5 · Expressions (level 5)
As for: zhìyú
moving on to a related point
Zhìyú opens a clause about the next point; bú zhìyú says it will not come to that.
至于 stands at the head of a clause and moves the conversation on to a related point: “as for, as to”. It needs something before it to move on from. 房子我很满意，至于价格，还可以再谈: “I like the flat; as for the price, that can still be discussed”.
What follows 至于 is very often something the speaker sets aside, leaves open or cannot settle — 至于为什么，我也不清楚, “as for why, I don’t know either”. It can be followed by a noun or by a whole clause, including an embedded question.
The trap is 关于, “about, regarding”. 关于 names the topic of a whole statement or text and can stand before 的: 一本关于历史的书, “a book about history”. 至于 cannot: it only turns from one point to the next.
至于 is also a verb, literally “reach as far as”. 不至于 means “it won’t come to that, it isn’t that bad”, and a bare 至于吗？ asks whether a reaction is not over the top: “is that really necessary?”.
The form
| as for (a new point) | 至于时间，我们明天再定。 |
| as for, with a clause | 至于他去不去，我就不知道了。 |
| it won’t come to that | 他不至于生气吧。 |
| is that really necessary? | 为了这点儿小事，至于吗？ |
The rules one by one
The form this topic is about
至于 stands at the head of a clause and moves on to a related point.
房子我很满意，至于价格，还可以再谈。I’m happy with the flat; as for the price, that can still be discussed.
What follows 至于 is often something the speaker leaves open or does not care about.
至于别人怎么看，我不在乎。As for what other people think, I don’t care.
至于 needs a point before it to move on from; 关于 can open a topic from nothing and stand before 的.
关于这个问题，我想说几句。On this question, I would like to say a few words.
不至于 says that things will not get as bad as that.
只是小感冒，不至于住院。It’s only a cold — it won’t come to going into hospital.
至于吗 asks whether a reaction is not over the top.
不就是输了一场比赛吗，至于这么难过吗？It was only one lost match — do you really need to be this upset?
A closer look
Zhìyú as a verb
The two characters mean “arrive at, reach”. As a linking word, 至于 “arrives at” the next topic. As a verb it asks how far something goes: 事情还不至于这么糟, “things are not that bad yet”. The verb is used almost only in the negative and in questions.
In writing, 以至于 carries the same picture into a result clause: something went so far that a consequence followed. It is close to English “so much so that”, and the sentence before it usually has a degree word such as 太 or 非常.
How to spot it
- 至于…，
- 不至于
- 至于吗
- 以至于
Example sentences
我们先把计划定下来，至于细节，以后再说。Let’s settle the plan first; as for the details, we can talk about those later.
他答应来了，至于几点到，他没说。He promised to come; as for what time he’ll arrive, he didn’t say.
这本书我推荐给你，至于喜不喜欢，要看你自己。I recommend this book to you; whether you like it is up to you.
他虽然有点儿马虎，但还不至于犯这么大的错。He can be a bit careless, but not careless enough to make a mistake this big.
只晚了五分钟，你至于发这么大的火吗？It was only five minutes — do you really have to get so angry?
会议的地点已经定了，至于参加的人，还在确认。The venue of the meeting has been fixed; as for who is attending, that is still being confirmed.
7 more example sentences
房间打扫干净了，至于厨房，明天再收拾吧。The rooms are clean; as for the kitchen, let’s tidy that tomorrow.
我知道他辞职了，至于为什么，我也不清楚。I know he has resigned; as for why, I don’t know either.
学中文要多听多说，至于写汉字，可以慢慢来。Learning Chinese takes a lot of listening and speaking; as for writing characters, you can take that slowly.
我想他不至于连这点儿钱都没有。I doubt he is so badly off that he hasn’t got even this much money.
问题是有的，但不至于那么严重。There are problems, but they’re not that serious.
钱的事你别担心，至于怎么还，以后再商量。Don’t worry about the money; how you pay it back we can discuss later.
一件衣服而已，至于吗？It’s only a piece of clothing — is that really worth the fuss?
Worth knowing (1)
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Yǐzhìyú: so much so that
以至于 opens a result clause: something went so far that a consequence followed. It belongs to careful speech and writing and often introduces an unwelcome result.
他太紧张了，以至于忘了要说的话。He was so nervous that he forgot what he wanted to say.
The trap English speakers fall into
Watch out
English “as to” and “about” overlap, and both words are glossed “regarding”. But 至于 only opens a clause that turns to the next point; it cannot describe a noun with 的. A book, a talk or an article “about” something is always 关于.
Zhìyú moves on to the next point at the head of its clause; bú zhìyú says it will not come to that.
Your turn
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