HSK 1
Correct

跟 vs 和

/ gēn vs hé /
Strokes

Formula

1
A + 跟(和)+ B

Definition

跟 and 和 both can be used as Conjunctions or Prepositions to link two coordinated parts, means “and; as well as”,

跟 can also be used as a Verb, indicating "following".

Example

跟 and 和 both are used to show connection or addition of words or sentences of the same type or importance.
In connecting the subjects, objects, attributives, or adverbials in examples, either word can be used.

跟 is more colloquial.
A + 跟(和)+ B
1
ge
哥哥
gēn
  
(
  
)
di
弟弟
dōu
lái
le
  

The brother as well as his little brother has come.

2
mǎi
le
shū
gēn
  
(
  
)
  

He bought and pens.

3
Zhè
liǎng
huà
  
,
shì
zhēn
真迹
  
,
shì
yànpǐn
赝品
  
,
dànshì
但是
zhēn
de
gēn
  
(
  
)
jiǎ
de
bān
一般
rén
gēnběn
根本
kàn
chūlái
出来
  

One of the two paintings is real; the other fake. However, they are too alike, and it is not easy for a layman to distinguish them.

4
Zhè
jiàn
shì
  
,
duì
gēn
  
(
  
)
duì
  
,
yàng
一样
zhòngyào
重要
  

It matters much to you as well as me.

和 can connect coordinate verbs or adjectives as predicates with common adverbial or auxiliary verbs.
5
dìng
一定
huì
jìnkuài
尽快
rènshi
认识
gǎizhèng
改正
自己
de
cuò
错误
  

He is likely to realize and correct his mistakes.

6
de
xīnqíng
心情
yǒuxiē
有些
ān
不安
jiāo
焦虑
  

She is a bit unrest and anxious.

和 can also connect coordinate verbs or adjectives as predicate with a common object or complement.
Since the grammar of these sentences is relatively complicated and the style is formal, 和, not 跟 is usually used.
7
xiàn
发现
gǎizhèng
改正
le
wénzhāng
文章
zhōng
xiē
一些
tuǒ
不妥
zhī
chǔ
  

He found and corrected the inappropriate words in the article.

8
Shìnèi
室内
de
jiā
家具
  
,
ānpái
安排
zhì
布置
de
shí
fēn
合理
  

The display of the furniture in the house is placed well.

跟 and 和, both as Prepositions, indicate coordination.
跟 is more colloquial.
9
yào
gēn
  
(
  
)
sài
比赛
  

She wants to compete with me. (action by both sides)

10
gēn
  
(
  
)
shì
hǎo
péngyou
朋友
  

He is my good friend. (treatment)

11
Xiǎowáng
小王
gēn
  
(
  
)
lǎowáng
老王
jiè
le
diǎnr  
点儿
qián
  

Xiao Wang borrowed some money from Lao Wang. (from)

12
Zhè
shì
gēn
  
(
  
)
tán
  

I will talk to him about it. (with)

13
nián
jiàn
不见
  
,
gēn
  
(
  
)
cóngqián
从前
yàng
一样
le
  

I haven't seen him for a few years and he is different as he was. (indicate comparison)

跟 is also a Verb meaning to follow; while 和 cannot be so used.
14
ba
爸爸
zài
qiánmiàn
前面
zǒu
  
,
érzi
儿子
gēn
zài
hòumiàn
后面
  

The son followed his father.

15
xiān
gàn
  
,
gēnzhāo
跟着
  

You do it first, and I will follow you.

Mistake

她是一个年轻和(跟)漂亮的女孩。(X)

那家餐厅非常干净和(跟)便宜极了。(X)

我们聊天和(跟)跳舞。(X)

我去图书馆和(跟)看书。(X)

今天我要去银行,和(跟)我给妈妈打电话。(X)

Exercise

Complete the dialogues with 跟 or 和 :

A:寒假你打算去哪儿旅行?

B:( )。

A:这次旅行你一个人去吗?

B:( )。

A:你家有几口人?

B:( )。

A:你喜欢吃哪些中国菜?

B:( )。

A:你的国家跟中国一样吗?

B:( )。

A:你会说哪些语言?

B:( )。