Definition
跟 (gēn) is an everyday word meaning 'with' (together with someone) or 'and' (connecting two nouns). It is less formal than 和 (hé) and much more common in speech than 与 (yǔ), which is very formal/written. It can also be used for comparisons (meaning 'compared to'), similar to 较 (jiào) but less formal.
preposition
withtogether with(indicating comparison) compared to
conjunction
and (connecting two nouns)
Easily confused
- 根gēnlook-alike(noun) root; basis; origin
- 良liánglook-alike(adv, literary) very; used in set phrases before certain adjectives (多, 久, 苦, etc.)
- 限xiànlook-aliketo limit; to restrict
- 眼yǎnlook-alikeeye
- 银yínlook-alikesilver (the precious metal)
- 恨hènlook-aliketo hate
Examples
- 跟。Wǒ gēn péngyou yìqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng.I go to the movies with a friend.
- 跟。Wǒ gēn tā dōu shì xuéshēng.He and I are both students.
- 跟。Píngguǒ gēn xiāngjiāo dōu shì shuǐguǒ.Apples and bananas are both fruits.
Grammar
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