Comparisons with “跟” (compared with) in Chinese Grammar

Learning a new language is a journey full of fascinating discoveries, and Chinese is no exception. One of the key elements in mastering Chinese grammar is understanding how to make comparisons. In English, we often use words like “compared to” or “compared with.” In Chinese, one of the most common words for making comparisons is “跟” (gēn). This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on how to use “跟” for comparisons in Chinese grammar.

Understanding “跟” (gēn)

The word “跟” (gēn) in Chinese is a versatile term that can mean “with,” “and,” “to follow,” and “compared with,” among other meanings. In the context of making comparisons, “跟” is usually translated as “compared with” or simply “with.” Its usage is somewhat similar to the English word “with” but is more specific in its applications.

Basic Structure

The basic structure for making comparisons with “跟” is:

**Subject + 跟 + Object + Adjective**

For example:
– 他跟我一样高 (tā gēn wǒ yī yàng gāo) – He is as tall as I am.
– 苹果跟橘子一样好吃 (píng guǒ gēn jú zi yī yàng hǎo chī) – Apples are as tasty as oranges.

Using “一样” (yī yàng)

The word “一样” (yī yàng) means “the same” or “as” and is often used in conjunction with “跟” to make comparisons of equality. This phrase is similar to the English “as…as” structure.

Examples:
– 她跟她妹妹一样漂亮 (tā gēn tā mèi mèi yī yàng piào liang) – She is as beautiful as her sister.
– 这个问题跟那个问题一样难 (zhè ge wèn tí gēn nà ge wèn tí yī yàng nán) – This problem is as difficult as that one.

Comparisons of Equality

When making comparisons of equality, you will often use “跟” with “一样” to indicate that two things are the same in some aspect.

Examples:
– 我的车跟你的车一样快 (wǒ de chē gēn nǐ de chē yī yàng kuài) – My car is as fast as your car.
– 这个电影跟那个电影一样有趣 (zhè ge diàn yǐng gēn nà ge diàn yǐng yī yàng yǒu qù) – This movie is as interesting as that movie.

Using “不一样” (bù yī yàng)

To indicate that two things are not the same, you can use “不一样” (bù yī yàng), which means “not the same” or “different.”

Examples:
– 我的车跟你的车不一样 (wǒ de chē gēn nǐ de chē bù yī yàng) – My car is different from your car.
– 这个电影跟那个电影不一样 (zhè ge diàn yǐng gēn nà ge diàn yǐng bù yī yàng) – This movie is different from that movie.

Comparisons of Superiority and Inferiority

While “跟” is often used for comparisons of equality, it can also be used in sentences that compare superiority and inferiority. However, in these cases, the structure changes slightly.

Using “比” (bǐ) for Superiority

When you want to say that one thing is superior to another, you often use “比” (bǐ) instead of “跟.” The structure is:

**Subject + 比 + Object + Adjective**

Examples:
– 我的车比你的车快 (wǒ de chē bǐ nǐ de chē kuài) – My car is faster than your car.
– 这个电影比那个电影有趣 (zhè ge diàn yǐng bǐ nà ge diàn yǐng yǒu qù) – This movie is more interesting than that movie.

Combining “跟” and “比”

Interestingly, you can sometimes combine “跟” and “比” in a sentence to make a more nuanced comparison. This is less common but can be useful for more advanced learners.

Examples:
– 我的车跟你的车比快 (wǒ de chē gēn nǐ de chē bǐ kuài) – My car, compared with your car, is faster.
– 这个电影跟那个电影比有趣 (zhè ge diàn yǐng gēn nà ge diàn yǐng bǐ yǒu qù) – This movie, compared with that movie, is more interesting.

Using “跟” in Negative Sentences

You can also use “跟” to make negative comparisons by including negation words like “不” (bù) or “没有” (méi yǒu).

Examples:
– 他跟我不一样高 (tā gēn wǒ bù yī yàng gāo) – He is not as tall as I am.
– 苹果跟橘子没有一样好吃 (píng guǒ gēn jú zi méi yǒu yī yàng hǎo chī) – Apples are not as tasty as oranges.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When learning to make comparisons with “跟,” it’s easy to make some common mistakes. Here are a few to watch out for:

Omitting “一样”

One common mistake is to omit the word “一样” when making comparisons of equality. Remember, “跟” alone does not imply equality; you need “一样” to complete the comparison.

Incorrect: 他跟我高 (tā gēn wǒ gāo) – He with me tall.
Correct: 他跟我一样高 (tā gēn wǒ yī yàng gāo) – He is as tall as I am.

Using “跟” Instead of “比” for Superiority

Another common mistake is to use “跟” when you should use “比” for comparisons of superiority or inferiority.

Incorrect: 我的车跟你的车快 (wǒ de chē gēn nǐ de chē kuài) – My car with your car fast.
Correct: 我的车比你的车快 (wǒ de chē bǐ nǐ de chē kuài) – My car is faster than your car.

Practice Exercises

To help you master the use of “跟” in comparisons, here are some practice exercises. Try to translate the following sentences into Chinese:

1. She is as smart as her brother.
2. This book is as interesting as that one.
3. My house is different from your house.
4. This food is not as spicy as that food.

**Answers:**
1. 她跟她哥哥一样聪明 (tā gēn tā gē ge yī yàng cōng míng).
2. 这本书跟那本书一样有趣 (zhè běn shū gēn nà běn shū yī yàng yǒu qù).
3. 我的房子跟你的房子不一样 (wǒ de fáng zi gēn nǐ de fáng zi bù yī yàng).
4. 这个菜跟那个菜没有一样辣 (zhè ge cài gēn nà ge cài méi yǒu yī yàng là).

Conclusion

Mastering the use of “跟” for comparisons in Chinese grammar is an essential step for any language learner. By understanding the basic structure, practicing with common phrases, and being aware of potential pitfalls, you can make accurate and meaningful comparisons in Chinese. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to fluency. Happy learning!

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