Topic-Shifting Preposition 至于 (zhìyú): As for... (and 不至于: not go so far as to...)

Pattern

• Clause 1，至于 + Topic/Clause 2，Clause
• Subject + 不至于 + Verb phrase

Usage

• 至于 has two core uses at HSK 5: (1) Topic shifting ("as for / when it comes to"): after stating one fact, 至于 introduces a related secondary topic or question, followed by a comma and a comment clause (e.g., 课文我已经预习了，至于练习题，我还没做); (2) The negative compound 不至于 + V/Adj ("not go so far as to / hardly to the extent of"), indicating that a situation will not reach an extreme degree (e.g., 这点小事不至于让你这么生气).
• Distinguish 至于 from 关于: 关于 can open a discourse or title on its own, whereas 至于 must follow a previously mentioned context to shift the topic.

Examples

1. 1

   课文我已经预习了，至于练习题，我还没做。

   Kèwén wǒ yǐjīng yùxí le, zhìyú liànxítí, wǒ hái méi zuò.

   I have already previewed the text; as for the practice exercises, I haven't done them yet.

2. 2

   我会去开会，至于他去不去，由他自己决定。

   Wǒ huì qù kāihuì, zhìyú tā qù bù qù, yóu tā zìjǐ juédìng.

   I will go to the meeting; as for whether he goes or not, that is up to him to decide.

3. 3

   这点小事不至于让你这么生气。

   Zhè diǎn xiǎoshì bù zhìyú ràng nǐ zhème shēngqì.

   Such a trivial matter shouldn't go so far as to make you this angry.