Learn Hardcore Chinese: nǐ yào zhè běn shū ma?

With a noun object like 这本书, 要 (yào) means want / would like / (will) take. It can mean need in some contexts, but the clearer word for “need” is 需要 (xūyào). When 要 is followed by a verb phrase (e.g., 我要买书), it often means be going to / intend to. In this sentence it’s asking about desire or acceptance.

Why is 本 used before 书? Why not 这个书?

Mandarin uses classifiers with demonstratives. 书 (shū) takes the classifier 本 (běn), so you must say 这本书. Saying 这个书 is nonstandard in modern Mandarin; stick with 这本书.

Can I drop 书 and just say 你要这本吗?

Yes. If it’s clear you’re talking about a book, 你要这本吗？ (“Do you want this one?”) is natural. 这本 refers to “this one (book).”

How do I answer yes or no?

Chinese usually repeats or negates the verb:

Positive: 要 / 我要 / 要的
Negative: 不要 / 我不要 If it’s an offer, a polite decline is 不用，谢谢 (“No need, thanks”). Avoid answering with 是/不是 here.

What does 吗 do? Can I use it with question words?

吗 (ma) is a neutral‑tone sentence particle that turns a statement into a yes‑no question. It goes at the end. Don’t use 吗 in questions that already contain a question word (e.g., 什么、谁、哪儿).

Is rising intonation enough without 吗?

Not in standard usage. Use 吗 or an A‑not‑A pattern. In very casual speech, rising intonation alone might be understood, but it’s less clear and not recommended for learners.

What’s an alternative to the 吗-pattern here?

A‑not‑A: 你要不要这本书？ (gives an explicit choice)
Topicalization: 这本书你要吗？ (focuses on “this book”) All are natural; nuances differ slightly.

Is 你 required? Can I drop it?

If the subject is obvious from context, you can drop it: 要这本书吗？ This is common in conversation.

How do I pronounce 这 here—zhè or zhèi? Any tone sandhi to watch?

Before classifiers, 这 can be pronounced zhè or colloquial zhèi; both are common. Tone details:

你 (nǐ) is 3rd tone before 要 (yào) (4th); it stays a low/dipping “half‑third.”
本 (běn) (3rd) before 书 (shū) (1st) is also a low “half‑third.”
吗 is neutral tone. Natural reading: nǐ yào zhè/zhèi běn shū ma?

How is 要 different from 想 or 需要 in this type of question?

要: direct “want/take” (very common, especially in offers).
想 (xiǎng) / 想要: “would like,” softer/more tentative.
需要 (xūyào): “need,” asks about necessity, not desire. Examples: 你想要这本书吗？ (softer) vs 你需要这本书吗？ (do you need it?).

Is 要 too blunt or rude?

Not usually. In offers or checking preferences, 你要…吗？ is standard and fine. To be extra polite, use 您 with elders/clients (您要这本书吗？) or soften with 想要/需要, or start with 请问.

Can 个 ever replace 本 for 书?

In standard Mandarin, no. 书 takes 本, so use 这本书/那本书. You may hear 这个书 in some colloquial speech, but it’s considered nonstandard; avoid it.

What’s the difference between 这 and 那 here?

这 (zhè/zhèi) means “this,” 那 (nà/nèi) means “that.” So 你要那本书吗？ asks about “that book” instead of “this book.”

What happens if I remove 吗?

It becomes a statement: 你要这本书。 (“You want this book.”) If you add 吧, 你要这本书吧？ suggests an assumption or seeks confirmation (“You want this book, right?”), not a neutral yes‑no question.

What does 呢 or 吧 do if I swap out 吗?

呢: often used for follow‑up/contrast, e.g., after discussing other books: 你要这本书呢？ (“What about this book?”).
吧: softens into a suggestion or assumption, e.g., 你要这本书吧？ (seeking confirmation).

Is 这一本书 different from 这本书?

这一本书 adds emphasis or contrast (“this very book,” “this one in particular”), often when distinguishing from others. 这本书 is the neutral form.