Traditional Chinese Topic–Comment: The “As For…” Pattern
主題—評論結構 (zhǔtí—pínglùn jiégòu) + 「至於…」 (zhìyú…) / 「關於…」 (guānyú…) / 「…呢」 (… ne) — aka the fastest way to sound more natural in Mandarin (Taiwan style).
English is very “subject-first.” Chinese can be, too—but it often prefers a different vibe: set a topic, then comment on it. That’s why “As for…” patterns feel so native in Traditional Chinese.
Once you get this, you’ll stop forcing every sentence into strict English word order… and Mandarin will stop side-eyeing you.
Yak Snark Box: If you force every Chinese sentence into English S-V-O, Chinese won’t argue. It’ll just quietly become a different sentence.
What “Topic–Comment” Means
Topic = what you’re talking about (a thing, person, time, place, issue).
Comment = what you want to say about that topic.
Common feel in English: “I think this book is great.”
Common feel in Chinese: “This book, I think it’s great.”
Core Example
這本書，我已經看過了。
Zhè běn shū, wǒ yǐjīng kàn guò le.
As for this book, I’ve already read it.
這家店，太貴了。
Zhè jiā diàn, tài guì le.
This restaurant—too expensive.
Your 3 Best “As For…” Tools
Think of these as three levels of “topic framing”:
至於 (zhìyú)
Meaning: as for; regarding (often a topic shift)
至於預算，我們可以再談。
Zhìyú yùsuàn, wǒmen kěyǐ zài tán.
As for the budget, we can discuss it again.
關於 (guānyú)
Meaning: regarding; about (neutral, common in writing)
關於付款方式，我們可以刷卡或轉帳。
Guānyú fùkuǎn fāngshì, wǒmen kěyǐ shuākǎ huò zhuǎnzhàng.
Regarding payment methods, we can pay by card or bank transfer.
呢 (ne)
Meaning: topic marker / “what about…?” (super natural in speech)
你呢？
Nǐ ne?
What about you?
The Basic Pattern You’ll Use Every Day
| Pattern | Meaning | Example (ZH) | Example (Pinyin) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topic，Comment。 | Set topic, then comment | 這個問題，我明天回答。 | Zhè ge wèntí, wǒ míngtiān huídá. | This question—I’ll answer tomorrow. |
| 至於 + Topic，Comment。 | As for… (often shifting) | 至於時間，我晚上比較方便。 | Zhìyú shíjiān, wǒ wǎnshàng bǐjiào fāngbiàn. | As for timing, evenings are more convenient for me. |
| 關於 + Topic，Comment。 | Regarding… (neutral) | 關於合約，我想再看一次。 | Guānyú héyuē, wǒ xiǎng zài kàn yí cì. | Regarding the contract, I want to review it once more. |
| Topic 呢，Comment。 | As for… (spoken, gentle) | 這件事呢，我先不說。 | Zhè jiàn shì ne, wǒ xiān bù shuō. | As for this matter, I won’t talk about it yet. |
Useful “As For…” Phrases You Can Steal
Each one below is a ready-to-use topic starter. Copy, paste into your brain, repeat.
對於 (duìyú) — as for; toward (slightly formal)
對於這個提案，我支持。
Duìyú zhè ge tí’àn, wǒ zhīchí.
As for this proposal, I support it.
說到 (shuōdào) — speaking of
說到旅行，我最想去花蓮。
Shuōdào lǚxíng, wǒ zuì xiǎng qù Huālián.
Speaking of travel, I most want to go to Hualien.
提到 (tídào) — to mention
提到工作，我最近真的很忙。
Tídào gōngzuò, wǒ zuìjìn zhēn de hěn máng.
When it comes to work, I’ve been really busy lately.
至於…的話 (zhìyú… de huà) — as for…, though (very common spoken)
至於晚餐的話，我想吃麵。
Zhìyú wǎncān de huà, wǒ xiǎng chī miàn.
As for dinner, I want to eat noodles.
…方面 (… fāngmiàn) — in terms of…
品質方面，我覺得很好。
Pǐnzhí fāngmiàn, wǒ juéde hěn hǎo.
In terms of quality, I think it’s great.
在…方面 (zài… fāngmiàn) — in …方面 (slightly more explicit)
在溝通方面，我們需要更清楚。
Zài gōutōng fāngmiàn, wǒmen xūyào gèng qīngchǔ.
In terms of communication, we need to be clearer.
Real-Life Topic–Comment Sentences (Copy-Paste Friendly)
- 至於天氣，我覺得明天會更冷。
Zhìyú tiānqì, wǒ juéde míngtiān huì gèng lěng.
As for the weather, I think it’ll be colder tomorrow. - 關於你的問題，我等一下回你。
Guānyú nǐ de wèntí, wǒ děng yíxià huí nǐ.
