ChineseGrammarWiki/Programmes/B2.old/Grammar-wiki-B2-123.txt

{{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 ===

<div class="jiegou">
Person A + 跟 / 对 + Person B 说
</div>

==== Examples ====

<div class="liju">
* 我 <em>跟</em> 她 说 了，但是 她 不 信。<span class="trans">I told her, but she didn't believe me.</span>
* 我 <em>对</em> 她 说 了，但是 她 不 信。<span class="trans">I told her, but she didn't believe me.</span>
* 他 <em>对</em> 我 说 他 爱 我。<span class="trans">He told me he loved me.</span>
* 他 <em>跟</em> 我 说 他 爱 我。<span class="trans">He told me he loved me.</span>
* 刚才 你 <em>对</em> 他 说 什么 了？<span class="trans">What did you just tell him?</span>
* 刚才 你 <em>跟</em> 他 说 什么 了？<span class="trans">What did you just tell him?</span>
</div>

== 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 ===

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + 跟 / 对 + Obj.
</div>

==== 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.



<div class="liju">
* 这 只 小 猫 总是 <em>跟着</em> 我。<span class="trans">This little cat always follows me.</span>
* 你 走 得 太 快 ，我 <em>跟不上</em>。<span class="trans">You walk too fast, I can't keep up.</span>
* 你 想 <em>跟 我 去</em> 吗？<span class="trans">Do you want to go with me?</span>
</div>

==== 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.


<div class="liju">
* 枪口 不 要 <em>对着</em> 人。<span class="trans">Don't point that at people.</span>
* 我 喜欢 <em>对着</em> 镜子 笑。<span class="trans">I like to laugh at myself in the mirror.</span>
* 这 两 本 账 <em>对不上</em>。<span class="trans">These two accounts don't match up.</span>
</div>

== 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.

<div class="jiegou">
A + 跟 + B + （不）一样
</div>

==== Examples ====

<div class="liju">
* 我 <em>跟</em> 你们 <em>不一样</em>，我 还 有 孩子 呢。<span class="trans">I am not like you guys. I still have kids.</span>
* 上海 <em>跟</em> 纽约 <em>一样</em>，都 是 国际 大 都市。<span class="trans">Shanghai and New York are alike; they are both international cities.</span>
</div>

=== Structure 2===

This structure shows that two nouns are the same in some some aspect, which is the word that follows "一样."

<div class="jiegou">
A + 跟 + B + （不）一样 + Adj.
</div>

==== Examples ====

<div class="liju">
* 我 现在 <em>跟</em> 我 爸 <em>一样</em> <strong>高</strong>。<span class="trans">Now I'm as tall as my dad.</span>
* 你 <em>跟</em> 你 妈 <em>一样</em> <strong>喜欢 买 衣服</strong>。<span class="trans">You like to buy clothes just like your mother.</span>
</div>

=== 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.

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. 1 跟 Subj. 2 + Verb-Obj.
</div>

==== Examples ====

<div class="liju">
* 你 要 <em>跟</em> 我 一起 去 吗？<span class="trans">Are you going to go with me?</span>
* 鲜花 <em>跟</em>巧克力 是 最 好 的 礼物。<span class="trans">Flowers and chocolate are the best gifts.</span>
</div>

== 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.


<div class="jiegou">
Subj. 1 对 Subj. 2 + Verb
</div>

==== Examples ====

<div class="liju">
* 那 个 美女 正 <em>对</em> 我 笑 呢。<span class="trans">That pretty girl is laughing at me.</span>
* 不 要 <em>对</em> 老板 发脾气， 不然 后果 很 严重。<span class="trans">Don't lose your temper with the boss, otherwise there will be serious consequences.</span>
</div>

== Example Dialog ==

<div class="liju">
* A: 那 个 帅哥 在 <em>对</em> 我 招手！<span class="trans">That handsome guy is motioning for me to go to him!</span>
* B: 那 你 要 <em>跟</em> 他 去 吗？<span class="trans">Well, are you going to go with him?</span>
</div>

== 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 <em>对</em> 我 招手！那 你 要 <em>跟</em> 他 去 吗？|grammar point|ASGC5Y86}}
{{Rel char|对}}
{{Similar|Expressing "with" with "gen"}}
{{Similar|Using "dui"}}
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
{{Comparison|Conjunctions}}