Difference between revisions of "Comparing "gen" and "dui""

Revision as of 09:06, 26 November 2013

Level

B2 / HSK5
Level

B2
Level

HSK5
Similar to
- Expressing "with" with "gen" (A2)
- Using "dui" with verbs (B1)
Similar to
- Using "dui" with verbs (HSK2)
- Expressing "with" with "gen" (HSK3)
Used for

Describing actions
Keywords

对, 跟

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

Subject + 跟/对 + Object

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 + Adjective

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.

Subject 1 跟 Subject 2 + VO

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.

Subject 1 对 Subject 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?

Sources and further reading

Books

现代汉语八百词（增订本） (跟 p. 201) →buy

Dictionaries

现代汉语词典（第5版） (跟p.465 对p.343) →buy

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Grammar Box}} \r\n
+{{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! \r\n
-== When they have the same form and same meaning when used with 说 ==\r\nWhen 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. \r\n
-=== Structure ===\r\n<div class="jiegou">
+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>\r\n==== Examples ====\r\n<div class="liju">
+</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>
@@ Line 11: / Line 25: @@
 * 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>\r\n== When they have a similar grammar structure but different meanings ==\r\n跟 and 对 can be verbs, and they often are used with a 着, however their meanings are different. \r\n
+</div>
-=== Structure ===\r\n<div class="jiegou">
+== 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">
 Subject + 跟/对 + Object
-</div>\r\n==== Examples for 跟====\r\n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.\r\n\r\n<div class="liju">
+</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>\r\n==== Examples for 对====\r\n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.\r\n
+</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>\r\n== When to use 跟 and not 对 ==\r\n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.\r\n
+</div>
-=== Structure 1 ===\r\nThis structure is used to explain that two things are (or aren't) similar.\r\n<div class="jiegou">
+== 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>\r\n==== Examples ====\r\n<div class="liju">
+</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>\r\n=== Structure 2===\r\nThis structure shows that two nouns are the same in some some aspect, which is the word that follows "一样".\r\n<div class="jiegou">
+</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 + Adjective
-</div>\r\n==== Examples ====\r\n<div class="liju">
+</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>\r\n=== Structure 3 ===\r\n"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.\r\n<div class="jiegou">
+</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">
 Subject 1 跟 Subject 2 + VO
-</div>\r\n==== Examples ====\r\n<div class="liju">
+</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>\r\n== Examples when to use 对 and not 跟 ==\r\n=== Structure ===\r\nWhen 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.\r\n
+</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">
 Subject 1 对 Subject 2 + Verb
-</div>\r\n==== Examples ====\r\n<div class="liju">
+</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>\r\n== Example Dialog ==\r\n<div class="liju">
+</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>\r\n== See also ==\r\n* [[Expressing "with" with "gen"]]
+</div>
-* [[Using "dui"]]\r\n== Sources and further reading ==\r\n=== Books ===\r\n*[[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]\r\n=== 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]\r\n
+== 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}}

Difference between revisions of "Comparing "gen" and "dui""

Revision as of 09:06, 26 November 2013

Contents

When they have the same form and same meaning when used with 说

Structure

Examples

When they have a similar grammar structure but different meanings

Structure

Examples for 跟

Examples for 对

When to use 跟 and not 对

Structure 1

Examples

Structure 2

Examples

Structure 3

Examples

Examples when to use 对 and not 跟

Structure

Examples

Example Dialog

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries