How to use 对…而言
对 + Person / Group + 而言 ，⋯⋯
对…而言 identifies the person or group for whom a judgment is relevant. It may concern importance, difficulty, acceptability, or the way someone evaluates a situation. Put the perspective holder between 对 and 而言, then state the comment. The phrase can begin the sentence or appear after the item being discussed, before the main description.
This construction closely parallels 对…来说, with a more formal tone that suits explanations and considered comparisons. It does not necessarily quote someone’s actual words or prove that everyone in the group agrees. Make the claim appropriate to the perspective named. Distinguish this frame from acting on someone’s behalf: it concerns relevance or viewpoint rather than naming the beneficiary of an action.
Examples with pinyin and English
这样的工作对我而言很重要。
This kind of job, for me, is very important.
对她而言，自由更重要。
For her, freedom is even more important.
对 80后而言，网恋很正常。
For people born in the eighties, Internet dating is totally normal.
对你而言，我就是一个这样的人吗？
To you, am I that kind of person?
What to remember
- Name the perspective holder between 对 and 而言.
- It is more formal than 对…来说.
- The frame concerns viewpoint or relevance, not a favor.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.