关于: Introducing a Topic in Chinese
关于
关于 introduces the subject matter that a following statement concerns. The complete 关于 phrase usually stands before the main clause or modifies a noun with 的. It does not normally introduce the person directly affected by an action; 对于 is better when the relationship is an attitude or response toward someone.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
关于 + Noun phrase, Subject + Predicate
Read the structure
关于 introduces the subject matter that a following statement concerns. The complete 关于 phrase usually stands before the main clause or modifies a noun with 的. It does not normally introduce the person directly affected by an action; 对于 is better when the relationship is an attitude or response toward someone. Keep the model 关于 + Noun phrase, Subject + Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
关于这件事，我们明天再谈。
Regarding this matter, we will talk tomorrow.
Choose the right context
Open a statement by naming its subject matter. Form a modifier such as 关于考试的通知. Shift a discussion to a clearly bounded issue.
我收到了关于考试的通知。
I received a notice about the exam.
Respect the boundary
Do not leave 关于 without a following topic noun phrase. Do not place the topic complement after the main predicate. Do not use 关于 as the verb ‘to discuss.’
关于，我们明天再谈这件事。
(Regarding, we will discuss this matter tomorrow.)
Repair the pattern
The topic is detached from 关于: 关于 must take its topic noun phrase directly: 关于这件事. 的 is missing in a noun modifier: When 关于考试 modifies 通知, 的 closes the modifier before the head noun.
关于这件事，我们明天再谈。
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.
关于这件事，我们明天再谈。
Regarding this matter, we will talk tomorrow.
关于
关于
This part occupies the 关于 position in the model pattern.
这
Noun phrase, Subject
This part occupies the Noun phrase, Subject position in the model pattern.
件
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
事
关于
This part occupies the 关于 position in the model pattern.
，
Noun phrase, Subject
This part occupies the Noun phrase, Subject position in the model pattern.
我们
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
明天
关于
This part occupies the 关于 position in the model pattern.
再
Noun phrase, Subject
This part occupies the Noun phrase, Subject position in the model pattern.
谈
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate 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.
关于这件事，我们明天再谈。
Regarding this matter, we will talk tomorrow.
我收到了关于考试的通知。
I received a notice about the exam.
关于国家大事，我们都应该关注。
We should all pay attention to major national affairs.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Open a statement by naming its subject matter.
- Form a modifier such as 关于考试的通知.
- Shift a discussion to a clearly bounded issue.
Do not use it when
- Do not leave 关于 without a following topic noun phrase.
- Do not place the topic complement after the main predicate.
- Do not use 关于 as the verb ‘to discuss.’
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.
关于，我们明天再谈这件事。
关于这件事，我们明天再谈。
The topic is detached from 关于
关于 must take its topic noun phrase directly: 关于这件事.
我收到了关于考试通知。
我收到了关于考试的通知。
的 is missing in a noun modifier
When 关于考试 modifies 通知, 的 closes the modifier before the head noun.
关于，我们明天再谈这件事。
关于 must take its topic noun phrase directly: 关于这件事.
我收到了关于考试通知。
When 关于考试 modifies 通知, 的 closes the modifier before the head noun.
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 关于.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 关于. 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
关于: Introducing a Topic Questions
What is the basic order with 关于?
Use 关于 + topic, then the main clause: 关于这个问题，我们需要讨论。
Can 关于 modify a noun?
Yes. Add 的 before the head noun, as in 关于留学的建议.
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 4 item 【四15】, 介词：关于 (printed p. 207)
Supports placement in HSK 4; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 57, §57.1.1, expressions that introduce a topic; also §25.11.4
Lists 关于 + noun phrase as a topic-introducing expression and illustrates its clause-initial use.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
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.
Compare
对…来说对…来说: From Someone's Perspective
Compare this lesson with 对……来说 restricting a judgment to one perspective; both belong to topic and perspective framing, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
Compare
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.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Compare
Compare this lesson with 对……来说 restricting a judgment to one perspective; both belong to topic and perspective framing, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.