关于

• Pinyin: guān yú
• Hanzi breakdown: 关 = simplified from 關 (gate/barrier, with silk threads inside); 于 = ancient pictograph of a breath, used as a function word

Meaning

About; regarding; concerning. A preposition used to introduce the topic or subject matter of a statement or discussion.

Used at the beginning of a sentence or before a noun phrase to indicate the topic being discussed. Often appears in formal writing and speech. Can be followed by a noun, pronoun, or clause. Common in news reports, academic texts, and official documents. The phrase 关于...的 is a standard pattern meaning 'regarding...' or 'about...'.

Examples

1. 关于这个问题，我们明天再讨论吧。 Regarding this issue, let's discuss it again tomorrow.
2. 他写了一篇关于中国历史的文章。 He wrote an article about Chinese history.
3. 老师给我们发了一份关于考试安排的通知。 The teacher sent us a notice about the exam schedule.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, formal speech, everyday

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 关于这件事，你怎么看？(What do you think about this matter?)
• 我想了解更多关于这个项目的信息。(I'd like to know more about this project.)

Don't Say

• 关于我很喜欢音乐 (Don't put 关于 before a full sentence — restructure as 关于音乐，我很喜欢 or drop 关于 entirely)

Origin & History

关 (guān, to relate to, concern) + 于 (yú, at, in) — literally 'relating to,' forming a preposition that introduces topics.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal