和 (hé):
* Formal and neutral: Used in more formal writing and speaking, as well as in neutral situations.
* Connecting nouns, verbs, or adjectives: It can connect words of the same grammatical category.
* Emphasis on equality: It often suggests equal importance between the things or people being connected.
Examples:
* 我和朋友去吃饭。 (Wǒ hé péngyou qù chīfàn.) - I am going to eat with my friend.
* 他和他的妻子一起工作。 (Tā hé tā de qīzi yīqǐ gōngzuò.) - He works with his wife.
* 天气很好，我和孩子去公园玩。 (Tiānqì hěn hǎo, wǒ hé háizi qù gōngyuán wán.) - The weather is nice, I'm going to the park with my child.
跟 (gēn):
* Informal and colloquial: More common in everyday speech and informal writing.
* Connecting nouns, verbs, or adjectives: Like "和", it can connect words of the same grammatical category.
* Emphasis on one element: It can sometimes suggest that one element is more important or prominent than the other.
Examples:
* 我跟朋友去吃饭。 (Wǒ gēn péngyou qù chīfàn.) - I am going to eat with my friend. (More informal than the previous example)
* 他跟他的妻子吵了一架。 (Tā gēn tā de qīzi chǎo le yī jià.) - He had an argument with his wife.
* 这本书跟那本书很像。 (Zhè běn shū gēn nà běn shū hěn xiàng.) - This book is very similar to that book.
In general, "和" is considered more formal and versatile, while "跟" is more informal and conversational. You can usually use either one, but "和" is a safer choice if you are unsure of the context.
Here are some additional points to consider:
* 地域差异 (dìyù chāyì) - Regional Differences: The use of "和" and "跟" can vary depending on the region of China. In some areas, one might be preferred over the other.
* 个人习惯 (gèrén xíguàn) - Personal Habits: Some people might have a preference for one over the other, regardless of formality.
If you are learning Chinese, it is helpful to be aware of these differences and use them appropriately based on the context. You can also learn by observing how native speakers use these words.