{{Grammar Box}} 跟 (gēn) and 对 (duì) sometimes seem like they mean the same thing, and at other times they seem to be different.After reading this article, you will know the difference! == When they have the same form and same meaning when used with 说 == When using the verb 说, 跟 and 对 can both be used in a similar sentence pattern. 跟 and 对 are both prepositions, and they both express one person speaking to another. === Structure ===
Person A + 跟 / 对 + Person B 说
==== Examples ====
* 我 跟 她 说 了，但是 她 不 信。I told her, but she didn't believe me. * 我 对 她 说 了，但是 她 不 信。I told her, but she didn't believe me. * 他 对 我 说 他 爱 我。He told me he loved me. * 他 跟 我 说 他 爱 我。He told me he loved me. * 刚才 你 对 他 说 什么 了？What did you just tell him? * 刚才 你 跟 他 说 什么 了？What did you just tell him?
== When they have a similar grammar structure but different meanings == 跟 and 对 can be verbs, and they often are used with a 着, however their meanings are different. === Structure ===
Subj. + 跟 / 对 + Obj.
==== Examples for 跟==== 跟 is a verb, and it's simplest meaning is "follow." Often it is used as a verb phrase, such as 跟着, 跟上, 跟不上, 跟得上, 跟somebody + Verb.
* 这 只 小 猫 总是 跟着 我。This little cat always follows me. * 你 走 得 太 快 ，我 跟不上。You walk too fast, I can't keep up. * 你 想 跟 我 去 吗？Do you want to go with me?
==== Examples for 对==== 对 is also a verb, put it has the meaning of "towards" or "point to." Often it is used as: 对着, 对上, 对不上.
* 枪口 不 要 对着 人。Don't point that at people. * 我 喜欢 对着 镜子 笑。I like to laugh at myself in the mirror. * 这 两 本 账 对不上。These two accounts don't match up.
== When to use 跟 and not 对 == 跟 is a proposition, and it can be used in comparison. It will often have a supplementary explanation, similar to how 和 can be used (as in 我和你一样高). 对 cannot be used this way. === Structure 1 === This structure is used to explain that two things are (or aren't) similar.
A + 跟 + B + （不）一样
==== Examples ====
* 我 跟 你们 不一样，我 还 有 孩子 呢。I am not like you guys. I still have kids. * 上海 跟 纽约 一样，都 是 国际 大 都市。Shanghai and New York are alike; they are both international cities.
=== Structure 2=== This structure shows that two nouns are the same in some some aspect, which is the word that follows "一样."
A + 跟 + B + （不）一样 + Adj.
==== Examples ====
* 我 现在 跟 我 爸 一样 高。Now I'm as tall as my dad. * 你 跟 你 妈 一样 喜欢 买 衣服。You like to buy clothes just like your mother.
=== Structure 3 === "跟" functions as a conjunction in this structure, joining two things together. Generally, these are nouns or pronouns (as with "和"). "对" cannot function like this.
Subj. 1 跟 Subj. 2 + Verb-Obj.
==== Examples ====
* 你 要 跟 我 一起 去 吗？Are you going to go with me? * 鲜花 跟巧克力 是 最 好 的 礼物。Flowers and chocolate are the best gifts.
== Examples when to use 对 and not 跟 == === Structure === When 对 as a proposition, it points to a certain target,since it can mean "point to" or "toward to." 跟 can only be used this way with 说.
Subj. 1 对 Subj. 2 + Verb
==== Examples ====
* 那 个 美女 正 对 我 笑 呢。That pretty girl is laughing at me. * 不 要 对 老板 发脾气， 不然 后果 很 严重。Don't lose your temper with the boss, otherwise there will be serious consequences.
== Example Dialog ==
* A: 那 个 帅哥 在 对 我 招手！That handsome guy is motioning for me to go to him! * B: 那 你 要 跟 他 去 吗？Well, are you going to go with him?
== See Also == * [[Expressing "with" with "gen"]] * [[Using "dui"]] == Sources and further reading == === Books === *[[现代汉语八百词（增订本）]] (跟 p. 201) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy] === Dictionaries === * [[现代汉语词典（第5版）]] (跟p.465 对p.343) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%8D%E5%85%B8/dp/B001B1RZCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693609&sr=8-1 →buy] [[Category:grammar comparison]] {{Basic Grammar|跟|B2|跟 vs 对|那 个 帅哥 在 对 我 招手！那 你 要 跟 他 去 吗？|grammar point|ASGC5Y86}} {{Rel char|对}} {{Similar|Expressing "with" with "gen"}} {{Similar|Using "dui"}} {{Used for|Describing actions}} {{Comparison|Conjunctions}}