common to see it paired with 来说 (láishuō) or 的话 (dehuà) to soften the transition.
In formal writing, it acts as a bridge between paragraphs. It is highly versatile, fitting into business meetings, academic essays, and casual coffee shop banter with equal ease.
While 至于 isn't an idiom itself, it appears in many common structures. 1. 至于...怎么样 (As for how...); 2. 至于...的话 (As for...); 3. 至于...那又是另一回事 (As for... that is another story); 4. 至于...不提也罢 (As for... let's not even mention it); 5. 至于...我就不知道了 (As for... I don't know).
Pronounced zhì-yú, the stress is usually balanced. It is a conjunction that typically sits at the very beginning of a clause. It does not take plural forms or articles, as it is a pure functional connector.
It is often followed by a noun phrase or a short clause. It is not a verb, so avoid using it to describe an action; it is strictly for framing your thoughts.
Fun Fact
It evolved from a physical action to a logical connector.
Pronunciation Guide
Standard Mandarin tones
Standard Mandarin tones
Common Errors
- Mixing tones
- Dropping the 'y' sound
- Misplacing the pause
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Requires structure
Easy to use
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Topic-Comment structure
至于天气，很好。
Conjunction usage
至于...的话
Sentence flow
Using transitions
Examples by Level
至于我，我喜欢咖啡。
As for me, I like coffee.
Topic marker
至于明天，我们去公园。
As for tomorrow, we go to the park.
Time marker
至于他，他不来。
As for him, he is not coming.
Person marker
至于午饭，吃面条。
As for lunch, eat noodles.
Object marker
至于钱，我没有。
As for money, I don't have any.
Topic marker
至于书，在桌子上。
As for the book, it is on the table.
Topic marker
至于工作，我很忙。
As for work, I am very busy.
Topic marker
至于天气，很好。
As for the weather, it is good.
Topic marker
8 examples
8 examples
8 examples
8 examples
8 examples
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"至于...那又是另一回事"
That is a different matter entirely.
他很聪明，至于能不能做好，那是另一回事。
neutral"至于...不提也罢"
Let's not even mention it.
至于那次失败，不提也罢。
casual"至于...我不知道"
As for that, I don't know.
至于他去哪了，我不知道。
casual"至于...到时候再说"
We will see when the time comes.
至于怎么做，到时候再说。
casual"至于...没必要"
It is not necessary to talk about that.
至于谁对谁错，没必要争论。
neutral"至于...完全取决于"
It completely depends on...
至于结果，完全取决于你的努力。
formalEasily Confused
Both mean about.
关于 is 'concerning', 至于 is 'as for'.
关于/至于...
Similar structure.
对于 is 'towards'.
对于他来说...
Similar function.
谈到 is 'speaking of'.
谈到这个...
Similar function.
说到 is 'mentioning'.
说到那个...
Sentence Patterns
至于 + [Noun], [Comment].
至于天气，很好。
至于 + [Clause], [Comment].
至于他去不去，我不知道。
至于 + [Topic], 那是另一回事。
至于钱，那是另一回事。
至于 + [Topic], [Subject] + [Verb].
至于细节，他会处理。
至于 + [Topic], 我们再讨论。
至于方案，我们再讨论。
Word Family
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It cannot express an action.
It introduces the topic.
关于 is 'about', 至于 is 'as for'.
It sounds repetitive.
Ensure it fits the formality.
Tips
The Topic Pivot
Always use it to start a new thought.
Sentence Placement
Keep it at the front.
The 'As For' Rule
Think 'As for' every time.
Polite Transitions
It makes you sound organized.
Clear Tones
Focus on the 4th and 2nd tones.
Topic Focus
Don't use it for actions.
Ancient Roots
It comes from 'reaching' a destination.
Topic List
Practice listing topics with it.
Formal Writing
Great for paragraph starters.
Smooth Flow
Don't pause too long after it.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'reaching' (至) a 'new place' (于).
Visual Association
A signpost pointing to a new direction.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use it three times today.
Word Origin
Chinese
Original meaning: To reach at
Cultural Context
None.
Directly equivalent to 'As for'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 至于项目
- 至于进度
- 至于预算
In school
- 至于作业
- 至于考试
- 至于成绩
At home
- 至于晚饭
- 至于家务
- 至于明天
Travel
- 至于酒店
- 至于门票
- 至于路线
Conversation Starters
"至于你，你觉得呢？"
"至于这个计划，你怎么看？"
"至于明天，我们去哪里？"
"至于那件事，你听说了吗？"
"至于晚餐，你想吃什么？"
Journal Prompts
Write about your day using 至于 for each activity.
Describe your plans using 至于 to separate topics.
Explain a problem using 至于 to list aspects.
Talk about your future using 至于 for different goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it must be at the start.
It is neutral and versatile.
Yes, as long as it is a topic.
No.
It is very stable.
Yes, it is very common.
No, it is very intuitive.
Use it in daily transitions.
Test Yourself
___ 咖啡，我喜欢喝。
Used to introduce topic.
Which means 'as for'?
Definition check.
Is 至于 a verb?
It is a conjunction.
Word
Meaning
Meaning match.
Correct structure.
Score: /5
Summary
Use 至于 whenever you want to shift the focus of your conversation to a new, related topic.
- Used to introduce a new topic.
- Translates to 'as for'.
- Must be at the start of a clause.
- Very common in all registers.
The Topic Pivot
Always use it to start a new thought.
Sentence Placement
Keep it at the front.
The 'As For' Rule
Think 'As for' every time.
Polite Transitions
It makes you sound organized.
Example
我喜欢吃水果，至于蔬菜，我就不太喜欢了。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More academic words
缺席
B1The state of being absent from a place or event where one is expected to be, such as a class, meeting, or ceremony.
抽象的
A2Abstract.
抽象地
B1In an abstract manner; conceptually.
艰深
B1Profound; abstruse; recondite.
学术性
A2Academic; scholarly; relating to education and scholarship.
学术化
B1Academic; characterized by formal study or research.
学术会议
A2Academic conference; a formal meeting for academic discussions.
学术交流
B1Exchange of ideas, information, and research among scholars.
学术期刊
B1A periodical publication containing scholarly articles.
教务处
A2Academic affairs office; department handling educational administration.
