对 ... 来说 / 在 ... 看来
Two perspective markers that look similar but do different jobs. Reach for 对 X 来说 when you want to say how something AFFECTS or LANDS for X — its impact, its consequence, what it means for them. Reach for 在 X 看来 when you want to report how X SEES or JUDGES something — their opinion or interpretation. Both topicalize a viewpoint at the start of a clause and are everywhere in news analysis, business commentary, and opinion writing.
Structure
对 [PERSON/GROUP] 来说，[IMPACT] / 在 [PERSON/GROUP] 看来，[OPINION]
duì... láishuō / zài... kànlái
How to Think About It
对...来说 points outward — it asks 'what does this MEAN for them?' (consequence, stake, importance). 在...看来 points inward — it asks 'what do they THINK of this?' (judgment, view). Test by swapping in English: if you can rephrase as 'in X's eyes,' use 在...看来; if you'd say 'as far as X is concerned' or 'for X,' use 对...来说.
Examples
对年轻人来说，房价太高是最大的压力。
Duì niánqīngrén láishuō, fángjià tài gāo shì zuì dà de yālì.
For young people, high housing prices are the biggest source of pressure.
在他看来，这只是一次普通的会议。
Zài tā kànlái, zhè zhǐshì yí cì pǔtōng de huìyì.
In his view, this is just an ordinary meeting.
对公司来说，留住人才比招新人更重要。
Duì gōngsī láishuō, liúzhù réncái bǐ zhāo xīnrén gèng zhòngyào.
For the company, retaining talent matters more than hiring new people.
Common Mistake
Learners use 对...来说 to introduce someone's opinion, when the right tool is 在...看来. The result reads as a statement of fact rather than a personal view.
对他来说，这部电影是最好的。
在他看来，这部电影是最好的。
Don't Confuse With
对于...
对于 = 'regarding / with respect to' — it sets the topic but doesn't anchor a viewpoint. Use 对于 to introduce a subject; use 对...来说 to assess that subject's impact on someone.
按照...的说法
按照 X 的说法 = 'according to what X said' — quotes a source. 在 X 看来 = X's overall view, not a specific quotation.
从...角度
从 X 角度 = 'from the angle of X' — frames a method or discipline (economically, historically). 在 X 看来 = the person's actual opinion, not just an analytical lens.
Practice
对Meta ___，这是要补上自己AI智能体这块短板。
Show answer
来说
在专家 ___，这个政策需要更多讨论。
Show answer
看来
Arrange: 来说 / 对 / 这次旅行 / 一次挑战 / 我 / 是
Show answer
对我来说，这次旅行是一次挑战。
In her view, the decision was too rushed.
Show answer
在她看来，这个决定太仓促了。
Write one sentence with 对...来说 and one with 在...看来 about the same topic.
Show answer
对学生来说，考试很重要；在老师看来，平时的努力更重要。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: