關於

About/concerning

Level 3Sounds Like gwaan1 jyu1

關於 (gwaan1 jyu1) means 'about', 'concerning', or 'regarding'. It marks the topic you are talking about.

How It Works

關於 (gwaan1 jyu1) is used to define the scope of a discussion or the content of something like a book or a dream. While it originated from written Chinese, it is very common in spoken Cantonese, especially in professional or descriptive contexts.

Key Usage Patterns:

  • Topic Marker: Placed at the start of a sentence to introduce the subject. Example: 關於呢件事... (gwaan1 jyu1 ni1 gin6 si6...; Regarding this matter...).
  • Descriptive: Used after 係 (hai6) to describe a noun. In this case, it usually ends with the particle 嘅 (ge3). Example: 呢本書係關於歷史嘅 (ni1 bun2 syu1 hai6 gwaan1 jyu1 lik6 si2 ge3; This book is about history).
  • Noun Modifier: It can modify a noun directly using 嘅 (ge3). Example: 關於環保嘅講座 (gwaan1 jyu1 waan4 bou2 ge3 gong2 zo6; A seminar about environmental protection).

Formal Synonym:
In professional or formal settings, you will often hear 有關 (jau5 gwaan1), which means 'related to' or 'concerning'. For example: 有關部門 (jau5 gwaan1 bou6 mun4; the relevant departments).

Note on Register: In very casual speech, native speakers might just use 'topic-fronting' (saying the noun first) or the phrase 講到 (gong2 dou3, 'speaking of') instead of 關於.

Examples (4)

  1. 關於呢件事，我想問下你嘅意見。

    Regarding this matter, I would like to ask for your opinion.

    Word by Word: About this [classifier] matter, I want ask [briefly] your opinion.

    Here, 關於 (gwaan1 jyu1) starts the sentence to set the topic before the main clause.

  2. 我琴晚發咗個夢，係關於你嘅。

    I had a dream last night; it was about you.

    Word by Word: I last-night emit [aspect] [classifier] dream, is about you [particle].

    In this example, 關於 (gwaan1 jyu1) follows the verb 係 (hai6) to describe the content of the dream.

  3. 呢本書係關於香港歷史嘅。

    This book is about Hong Kong history.

    Word by Word: This [classifier] book is about Hong Kong history [particle].

    The pattern 係關於...嘅 (hai6 gwaan1 jyu1... ge3) is the standard way to say 'is about...' for books, movies, or stories.

  4. 你有冇關於呢個計劃嘅資料？

    Do you have any information regarding this plan?

    Word by Word: You have-not-have about this [classifier] plan [possessive] information?

    Here, the entire phrase '關於呢個計劃' modifies the noun '資料' (information) using the particle 嘅 (ge3).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 關於 where 對於 fits an attitude better.

    Different Meaning關於呢個計劃，我好滿意。
    對於呢個計劃，我好滿意。

    關於呢個計劃，我好滿意 is natural. 關於 (gwaan1 jyu1) introduces the topic. 對於 (deoi3 jyu1) is more precise when you express a feeling or attitude towards it.

  • Omitting the final 嘅 (ge3) when using it descriptively.

    Different Meaning呢套戲係關於愛情。
    呢套戲係關於愛情嘅。

    After 係 (hai6), the particle 嘅 (ge3) is usually added at the end of the phrase, though in casual speech people sometimes leave it off.

How It Connects

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關於Level 3About/concerning

Learn This First

To use '關於' (about/concerning), you need to understand how to frame a basic sentence and how to refer to specific objects or matters using demonstratives. It functions as a coverb or preposition that introduces the topic of the sentence.

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