Prepositions 给/对/跟
Prepositions 给, 对, and 跟 for recipients, targets, and companions
I can express recipients, targets, and companions using 给, 对, and 跟
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
我给你打电话。
I'll call you.
老师对学生很好。
The teacher is very nice to the students.
我跟朋友一起吃饭。
I eat with friends.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
给、对、跟
Three prepositions for expressing who an action involves.
| Prep | Pinyin | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 给 | gěi | to / for (recipient) | 给你打电话 (call you) |
| 对 | duì | to / toward (target) | 对我说 (say to me) |
| 跟 | gēn | with (companion) | 跟朋友去 (go with friends) |
给 marks the recipient: 我给他写信 (I write a letter to him). Can also be a verb: 给你 (give you).
对 marks the target of speech/attitude: 他对我很好 (He is nice to me).
跟 marks a companion: 我跟你一起去 (I'll go with you together).
All three come before the verb, like all Chinese prepositions.
Common Error Patterns
Confused 给 (recipient) with 对 (target of attitude/speech)
给 = giving/sending TO someone; 对 = attitude/speech directed AT someone.
我给你打电话。
I'll call you.
给 (gěi) marks the recipient of an action: 给你 (to you) + 打电话 (make a phone call).
老师对学生很好。
The teacher is very nice to the students.
对 (duì) marks the target of an attitude: 对学生 (toward students) + 很好 (very nice).
我跟朋友一起吃饭。
I eat with friends.
跟 (gēn) marks a companion: 跟朋友 (with friends). 一起 (yìqǐ, together) often pairs with 跟.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises