对…来说: From Someone's Perspective in Chinese
对…来说
对…来说 sets the person, group, or domain whose perspective makes the following evaluation relevant. The expression normally precedes that evaluation and must keep 对, its object, and 来说 in that order. It is not a completed action, so no aspect particle may be inserted inside it.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
对 + Person / Group + 来说, + Evaluation
Read the structure
对…来说 sets the person, group, or domain whose perspective makes the following evaluation relevant. The expression normally precedes that evaluation and must keep 对, its object, and 来说 in that order. It is not a completed action, so no aspect particle may be inserted inside it. Keep the model 对 + Person / Group + 来说, + Evaluation visible while you compare each sentence.
对我来说，这个问题不难。
For me, this problem is not difficult.
Choose the right context
State whose perspective an evaluation reflects. Limit a judgment to a group or field. Compare how the same situation affects different people.
这份工作对他来说很重要。
This job is very important to him.
Respect the boundary
Do not reverse 对 and 来说. Do not insert 了 inside the fixed expression. Do not use it merely to mark the direct recipient of an action.
来说我对，这个问题不难。
(Speaking me toward, this problem is not difficult.)
Repair the pattern
The fixed expression is reversed: The fixed order is 对 + perspective holder + 来说. 了 is inserted inside the perspective phrase: 来说 is part of the fixed perspective frame and cannot be split by 了.
对我来说，这个问题不难。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
对我来说，这个问题不难。
For me, this problem is not difficult.
对
对
This part occupies the 对 position in the model pattern.
我
Person / Group
This part occupies the Person / Group position in the model pattern.
来说
来说,
This part occupies the 来说, position in the model pattern.
，
Evaluation
This part occupies the Evaluation position in the model pattern.
这个
对
This part occupies the 对 position in the model pattern.
问题
Person / Group
This part occupies the Person / Group position in the model pattern.
不
来说,
This part occupies the 来说, position in the model pattern.
难
Evaluation
This part occupies the Evaluation position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
对我来说，这个问题不难。
For me, this problem is not difficult.
这份工作对他来说很重要。
This job is very important to him.
对初学者来说，这本书很有用。
For beginners, this book is useful.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- State whose perspective an evaluation reflects.
- Limit a judgment to a group or field.
- Compare how the same situation affects different people.
Do not use it when
- Do not reverse 对 and 来说.
- Do not insert 了 inside the fixed expression.
- Do not use it merely to mark the direct recipient of an action.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
来说我对，这个问题不难。
对我来说，这个问题不难。
The fixed expression is reversed
The fixed order is 对 + perspective holder + 来说.
对我来了说，这个问题不难。
对我来说，这个问题不难。
了 is inserted inside the perspective phrase
来说 is part of the fixed perspective frame and cannot be split by 了.
来说我对，这个问题不难。
The fixed order is 对 + perspective holder + 来说.
对我来了说，这个问题不难。
来说 is part of the fixed perspective frame and cannot be split by 了.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 对…来说.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 对…来说. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
对…来说: From Someone's Perspective Questions
What can follow 对 in this pattern?
A person, group, or domain whose perspective is relevant can follow 对.
Where does 对…来说 go?
It usually comes before the evaluation, either sentence-initially or after the topic.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, Level 3 item 【三40】, 固定格式：对…来说
Supports placement in HSK 3; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceCVC A Level Mandarin: Vocabulary and Grammar Book 1
Mr Fan · UCL IOE Confucius Institute for Schools · 2023
Locator: Printed p. 24 / PDF pp. 27–28, ‘The use of 对’
States that 对 introduces an affected or relevant party and that the complete 对 + noun phrase precedes the predicate; GF item 三40 supplies the fixed 来说 frame.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
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至于至于: As for a New Subtopic
Compare this lesson with 至于 shifting attention to a new related topic; both belong to topic and perspective framing, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
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关于关于: Introducing a Topic
Compare this lesson with 关于 introducing the topic of a noun phrase or clause; both belong to topic and perspective framing, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
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就（关涉）就: Restricting Discussion to a Topic
Compare this lesson with 就 introducing the matter under discussion; both belong to topic and perspective framing, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
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Continue with the reviewed follow-up lesson to apply this pattern inside a broader, explicitly connected grammar construction.
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