When learning Mandarin Chinese, one of the trickiest parts for English speakers is mastering the use of prepositions. In this article, we will focus on one of the most versatile and commonly used prepositions in Mandarin: 跟 (gēn). Understanding how to use 跟 correctly can significantly improve your fluency and comprehension of the language.
What is 跟?
In Mandarin, 跟 is a preposition that is often used to indicate relationships, companionship, and comparisons. It can translate to various English prepositions such as “with,” “to,” “from,” or “and,” depending on the context. Its versatility makes it an essential component of everyday communication in Chinese.
Using 跟 to Indicate Companionship
One of the primary uses of 跟 is to indicate that someone is performing an action “with” someone else. This usage is quite straightforward and can be compared to the English preposition “with.”
Example:
– 我跟朋友一起去吃饭。(Wǒ gēn péngyǒu yīqǐ qù chīfàn.)
– I am going to eat with my friend.
In this sentence, 跟 indicates that the speaker and their friend are going together to eat. The structure is simple: subject + 跟 + companion + verb.
Using 跟 for Comparisons
Another common usage of 跟 is to make comparisons, similar to the English word “and.” This is particularly useful when comparing characteristics or preferences.
Example:
– 这件衣服跟那件衣服一样。(Zhè jiàn yīfú gēn nà jiàn yīfú yīyàng.)
– This piece of clothing is the same as that piece of clothing.
In this example, 跟 is used to compare two pieces of clothing, indicating that they are the same. The structure for making comparisons is: subject + 跟 + compared object + adjective.
Using 跟 to Indicate Direction or Source
跟 can also be used to indicate the direction or source of an action, similar to the English prepositions “to” or “from.”
Example:
– 我跟老师学习中文。(Wǒ gēn lǎoshī xuéxí zhōngwén.)
– I study Chinese from the teacher.
Here, 跟 is used to show that the source of the learning is the teacher. The structure is: subject + 跟 + source + verb + object.
Common Phrases and Expressions with 跟
To get a better grasp of how versatile 跟 can be, let’s look at some common phrases and expressions that use 跟.
跟 … 一起
This phrase means “together with.” It is frequently used in sentences to indicate that two or more people are doing something together.
Example:
– 他跟我一起去看电影。(Tā gēn wǒ yīqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng.)
– He is going to watch a movie with me.
跟 … 说
This phrase means “to say to” or “to tell.” It is used when you want to say that someone is telling something to someone else.
Example:
– 请跟我说。(Qǐng gēn wǒ shuō.)
– Please tell me.
跟 … 见面
This phrase means “to meet with.” It is used when arranging a meeting or encounter with someone.
Example:
– 我今天下午跟他见面。(Wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ gēn tā jiànmiàn.)
– I am meeting him this afternoon.
Advanced Uses of 跟
Once you become more comfortable with the basic uses of 跟, you can start exploring its more advanced applications. These include its use in idiomatic expressions, in conjunction with other prepositions, and in more complex sentence structures.
Idiomatic Expressions with 跟
Mandarin Chinese is rich with idiomatic expressions, and many of them involve 跟. Learning these expressions can make your language skills sound more native and nuanced.
Example:
– 跟不上 (gēn bù shàng)
– To be unable to keep up
Example Sentence:
– 他跑得太快了，我跟不上。(Tā pǎo de tài kuài le, wǒ gēn bù shàng.)
– He runs too fast; I can’t keep up.
Combining 跟 with Other Prepositions
In some cases, 跟 can be used in combination with other prepositions to add more detail to your sentences.
Example:
– 跟 … 在一起 (gēn … zài yīqǐ)
– To be together with someone at a place
Example Sentence:
– 他跟朋友在一起玩。(Tā gēn péngyǒu zài yīqǐ wán.)
– He is playing together with his friends.
Complex Sentence Structures
As you advance in your Mandarin studies, you will encounter more complex sentence structures that use 跟. Mastering these will allow you to express more sophisticated ideas.
Example:
– 跟 … 之间 (gēn … zhījiān)
– Between … and
Example Sentence:
– 这件事跟我们之间的关系很重要。(Zhè jiàn shì gēn wǒmen zhījiān de guānxì hěn zhòngyào.)
– This matter is very important to the relationship between us.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even though 跟 is a common and useful preposition, it is easy to make mistakes when using it, especially if you are an English speaker. Here are some common mistakes and tips on how to avoid them.
Confusing 跟 with 和 (hé)
One of the most common mistakes is confusing 跟 with 和 (hé), another word that means “and” or “with.” While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, they are not always synonymous.
– 跟 is usually used in more active contexts, such as actions or relationships.
– 和 is often used in more static contexts, such as lists or descriptions.
Example:
– 我和他是朋友。(Wǒ hé tā shì péngyǒu.)
– He and I are friends.
– 我跟他一起去。(Wǒ gēn tā yīqǐ qù.)
– I am going with him.
Overusing 跟
Another common mistake is overusing 跟, especially in contexts where it may not be necessary. Mandarin is a language that values brevity and efficiency, so unnecessary words can make your sentences sound awkward.
Example:
– Incorrect: 我跟他跟你说。(Wǒ gēn tā gēn nǐ shuō.)
– Correct: 我跟你说。(Wǒ gēn nǐ shuō.)
– I tell you.
Incorrect Word Order
Mandarin Chinese has a different sentence structure than English, and placing 跟 in the wrong part of the sentence can lead to confusion.
Example:
– Incorrect: 我去跟朋友吃饭。(Wǒ qù gēn péngyǒu chīfàn.)
– Correct: 我跟朋友去吃饭。(Wǒ gēn péngyǒu qù chīfàn.)
– I am going to eat with my friend.
Practice Exercises
To help solidify your understanding of how to use 跟, here are some practice exercises. Try to translate the following sentences into Mandarin using 跟.
1. I am studying Chinese with my classmates.
2. She is going to the park with her dog.
3. This book is not the same as that book.
4. I can’t keep up with him.
5. He told me about the meeting.
Answers:
1. 我跟同学一起学习中文。(Wǒ gēn tóngxué yīqǐ xuéxí zhōngwén.)
2. 她跟她的狗一起去公园。(Tā gēn tā de gǒu yīqǐ qù gōngyuán.)
3. 这本书跟那本书不一样。(Zhè běn shū gēn nà běn shū bù yīyàng.)
4. 我跟不上他。(Wǒ gēn bù shàng tā.)
5. 他跟我说了会议的事。(Tā gēn wǒ shuō le huìyì de shì.)
Conclusion
Mastering the use of 跟 in Mandarin Chinese can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and naturally. Its versatility and common usage make it a crucial component of everyday conversation. By understanding its various applications, from indicating companionship to making comparisons, you can improve both your spoken and written Chinese. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to context, and you will find that using 跟 becomes second nature. Happy learning!
