Lesson 5: Topics in Chinese
Master topic-comment sentence structure and topic-introducing expressions like 说到, 关于, and 对于 at B1 level.
Overview
Chinese is a topic-prominent language, which means the topic of a sentence — what the sentence is about — is often placed first, regardless of its grammatical role as subject or object. This differs fundamentally from English, which is subject-prominent. At B1 level you need to consciously manipulate topic-comment structure to sound fluent and to follow the flow of Chinese discourse. You also need to deploy topic-introducing expressions such as 说到, 关于, 对于, and 至于 accurately, as each frames the upcoming comment differently.
Learning Objectives
- Identify and produce topic-comment sentences where the topic is not the grammatical subject.
- Use 说到, 关于, 对于, and 至于 in appropriate discourse contexts.
- Connect topics across sentences to build coherent paragraphs.
- Recognize how topic-fronting differs from passive constructions.
Vocabulary
| Character | Pinyin | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 说到 | shuōdào | v | speaking of, when it comes to | 说到学习... |
| 关于 | guānyú | prep | about, regarding (topic intro) | 关于这件事 |
| 对于 | duìyú | prep | regarding, as for, toward | 对于这个问题 |
| 至于 | zhìyú | prep/conj | as for, as to (shifting topic) | 至于原因... |
| 提到 | tídào | v | to mention | 提到这个话题 |
| 谈到 | tándào | v | to talk about | 谈到未来 |
| 就...而言 | jiù...éryán | prep phrase | as far as...is concerned | 就我而言 |
| 话题 | huàtí | n | topic, subject | 换个话题 |
| 涉及 | shèjí | v | to involve, concern | 涉及多方面 |
| 方面 | fāngmiàn | n | aspect, side, area | 这方面 |
| 立场 | lìchǎng | n | standpoint, position | 表明立场 |
| 观点 | guāndiǎn | n | viewpoint, perspective | 个人观点 |
| 而言 | éryán | phrase | as far as...is concerned | 就个人而言 |
| 角度 | jiǎodù | n | angle, perspective | 从这个角度 |
Grammar Focus
Pattern 1: Topic-Comment Structure
Structure: [Topic NP] + [Comment about the topic]
The topic is what the speaker signals as the subject matter. It is placed first. The comment then says something about it. The topic may be the grammatical object of the verb, a time expression, a location, or any fronted element.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 这本书，我已经看完了。 | Zhè běn shū, wǒ yǐjīng kàn wán le. | This book — I've already finished reading it. |
| 中文语法，他学得很快。 | Zhōngwén yǔfǎ, tā xué de hěn kuài. | Chinese grammar — he learns it quickly. |
| 那件事，大家都知道了。 | Nà jiàn shì, dàjiā dōu zhīdào le. | That matter — everyone knows about it. |
What to notice: The fronted element leaves a "gap" in the comment that is typically not filled with a pronoun (unlike English "This book, I've already read it" where "it" can be dropped in Chinese). Topic fronting is not a passive sentence. 这本书，我看完了 does not imply the book did anything to me; it simply establishes what the sentence is about.
Pattern 2: 关于 vs 对于
关于 structure: 关于 + NP, + main clause (introduces topic of content) 对于 structure: 对于 + NP, + main clause (indicates stance or attitude toward something)
关于 is used to introduce the subject matter, similar to "about" or "regarding." 对于 is used to express an attitude, evaluation, or relationship to something, often translatable as "as for" or "toward."
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 关于这次会议的结果，大家有不同看法。 | Guānyú zhè cì huìyì de jiéguǒ, dàjiā yǒu bùtóng kànfǎ. | Regarding the outcome of this meeting, people have different opinions. |
| 对于这个建议，我持保留态度。 | Duìyú zhège jiànyì, wǒ chí bǎoliú tàidù. | As for this suggestion, I have reservations. |
| 对于初学者来说，这本书太难了。 | Duìyú chūxuézhě lái shuō, zhè běn shū tài nán le. | For beginners, this book is too difficult. |
Common mistake: Do not interchange 关于 and 对于 freely. 关于 fits when you are naming the topic of discussion. 对于 fits when expressing evaluation or stance. 关于初学者来说 is unnatural; use 对于 there.
Pattern 3: 说到, 至于, and 就...而言
说到 structure: 说到 + NP, + comment (spoken, transitions topic mid-conversation) 至于 structure: 至于 + NP, + comment (shifts to a secondary or less important topic) 就...而言 structure: 就 + NP + 而言, + comment (formal: "as far as X is concerned")
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 说到旅游，我最想去西藏。 | Shuōdào lǚyóu, wǒ zuì xiǎng qù Xīzàng. | Speaking of travel, I most want to go to Tibet. |
| 至于费用问题，我们以后再讨论。 | Zhìyú fèiyòng wèntí, wǒmen yǐhòu zài tǎolùn. | As for the cost issue, we can discuss it later. |
| 就目前情况而言，这个方案是最合适的。 | Jiù mùqián qíngkuàng éryán, zhège fāng'àn shì zuì héshì de. | As far as the current situation is concerned, this plan is the most suitable. |
Contrast: 说到 is conversational and used to pivot or introduce a related topic. 至于 is slightly dismissive, placing the new topic as a secondary matter. 就...而言 is formal and analytical, used in reports and arguments.
