Learn Hardcore Chinese: zhè gè wèntí duì tā hěn zhòngyào.

In Chinese, many adjectives function like stative verbs and can be used directly as predicates. 重要 is an adjective meaning “important,” so 这个问题…很重要 is complete without 是. Using 是 before a predicate adjective is usually unnecessary unless you’re using an emphatic pattern like 是…的 or making a contrast.

What does 很 do here? Does it always mean “very”?

很 is an adverb that often serves as a neutral linker before adjectives in simple statements. It can mean “very,” but in sentences like this it often just avoids an implied contrast or comparison. Without it, 这个问题对他重要 can sound contrastive (“is important (as opposed to not)”) or a bit abrupt. In everyday affirmative statements, using 很 is natural.

Can I say 这个问题对他是很重要的?

Yes, but it adds emphasis or a “fact-stating” tone: “This issue is indeed/definitely very important to him.” The 是…的 frame can also nominalize the description, e.g., when followed by more information or used in written emphasis. It’s stronger than the plain form.

What does 对 mean here, and why not use 给/对于/关于?

对 here is a preposition marking the target/experiencer: “to/for (in relation to).” 这个问题对他很重要 = “This issue is important to him.”
给 is “to give/to/for (benefit)” and doesn’t work for this meaning: 给他很重要 is ungrammatical.
对于 is more formal and often used with topics/abstract nouns; you can say 这个问题对于他很重要, which sounds a bit more formal.
关于 means “about/regarding” and cannot mark the experiencer: 关于他很重要 is wrong.

Where does 对他 go in the sentence? Can I move it?

Default placement is: Subject + 对/对于 + NP + Predicate adjective: 这个问题对他很重要.
You can front it for emphasis: 对他，这个问题很重要 (“As for him, this issue is important”).
Putting it at the end (…很重要对他) is ungrammatical.

What’s the difference between 对他 and 对他来说?

对他 highlights the person being affected.
对他来说 means “from his point of view/as far as he is concerned,” adding a viewpoint nuance.
Both are fine here; 对他来说 is slightly more explicit and a bit more formal. Synonyms: 对他而言/对他来讲.

Why is 个 used after 这? Can I say 这问题?

With demonstratives (这/那) or numbers, Chinese normally requires a measure word. 个 is the default classifier: 这个问题.
Colloquially, some people might say 这问题, but in standard Mandarin you should include the measure word.

Are there other measure words for 问题?

For general “issue/problem”: 一个问题 is standard.
For test/exam “question,” Chinese often uses 题/题目 with 道: 一道题/一道题目.
You’ll hear 一道难题 (a tough problem), but saying 一道问题 is much less common than 一个问题.

What’s the difference between 问题 and 事情 (事) here?

问题: “question/problem/issue” (something to be discussed or solved).
事情/事: “matter/affair/event” (a happening or situation).
Both can work with 对…很重要. 这件事对他很重要 = “This matter is important to him,” which feels more event-like than 这个问题.

How do I negate this sentence?

Simple negation: 这个问题对他不重要。
Pronunciation tip: 不 changes to bú before the 4th tone in 重要: say bú zhòngyào.
Softer: 不太重要 (“not very important”).
Strong: 一点也不重要 / 并不重要 (“not important at all / not important (in fact)”).

How do I ask “Is this important to him?”

With 吗: 这个问题对他重要吗？
A‑not‑A: 这个问题对他重要不重要？
If you ask 很重要吗？, you’re specifically asking whether it’s “very” important.

How can I intensify beyond 很?

Stronger: 非常重要 / 特别重要 / 格外重要.
Emphatic/exclamatory: 太重要了！
Superlative: 最重要 (“the most important”).

Pronunciation tips for this sentence?

这个 is commonly pronounced zhège (with 个 in a neutral tone) or in some regions zhèi ge.
很重要: hěn zhòngyào (3rd + 4th + 4th). No 3rd‑tone sandhi is needed here because 重要 doesn’t start with a 3rd tone.
If you negate: 不重要 → pronounced bú zhòngyào (tone sandhi on 不).

Can I say 他对这个问题很重要?

No. That structure is unnatural. You want the issue to be important “to him,” so say 这个问题对他很重要.
If you mean “He attaches great importance to this issue,” say 他对这个问题很重视 or 他很在乎这个问题.

Where do adverbs like 也/只/都 go?

也 (also): 这个问题对他也很重要。
只 (only): 这个问题只对他很重要。 (Only he finds it important.)
都 (all): with a plural subject/experiencer, e.g., 这个问题对他们都很重要。

Can I drop 他 or replace it?

Dropping 对他 changes the meaning to a general statement: 这个问题很重要 (“This issue is important” in general).
You can replace 他 with other pronouns: 我/你/她/它/他们/您 (e.g., 对我很重要, “important to me”).

When do I add 的 after 重要?

Predicate (no 的): 很重要 → 这个问题对他很重要.
Attributive before a noun (needs 的): 很重要的 → 一个很重要的问题 (“a very important question”).
Emphatic/nominalizing: 是很重要的 → 这个问题对他是很重要的 (emphatic statement).

Can I use 对于 instead of 对 here?

Yes: 这个问题对于他很重要 is grammatical and sounds more formal. 对 is more common in everyday speech, especially with people as the experiencer. With abstract topics (e.g., “policy,” “the environment”), 对于 is frequent: 这项政策对于经济很重要.