和1、对

HSK-G-22
HSK 1 词类 介词

Why does 我对他说 mean 'I said to him' while 我和他说 sounds more like 'he and I talked'?

对 points speech at someone; 和 often sounds like a chat.

Use 对 when you want to stress direction: I said it to him. Use 和 when the people are connected in the action; it often sounds like a conversation. 老先生对高先明说 is a direct instruction from one person to another. “老先生对高先明说:‘去上学吧,上车。’” ── [《五块钱》](/read/five-yuan-kindness#s10). Switch to 和 and it can sound like the two are talking together.

Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
Directing speech to someone对 + person + 说我对他说我和他说 (if you want 'to him')
Talking together和 + person + 说我和他说我对他说 (if you want 'with him')

Can I put 对他 after the verb, like 我说话对他?

No. 对 + person goes before the verb, never after it.

English puts 'to him' after the verb, like in I spoke to him. Chinese flips that: 对 + person + verb is the only natural order you can use. So 我对他说 is correct, but 我说话对他 sounds broken. Think of 对 as aiming your action at someone before you fire the verb.

Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
Speak to himSubject + 对 + person + 说我对他说我说话对他
Smile at meSubject + 对 + person + 笑他对我笑他笑对我

Why does 我和他 mean 'he and I' but 我和他说 means 'I talk with him'?

和 means 'and' alone, but 'with' when a verb follows.

With no verb after it, 和 links two people like the English word 'and'. Add a verb after 和, and then it becomes 'with' that person. So 我和他 is 'he and I,' but 我和他说 is 'I talk with him.' The verb after 和 is the switch that changes the whole meaning.

Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
Just listing: he and IA + 和 + B我和他我和他说 (if you just mean 'he and I')
Doing with him: talk with himA + 和 + B + verb我和他说我和他 (if you mean talk with him)

Appears in Stories 6 stories

《五块钱》 The Five-Yuan Gift
HSK 1 ~6 min read 414 chars
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This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.

  • 老先生高先明上学上车

    The old gentleman said to Gao Xianming, 'Go to school. Get on the bus.'

  • 高先明老先生谢谢

    Gao Xianming said to the old gentleman, 'Thank you!'

  • 老先生高先明不要

    The old gentleman said to Gao Xianming, 'I said, don't give it to me.'

  • 高先明安小语上学上车

    Gao Xianming said to An Xiaoyu, 'Go to school. Get on the bus.'

  • 安小语非常高兴高先明谢谢

    An Xiaoyu was very happy and said to Gao Xianming, 'Thank you!'

  • 高先明不要

    Gao Xianming said to her, 'Don't give it to me.'

《热面条》 Hot Noodles on a Cold Night
HSK 1 ~5 min read 399 chars
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Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.

  • 大中吃好面条老先生谢谢面条好吃

    After finishing the noodles, Dazhong says to the elderly man, 'Thank you. The noodles are delicious.'

  • 老先生大中知道天天晚上

    The elderly man says to Dazhong, 'I know you come every evening.'

《你也在想我吗》 Do You Miss Me Too?
HSK 1 ~2 min read 130 chars
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This short, soothing piece is about missing someone on a rainy night. The sentences are simple and repeat often, so you can practice reading while feeling the warm emotion.

  • 对你今天

    I want to tell you: today, I miss you so much.

《我的家人(1)》 My Family Members
HSK 1 ~2 min read 116 chars
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Before you read, meet the grandparents! This rhyming chant helps you practice the different names for maternal and paternal grandparents in Chinese. Listen to the beat and repeat.

  • 爷爷奶奶姥爷姥姥他们他们

    Grandpa and Grandma on Dad's side, and Grandpa and Grandma on Mom's side—they all love me, and I love them too.

《三号病房的苹果》 The Apple in Ward Three
HSK 1 ~3 min read 191 chars
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Enjoy this simple story about a patient and a mysterious apple. It shows how a small act of kindness can make someone feel at home, and you'll learn key words for feelings and daily life.

  • 谢医生马家友苹果不是医院

    Dr. Xie said to Ma Jiayou, "The apple is not from the hospital."

《谢谢你来看我》 Rain, Thank You for Visiting Me
HSK 1 ~2 min read 152 chars
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Before you read, close your eyes and imagine a rainy afternoon. This story uses simple HSK 1 words to show how rain can become a talking friend.

  • 谢谢

    I say to the rain, 'Thank you!'

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