Dialogue
Context: Two people at a dinner party discussing future plans.
A: 说到旅行，你最近有没有什么计划？
Shuōdào lǚxíng, nǐ zuìjìn yǒu méiyǒu shénme jìhuà?
Speaking of travel, do you have any plans recently?
B: 有啊，关于目的地，我在考虑日本和越南两个地方。
Yǒu a, guānyú mùdìdì, wǒ zài kǎolǜ Rìběn hé Yuènán liǎng gè dìfang.
Yes, regarding the destination, I'm considering Japan and Vietnam.
A: 对于这两个地方，你更倾向于哪个？
Duìyú zhè liǎng gè dìfang, nǐ gèng qīngxiàng yú nǎge?
As between these two, which do you lean toward?
B: 就个人喜好而言，我更想去日本体验一下文化。
Jiù gèrén xǐhào éryán, wǒ gèng xiǎng qù Rìběn tǐyàn yīxià wénhuà.
As far as personal preference goes, I'd rather go to Japan to experience the culture.
A: 日本的文化和饮食，我觉得都值得体验。至于费用呢？
Rìběn de wénhuà hé yǐnshí, wǒ juéde dōu zhídé tǐyàn. Zhìyú fèiyòng ne?
Japan's culture and food are both worth experiencing, I think. As for the cost?
B: 这方面比越南贵一些，但说到性价比，日本其实也不差。
Zhè fāngmiàn bǐ Yuènán guì yīxiē, dàn shuōdào xìngjiàbǐ, Rìběn qíshí yě bù chà.
It's a bit more expensive than Vietnam in this area, but speaking of value for money, Japan is actually not bad either.
A: 对于语言障碍，你有没有准备？
Duìyú yǔyán zhàng'ài, nǐ yǒu méiyǒu zhǔnbèi?
Have you prepared for the language barrier?
B: 我在学一些基本日语。关于这个话题，我倒觉得语言障碍被夸大了，很多地方都有英文标识。
Wǒ zài xué yīxiē jīběn Rìyǔ. Guānyú zhège huàtí, wǒ dào juéde yǔyán zhàng'ài bèi kuādà le, hěn duō dìfang dōu yǒu Yīngwén biāozhì.
I'm learning some basic Japanese. Regarding that topic, I actually think the language barrier is overstated — many places have English signs.
Extended Reading
在学习一门语言时，关于听说读写哪方面最重要，不同的学习者有不同的看法。对于以考试为目标的学生来说，阅读和写作往往是重点。就日常交流而言，听力和口语则更为关键。说到语法，很多人认为语法是最难的部分，但实际上，培养语感才是长期进步的关键。至于词汇量，学习者应该优先掌握高频词，再逐渐扩大范围。总的来说，每个方面都有其价值，不能单独割裂开来讨论。
Zài xuéxí yī mén yǔyán shí, guānyú tīng shuō dú xiě nǎ fāngmiàn zuì zhòngyào, bùtóng de xuéxízhě yǒu bùtóng de kànfǎ. Duìyú yǐ kǎoshì wéi mùbiāo de xuésheng lái shuō, yuèdú hé xiězuò wǎngwǎng shì zhòngdiǎn. Jiù rìcháng jiāoliú éryán, tīnglì hé kǒuyǔ zé gèng wéi guānjiàn. Shuōdào yǔfǎ, hěn duō rén rènwéi yǔfǎ shì zuì nán de bùfen, dàn shíjì shang, péiyǎng yǔgǎn cái shì chángqī jìnbù de guānjiàn. Zhìyú cíhuì liàng, xuéxízhě yīnggāi yōuxiān zhǎngwò gāopín cí, zài zhújiàn kuòdà fànwéi.
When learning a language, different learners have different views on which of listening, speaking, reading, and writing is most important. For students aiming for exams, reading and writing are often the focus. As far as daily communication is concerned, listening and speaking are more critical. Speaking of grammar, many people think grammar is the hardest part, but in reality, developing a feel for the language is the key to long-term progress. As for vocabulary size, learners should first master high-frequency words and then gradually expand their range.
Practice
Exercise 1: Front the underlined element as a topic.
- 我已经做完这道题了。(这道题) → ___
- 她非常喜欢传统音乐。(传统音乐) → ___
- 大家对这件事都不满意。(这件事) → ___
Exercise 2: Fill in 关于, 对于, 至于, or 说到.
- ___气候变化，科学家们已经提出了很多解决方案。
- ___初学者，这个软件确实太复杂了。
- ___价格问题，我们下次再讨论。
- ___旅游，北京和上海都是热门目的地。
Exercise 3: Write a short paragraph (5-6 sentences) about your opinion on online learning, using at least three of: 关于, 对于, 至于, 说到, 就...而言.
Cultural Note
Topic-comment structure is not just a grammar feature; it reflects Chinese discourse logic, which tends to establish shared ground (the topic) before making a judgment or claim (the comment). In Chinese arguments and discussions, it is common to spend considerable time establishing what the topic is before asserting a position. This contrasts with English academic writing, which often states a thesis first. Understanding this helps you follow Chinese conversations and news commentary, where the topic frame often carries as much rhetorical weight as the comment itself.