"about" ??

[Strawberries513]

I have always been totally lost whenever I try to figure out the word for "about" in Chinese. I mean in examples like these:

"the movie is about..."

"do you want to talk about X?"

"I dont know much about X."

or just anytime in english we use the word "about". I understand that there probably isnt a direct translation, but can you tell me how to convey that meaning then? Preferebly with examples

Thanks

[youpii]

you can use 关于..., 对于...，跟...有关

[Strawberries513]

thanks youpii, but could you use those in an example sentence please? I dont know where to put them.

[kudra]

Here are some example sentences from Spoken Standard Chinese vol 2, by Huang and Stimson, Chap. 15

这是关于中国学生的一个故事。This is a story about Chinese students.

她说了很多关于中国的事情。She talked a great deal about Chinese things.

So your examples might be ...

The movie is about X.

这是关于X的一个电影.

Do you want to talk about X?

关于X的事，你想商量商量吗？

I don't know much about X.

This I seem to remember should go something like -- an example from Chap 16, SSC.

我对中国历史没甚么研究。他对中国历史很有研究。

有学问 or 不太了解 (bu2 tai4 liao2jie3) might sound more coloquial, but don't take my word for it, let a native or advanced speaker address this.

Regarding guanyu, I seem to recall from HSK prep that there are some restrictions on allowed constructions. Which is why in my attempt at translating "Do you want to talk about X," essentially "about X" becomes 关于X的事. Also, I think you want switch the order around to give it a topic comment flavor.

There is probably a definitive statement on these patterns out there somewhere. Strawberries513 -- I am posting all this hoping for feedback to check my own understanding.

regarding (self referential pun )

or just anytime in english we use the word "about"

my impression is no one-size-fits-all word to use, rather there are a probably 3 or so patterns that work for specific relationships between the various nouns involved. Anyway, the examples above should get you started.

[mythia]

"the movie is about..."

这部电影是关于……

"do you want to talk about X?"

你想谈谈X吗？

"I dont know much about X."

对于（关于）X，我知道的并不多。

[[欧阳江]]

I'll give it a try:

这电影是关于 X (This movie is about X)

你想讨论关于 X 吗? / 你想讨论 X 吗? (Would you like to talk about X ?)

对于 X 我知道不多 (I don't know much about X)

[wai ming]

Does anyone here use 讲 for "this movie is about", "this book is about" etc?

I think you can say 这部电影讲的是。。。, 这本书讲的是。。

...that's why you may hear Chinese people say "This movie talks about..." in English

[wannabeafreak]

Does anyone here use 讲 for "this movie is about", "this book is about" etc?

I think you can say 这部电影讲的是。。。, 这本书讲的是。。

...that's why you may hear Chinese people say "This movie talks about..." in English

I thought the measure word for movie was 套?

[skylee]

Does anyone here use 讲 for "this movie is about"' date=' "this book is about" etc?

I think you can say 这部电影讲的是。。。, 这本书讲的是。。 [/quote']

Yes I do. And yes you can.

I thought the measure word for movie was 套?

部, 套, and 齣 are all ok.

[againstwind]

I found everyone above almost talked of the meaning of 'about' on 'in reference to; relating to; concerned with'. And I think according to Strawberries513

or just anytime in english we use the word "about".

'about' has many other usages which should correspond with Chinese translation.

So I collected some explanations about 'about':

adv.(副词)

1.Approximately; nearly:

大约；将近，差不多，几乎

e.g.

The interview lasted about an hour.

面试延续了大约（将近，差不多，几乎）一个小时

The job is about done.

工作差不多要完成了

2.In no particular direction;All around; on every side:

在…周围；四处

e.g.

Let's look about for help.

让我们四处寻求帮助

3.In the area or vicinity; near:

在近处，附近：在一地区或附近；近旁：

e.g.

He lives somewhere about here.

他住在这附近的某个地方。

He is speaking to a few spectators standing about.

他正在和站在他附近的围观者交谈。

prep.（介词）

1.On all sides of; surrounding; In the vicinity of; around

在…四周；环绕；在…附近；周围：

e.g.

They plan to explored the rivers and streams about the estate.

他们计划探究地产周围的河流和小溪

2.In reference to; relating to; concerned with:

关于：关于…；关系到；相关：

a book about snakes;

一本关于蛇的书

The movie is about F. M. Dostoevsky's life.

这是一部关于陀思妥耶夫斯基生平的电影。

3.Ready or prepared to do something:

准备做，预备做：准备或预备做某事：

The chorus is about to sing.

合唱团就要开始唱了

adj.（形容词）

Being in evidence or existence:

显著的，存在的：

Rumors are about concerning his resignation.

谣传说他要辞职。

Hope they are helpful.