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Using the Preposition 跟 (gēn) to Introduce a Target or Partner
In Mandarin, the preposition 跟 (gēn) introduces the person or party involved with the subject in an action, conversation, or shared activity. Unlike English prepositional phrases that stand at the end of a sentence, a 跟 phrase must appear before the main verb.
我跟妈妈一起去商店。
Correct: 跟 introduces the companion (妈妈), placed before 一起 and the main verb 去.
× 我吃午饭跟同学。
Incorrect: In Mandarin, a prepositional phrase with 跟 cannot be placed after the verb and object (吃午饭). Replace with “我跟同学一起吃午饭。”.
Corrected example: 我跟同学一起吃午饭。
Read the full explanation and examples
What Prepositional 跟 Does
In the supplied HSK Level 2 grammar outline, 跟 (marked as 跟1 to distinguish this primary sense from other syllabus entries) is classified as a preposition (介词) whose function is to introduce the target or partner of an action (引出对象). In everyday Mandarin, when the subject performs an action together with someone, or directs speech and interaction toward someone, 跟 marks that second participant.
Depending on the main verb, English speakers usually translate this prepositional 跟 as "with" or "to". When the verb describes a joint activity such as going somewhere, eating, or studying, 跟 introduces the companion ("with someone"). When the verb involves communication or consultation, such as speaking or discussing, 跟 introduces the person addressed or consulted ("to someone" or "with someone").
Core Word Order and Structures
The most important structural rule for prepositional 跟 is that the entire prepositional phrase (跟 + Target) must stand after the subject and before the main verb phrase. It never trails after the verb and object the way "with my friend" does in English.
请你跟老师说一说。
Correct: 跟 introduces the target of speech (老师) before the verb phrase 说一说.
When the action is something two or more parties do together at the same time or place, speakers very frequently place 一起 (yīqǐ, "together") immediately after the target noun and right before the verb. Using 一起 makes it unmistakable that the action is shared rather than one-sided.
我跟妈妈一起去商店。
Correct: 跟 introduces the companion (妈妈), placed before 一起 and the main verb 去.
Where to Place Negation and Modal Verbs
When you add modal verbs like 想 (xiǎng, "want to" / "would like to"), 能 (néng, "can"), or negation words like 不 (bù) and 没 (méi), they normally precede the preposition 跟 rather than sitting right in front of the main verb. This happens because the negation or desire applies to the whole idea of doing the action with that person.
他想跟朋友商量这件事。
Correct: The modal verb 想 precedes the prepositional phrase 跟朋友.
他今天不跟我去医院。
Correct: The negator 不 stands before 跟 to negate accompanying the target.
Useful Contrasts and Scope Limits
Because 跟 overlaps in translation with several other high-frequency words, keeping its boundaries clear will help you choose the right word in context:
- Prepositional 跟 vs. Conjunctional 跟 / 和: Both 跟 and 和 can act as conjunctions joining two nouns on an equal footing (like "my older brother and I"). However, when a sentence places a modal verb or negation before 跟, or emphasizes that the primary subject is initiating an action toward or alongside a secondary target, 跟 is acting as a preposition. In spoken Mandarin, 跟 is generally more colloquial than 和 when introducing an action partner.
- 跟 vs. 给 (gěi): Both can translate as "to" in English, as in "speak to someone." Use 跟 with verbs of mutual interaction or direct conversation (such as 说 "speak/tell" or 商量 "discuss"). Use 给 when an action transfers something or provides a service to a recipient, such as buying an item for someone or making a phone call (打电话).
- Scope note on comparison: In broader Chinese grammar, 跟 is also used before adjectives to compare two things (跟……一样, "the same as..."). That comparative pattern belongs to a separate function outside this specific target-introducing entry.
Partner phrases and meaning contrasts
The most frequent error among English speakers is translating word-for-word and putting the 跟 phrase at the end of the sentence after the verb and object. In Mandarin, prepositional phrases introducing a partner cannot be stranded at the end of the clause.
× 我吃午饭跟同学。
Incorrect: In Mandarin, a prepositional phrase with 跟 cannot be placed after the verb and object (吃午饭). Replace with “我跟同学一起吃午饭。”.
Corrected example: 我跟同学一起吃午饭。
我跟同学一起吃午饭。
Correct replacement for “我吃午饭跟同学。”: 跟同学 stands before the verb phrase 吃午饭.
Read the scope of negation. 我跟弟弟不去公园 can mean neither of us is going, while 我不跟弟弟去公园 denies going with him. Neither sentence alone necessarily says “I will go alone”. Also avoid the false test that any 不 after 跟 must make 跟 a conjunction; the predicate and full structure matter.
我跟弟弟不去公园。
This is natural with 我跟弟弟 as the joint subject. It differs from negating the choice of companion. More generally, negation after 跟 does not automatically prove conjunction status: 我跟你不开玩笑 (“I am not joking with you”) still has the interaction target 跟你.
我不跟弟弟去公园。
不跟弟弟去公园 denies going with him; it does not by itself guarantee that the speaker will go alone. To make that plan explicit, add 我要去公园，但不跟弟弟一起去.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always have to use 一起 with 跟?
No. 一起 makes a shared activity explicit but is optional in many companion sentences. If 跟老师 just names the person addressed, 一起 is not needed. It can still occur in a shared speaking activity, such as 我和同学一起跟老师说了这件事 (“My classmate and I told the teacher about it together”).
Why is this item labeled 跟1 in the grammar list?
The outline’s Level 2 page uses 跟1 for the preposition and 跟2 for the conjunction. These identify grammatical entries; they do not mean the second entry must be at a higher level.
Does studying this Level 2 item guarantee what will appear on my HSK test?
This lesson follows the supplied 2025-11 syllabus outline (labeled for 2026-07 implementation), where prepositional 跟 appears at Level 2. Because individual test centers may administer different exam versions or transition schedules, always verify the active format with your official testing provider.
