Introducing Objects and Targets with 当着 and 就 (HSK 7-9)

Syllabus Scope and Core Distinction

The supplied outline lists 当着 and 就6 among prepositions introducing an object or related participant. Here, object is a broad syllabus label: it does not mean a direct object after a transitive verb. 就6 identifies the relevant entry in that outline. The number is not pronounced and need not match the numbering of a separate dictionary.

These words express different relations. 当着他谈这件事 places him in the situation as someone present; 就这件事谈谈 makes the matter the topic. A person, document, or object can also become the subject matter of a discussion, so the distinction is the intended relation, not simply whether the following noun is alive or abstract.

Using 当着: In Someone’s Presence

当着 (dāngzhe) commonly means in someone’s presence. Learn 当着 as a whole preposition in these examples; do not mechanically change 着 to 了 or 过 as if marking a completed or experienced action. The related pattern 当他的面 is also possible. The existence of that pattern does not make every deletion of 着 appropriate.

Both 当着他的面说 and 当着他说 can be natural. 的面 makes the presence relation explicit; its omission is not restricted to plural groups. Read 当着他 with the following predicate, rather than judging that short phrase in isolation. The right choice depends on the whole sentence and rhythm.

Using 就 (Sense 6): Regarding a Topic or Scope

就 (jiù) has several common uses. Here it is the preposition meaning regarding or with respect to. It can introduce the topic of a discussion or the scope of a judgment. This use is frequent in formal communication, but a short frame such as 就我来说 can also appear in conversation.

A common order is subject + 就 + topic + discussion verb, as in 双方就合作细节交换意见. In 专家们将就这一社会现象展开讨论, 将 precedes the 就 phrase. A topical 就 phrase can also come before the subject: 就这个问题，我们还需要进一步讨论. The topic need not itself be an abstract noun; what matters is that it is what the discussion concerns.

就…而言 and 就…来说 frame a judgment as applying to a particular scope: 就目前的市场情况而言. This can appear at the beginning, but initial position is not compulsory: 这项投资，就目前的市场情况而言，风险偏高 is also possible.

Useful Contrasts and Register

• Register: 当着 is common in speech and narrative. Topic-introducing 就 is frequent in formal discussion, while frames such as 就我来说 also occur conversationally.
• Meaning: 当着 identifies whose presence an action occurs in; 就 identifies what the discussion or evaluation concerns.
• 对 can introduce the person or thing an attitude or action concerns. 当着 emphasizes presence; the action need not be directed at that person.
• 关于 and 就 can both introduce a topic, and both may appear before the subject: 关于这个问题，我们讨论过; 就这个问题，我们讨论过. They are not interchangeable in every construction. Learn common whole phrases, including 关于…的说明 and 就…而言, rather than using sentence position as the sole test.

Common Learner Error

The manager’s intended topic below is the budget plan. 当着 does not introduce a topic in that way. 就 expresses regarding naturally here; 对明天的预算方案发表看法 is another possible wording. This is a mismatch in the relation being expressed, not proof that 当着 can never occur before any nonhuman referent.

Frequently asked questions