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How to use 跟 gēn

How to use 跟 gēn in Mandarin Chinese

How to say ‘with’ in Chinese gives a lot of trouble for beginner students in learning Chinese. How to use 跟 gēn? You might be overusing it. Look at the following sentences and guess how you would translate them into Chinese.

  1. I study with Linda.
  2. I don’t like eating with chopsticks.
  3. How do you like your coffee, with our without sugar?
  4. That’s a white shirt with blue dots.

Since the literal translation of with is 跟 (gēn) in Chinese, it would be easy just to use 跟 (gēn).

  1. 我学习跟Linda. (Wǒ xuéxí gēn Linda)
  2. 我不喜欢吃饭跟筷子. (Wǒ bù xǐhuān chīfàn gēn kuàizi)
  3. 你喜欢怎么样的咖啡，跟糖还是不跟糖？ (Nǐ xǐhuān zěnme yàng de kāfēi, gēn táng háishì bù gēn táng?)
  4. 那是件白衬衫跟蓝点点. (Nà shì jiàn bái chènshān gēn lán diǎndiǎn.)

Not so fast! Don’t be so literal in how you use 跟 gēn! Read the following tips to put you on the path to the right translations.

With somebody

“跟” (gēn) and “和”(hé) both are correct, but remember it’s always placed before the verb:

  • “跟” (gēn)/ “和”(hé) somebody + verb

Note that if you want to emphasize you are accompanied by somebody, use 一起（yì qi3) as well

Example:

  • 我今天跟/和朋友吃晚饭。
  • Wǒ jīntiān gēn/hé péngyǒu chī wǎnfàn.
  • I will have dinner with my friend today.

and:

  • 我今天跟/和朋友一起吃晚饭。
  • Wǒ jīntiān gēn/hé péngyǒu yīqǐ chī wǎnfàn.
  • I will have dinner together with my friend today.

With tools or manners

You can’t use “跟” (gēn) when referring to the usage of a tool. You need to use “用”（yòng), which literally means “to use”.

  • “用”（yòng）something + verb

Example:

  • 我用左手写字。
  • Wǒ yòng zuǒshǒu xiězì.
  • I write with my left hand.

With something (added to)

“加” (jiā) which means “to add” would be the best choice as opposed to “跟” (gēn).

Example:

  • 我不喜欢加味精的菜。
  • Wǒ bù xǐhuān jiā wèijīng de cài.
  • I don’t like dishes with MSG (Monosodium Glutamate).)

With features

Use the verb “带” (dài) here, which originally means “to bring”

Example:

  • 带条纹的裙子 Dài tiáowén de qúnzi (a blouse with stripes)

Hope that clarifies this grammar point while learning the Mandarin Chinese language! For more learning tips, check our YouTube channel.

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