Regarding your question, I’ll reply to you in a bit. - 這個報告呢，我已經改好了。
Zhè ge bàogào ne, wǒ yǐjīng gǎi hǎo le.
As for this report, I’ve already fixed it up. - 你說的那件事，我同意。
Nǐ shuō de nà jiàn shì, wǒ tóngyì.
That thing you mentioned—I agree. - 時間的部分，我可以配合。
Shíjiān de bùfèn, wǒ kěyǐ pèihé.
As for the timing part, I can cooperate / I can adjust. - 價錢嘛，我再想想。
Jiàqián ma, wǒ zài xiǎngxiang.
The price… I’ll think about it again. - 至於你，我一點都不擔心。
Zhìyú nǐ, wǒ yìdiǎn dōu bù dānxīn.
As for you, I’m not worried at all. - 至於我呢，我比較想先休息。
Zhìyú wǒ ne, wǒ bǐjiào xiǎng xiān xiūxí.
As for me, I’d rather rest first. - 這件衣服，我覺得不太適合。
Zhè jiàn yīfú, wǒ juéde bù tài shìhé.
This piece of clothing—I don’t think it suits (me) much. - 至於怎麼做，我們可以再討論。
Zhìyú zěnme zuò, wǒmen kěyǐ zài tǎolùn.
As for how to do it, we can discuss it again. - 關於明天的行程，我都排好了。
Guānyú míngtiān de xíngchéng, wǒ dōu pái hǎo le.
Regarding tomorrow’s schedule, I’ve arranged everything. - 工作方面，我先把急的做完。
Gōngzuò fāngmiàn, wǒ xiān bǎ jí de zuò wán.
Work-wise, I’ll finish the urgent stuff first.
How To Sound Natural (Without Overdoing It)
- Use a pause/comma: Topic–comment often has a clear pause: Topic，comment。
- Use 呢 for casual speech: …呢 feels lighter than 至於/關於.
- Don’t stack too many markers: Pick one. “至於…呢…” is usually too much unless you’re being playful.
- Topic can be time/place/issue: Not just nouns like “this book.”
Common Mistakes And Quick Fixes
| Oops | Why It Sounds Off | Fix (ZH) | Fix (Pinyin) | EN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forgetting the “topic pause” | Topic–comment needs a break | 這個問題，我明天回答。 | Zhè ge wèntí, wǒ míngtiān huídá. | This question—I’ll answer tomorrow. |
| Using 至於 for tiny details | 至於 often implies a shift or contrast | 這個呢，我可以。 | Zhè ge ne, wǒ kěyǐ. | This one? I can. |
| Over-formal in casual chat | 對於 can sound “meeting-room” | 你這個想法呢，我覺得不錯。 | Nǐ zhè ge xiǎngfǎ ne, wǒ juéde búcuò. | That idea of yours—I think it’s not bad. |
| Making topic too long | Listeners get lost | 關於合約，我想再看一次。 | Guānyú héyuē, wǒ xiǎng zài kàn yí cì. | Regarding the contract, I want to review it again. |
Practice: Turn English Into Topic–Comment
Try these. Aim for: Topic + (至於/關於/呢) + comment.
- “As for the meeting, I can’t go.”
- “Regarding this problem, let’s talk tomorrow.”
- “This coffee is too bitter.” (Make it topic–comment.)
- “What about you?”
- “In terms of price, it’s okay.”
Answer Key (Peek Only After You Try)
（1）至於會議，我不能去。
Zhìyú huìyì, wǒ bùnéng qù.
As for the meeting, I can’t go.
（2）關於這個問題，我們明天再談。
Guānyú zhè ge wèntí, wǒmen míngtiān zài tán.
Regarding this problem, let’s talk tomorrow.
（3）這杯咖啡，太苦了。
Zhè bēi kāfēi, tài kǔ le.
This coffee—too bitter.
（4）你呢？
Nǐ ne?
What about you?
（5）價錢方面，我覺得還可以。
Jiàqián fāngmiàn, wǒ juéde hái kěyǐ.
In terms of price, I think it’s okay.
Quick Reference Summary
- Just a comma: Topic，Comment。 (Most flexible.)
- 至於 (zhìyú): “As for…” often with a topic shift/contrast.
- 關於 (guānyú): “Regarding…” neutral, common in writing.
- …呢 (ne): casual “as for…” / “what about…?”
- …方面 (… fāngmiàn): “In terms of…” great for categories (price, quality, schedule).
Final Yak Box: Want instant fluency points? Start a sentence with the thing you actually care about. Topic first. Then talk about it. Chinese loves that.
Pick one tool this week: 呢 (ne) for chatting, 關於 (guānyú) for messages, 至於 (zhìyú) for smooth topic shifts. You don’t need all three at once. Your yak forbids it.
