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

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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.  
 
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.  
  
== When they have the same form and same meaning when used with 说 ==
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== Used with 说 in the Same Way ==
  
 
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.  
 
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.  
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</div>
 
</div>
  
== When they have a similar grammar structure but different meanings ==
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== Similar Structures but Different Meanings ==
 
 
跟 and 对 can be verbs, and they often are used with a 着, however their meanings are different.
 
  
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跟 and 对 can both be verbs, and they are often used with 着, however their meanings are different.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
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</div>
 
</div>
  
==== Examples for 跟====
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=== Examples for 跟 ===
 
 
跟 is a verb, and its 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.
 
 
 
  
 +
跟 can be a verb, and its simplest meaning is "follow." Often it is used as a verb phrase, such as 跟着, 跟上, 跟不上, or 跟得上. Then there's 跟 somebody + Verb, in which 跟 is arguably not a verb, but we'll include it here for convenience.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
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</div>
 
</div>
  
==== Examples for 对====
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=== 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.
 
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.
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</div>
 
</div>
  
== When to use 跟 and not 对 ==
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== 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.
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跟 is a preposition, and it can be used in [[comparing|comparison patterns]]. 对 cannot be used this way.
  
=== Structure 1 ===
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=== Comparison Structure with 一样 ===
  
 
This structure is used to explain that two things are (or aren't) similar.
 
This structure is used to explain that two things are (or aren't) similar.
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</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Structure 2===
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=== Comparison Structure with 一样 + Adj.===
  
 
This structure shows that two nouns are the same in some some aspect, which is the word that follows "一样."
 
This structure shows that two nouns are the same in some some aspect, which is the word that follows "一样."
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</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Structure 3 ===
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=== 跟 as "and" or "with" ===
  
"" functions as a conjunction in this structure, joining two things together. Generally, these are nouns or pronouns (as with ""). "" cannot function like this.
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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">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
* 你 要 <em>跟</em> 我 一起 去 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yào <em>gēn</em> wǒ yīqǐ qù ma?</span><span class="trans">Are you going to go with me?</span>
 
* 你 要 <em>跟</em> 我 一起 去 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yào <em>gēn</em> wǒ yīqǐ qù ma?</span><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="pinyin">Xiānhuā <em>gēn</em> qiǎokèlì shì zuì hǎo de lǐwù.</span><span class="trans">Flowers and chocolate are the best gifts.</span>
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* 鲜花 <em>跟</em> 巧克力 是 最好 的 礼物。<span class="pinyin">Xiānhuā <em>gēn</em> qiǎokèlì shì zuì hǎo de lǐwù.</span><span class="trans">Flowers and chocolate are the best gifts.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Examples when to use 对 and not 跟 ==
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== When to Use 对 and not 跟 ==
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== 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.
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When 对 as a preposition, it points to a certain target, since it can mean "facing" or "toward." 跟 can only be used this way with 说.
 
 
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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* 那 个 美女 正 <em>对</em> 我 笑 呢。<span class="pinyin">Nàge měinǚ zhèng <em>duì</em> wǒ xiào ne.</span><span class="trans">That pretty girl is laughing at me.</span>
 
* 那 个 美女 正 <em>对</em> 我 笑 呢。<span class="pinyin">Nàge měinǚ zhèng <em>duì</em> wǒ xiào ne.</span><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="pinyin">Bùyào <em>duì</em> lǎobǎn fā píqì, bùrán hòuguǒ hěn yánzhòng.</span><span class="trans">Don't lose your temper with the boss, otherwise there will be serious consequences.</span>
 
* 不 要 <em>对</em> 老板 发脾气, 不然 后果 很 严重。<span class="pinyin">Bùyào <em>duì</em> lǎobǎn fā píqì, bùrán hòuguǒ hěn yánzhòng.</span><span class="trans">Don't lose your temper with the boss, otherwise there will be serious consequences.</span>
</div>
 
 
== Example Dialogue ==
 
 
<div class="liju">
 
* A: 那 个 帅哥 在 <em>对</em> 我 招手!<span class="pinyin">A: Nàge shuàigē zài <em>duì</em> wǒ zhāoshǒu!</span><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="pinyin">B: Nà nǐ yào <em>gēn</em> tā qù ma?</span><span class="trans">Well, are you going to go with him?</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  

Revision as of 06:03, 5 December 2020

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.

