Comparing "gen" and "dui" (Redirected from ASGC5Y86) Level B2 Similar to Expressing "with" with "gen" (A2) Using "dui" with verbs (B1) Used for Describing actions Keywords 跟, 对跟 (gēn) and 对 (duì) sometimes seem like they mean the same thing, and at other times they seem to be different. You need to be aware which cases are which. Contents 1 When they have the same form and same meaning when used with 说 1.1 Structure 1.1.1 Examples 2 When they have a similar grammar structure but different meanings 2.1 Structure 2.1.1 Examples for 跟 2.1.2 Examples for 对 3 When to use 跟 and not 对 3.1 Structure 1 3.1.1 Examples 3.2 Structure 2 3.2.1 Examples 3.3 Structure 3 3.3.1 Examples 4 Examples when to use 对 and not 跟 4.1 Structure 4.1.1 Examples 5 Example Dialog 6 See Also 7 Sources and further reading 7.1 Books 7.2 Dictionaries 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） (pp. 201) [ →buy] Dictionaries 现代汉语词典（第5版） (pp. 465, 343) →buy