跟 vs 对 (with vs toward)
Talking with, or talking at?
- Both can precede a person — but the relationship differs.
- with / and跟 = "with" (two-way): with / and跟he / him他variant of 说说 = talk with him.
- to / towards / correct对 = "to / toward" (one-way, an attitude aimed at someone): to / towards / correct对he / him他variant of 说说 = say to him.
with / and跟 = "with" (mutual)
- I / me我with / and跟he / him他to consult商量 = "I discuss it with him." (both take part)
I我with跟him他discuss商量。
- with / and跟he / him他to consult商量 = "discuss it with him."
Practice
He smiled at me: 他 ____ 我笑了。
对 = to / toward (one-way): 对我笑了.
Practice
跟他说 and 对他说 are slightly different (with vs to).
Yes — 跟 = talk with; 对 = say to (directed).
to / towards / correct对 = "to / toward" (directed)
- he / him他to / towards / correct对I / me我to laugh笑(completed / change)了 = "he smiled at me." (aimed one way)
he他toward对me我smile笑了。
- to / towards / correct对I / me我to laugh笑(completed / change)了 = "smiled at me."
Explore
Which word completes the sentence?
跟 is two-way 'with'; 对 is one-way 'at / toward'.
Practice
Which marks a two-way action (both take part)?
跟他商量 (mutual) vs 对我笑 (one-way).
Recap
Key idea
- with / and跟 = "with" (two-way): with / and跟he / him他to consult商量
- to / towards / correct对 = "to / toward" (one-way attitude): to / towards / correct对I / me我to laugh笑
- with / and跟he / him他variant of 说说 (talk with) vs to / towards / correct对he / him他variant of 说说 (say to)
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Comparing similar conjunctions.