Used with 说 in the Same Way

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

  • 她 说 了,但是 她 不 信。gēn tā shuō le, dànshì tā bù xìn.I told her, but she didn't believe me.
  • 她 说 了,但是 她 不 信。duì tā shuō le, dànshì tā bù xìn.I told her, but she didn't believe me.
  • 我 说 他 爱 我。duì wǒ shuō tā ài wǒ.He told me he loved me.
  • 我 说 他 爱 我。gēn wǒ shuō tā ài wǒ.He told me he loved me.
  • 刚才 你 他 说 什么 了?Gāngcái nǐ duì tā shuō shén me le?What did you just tell him?
  • 刚才 你 他 说 什么 了?Gāngcái nǐ gēn tā shuō shén me le?What did you just tell him?

Similar Structures but Different Meanings

跟 and 对 can both be verbs, and they are often used with 着, however their meanings are different.

Structure

Subj. + 跟 / 对 + Obj.

Examples for 跟

跟 can be a verb, and its simplest meaning is "follow." Often it is used as a verb phrase, such as 跟着, 跟上, 跟不上, or 跟得上. Then there's 跟 somebody + Verb, in which 跟 is arguably not a verb, but we'll include it here for convenience.

  • 这 只 小 猫 总是 跟着 我。Zhè zhǐ xiǎo māo zǒng shì gēnzhe wǒ.This little cat always follows me.
  • 你 走 得 太 快 ,我 跟不上Nǐ zǒu de tài kuài, wǒ gēn bù shàng.You walk too fast, I can't keep up.
  • 你 想 跟 我 去 吗?Nǐ xiǎng gēn wǒ qù ma?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。Qiāng kǒu bùyào duìzhe rén.Don't point guns at people.
  • 我 喜欢 对着 镜子 笑。Wǒ xǐhuān duìzhe jìngzi xiào.I like to laugh at myself in the mirror.
  • 这 两 本 账 对不上Zhè liǎng běn zhàng duì bù shàng.These two accounts don't match up.

When to Use 跟 and not 对

跟 is a preposition, and it can be used in comparison patterns. 对 cannot be used this way.

Comparison Structure with 一样

This structure is used to explain that two things are (or aren't) similar.

A + 跟 + B + (不)一样

Examples

  • 你们 不一样,我 还 有 孩子 呢。gēn nǐmen bù yīyàng, wǒ hái yǒu háizi ne.I am not like you guys. I still have kids.
  • 上海 纽约 一样,都 是 国际 大 都市。Shànghǎi gēn Niǔyuē yīyàng, dōu shì guójì dà dūshì.Shanghai and New York are alike; they are both international cities.

Comparison Structure with 一样 + Adj.

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 我 爸 一样 Wǒ xiànzài gēn wǒ bà yīyàng gāo.Now I'm as tall as my dad.
  • 你 妈 一样 喜欢 买 衣服gēn nǐ mā yīyàng xǐhuān mǎi yīfú.You like to buy clothes just like your mother.

跟 as "and" or "with"

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 我 一起 去 吗?Nǐ yào gēn wǒ yīqǐ qù ma?Are you going to go with me?
  • 鲜花 巧克力 是 最好 的 礼物。Xiānhuā gēn qiǎokèlì shì zuì hǎo de lǐwù.Flowers and chocolate are the best gifts.

When to Use 对 and not 跟

Structure

When 对 as a preposition, it points to a certain target, since it can mean "facing" or "toward." 跟 can only be used this way with 说.

Subj. 1 对 Subj. 2 + Verb

Examples

  • 那 个 美女 正 我 笑 呢。Nàge měinǚ zhèng duì wǒ xiào ne.That pretty girl is laughing at me.
  • 不 要 老板 发脾气, 不然 后果 很 严重。Bùyào duì lǎobǎn fā píqì, bùrán hòuguǒ hěn yánzhòng.Don't lose your temper with the boss, otherwise there will be serious consequences.

See Also

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries

HSK5