Learn Hardcore Chinese: nǐ yòng zhè gè shǒujī ma?

吗 turns a statement into a yes/no question. It doesn’t add meaning beyond “Is it true that…?”
It must go at the very end of the sentence: 你用这个手机吗？
Do not combine 吗 with other question words (e.g., 什么, 谁, 哪个). Say 你用哪个手机？ not 你用哪个手机吗？

Is this asking “Are you using it right now?” or “Do you use it (in general)?”

As written, it’s ambiguous and typically reads as a general/habitual question: “Do you use this phone?”
For “right now,” add a progressive marker: 你在/正用这个手机吗？ (“Are you using this phone now?”)
Other useful variants:
- 你会用这个手机吗？ “Do you know how to use this phone?”
- 你用过这个手机吗？ “Have you used this phone (before)?”

How should I answer a 吗 question like this?

Short answers are fine:
- Yes: 用。 / 我用。 / 对，我用这个手机。
- No: 不用。 / 我不用这个手机。
Nuances:
- 不用 = “don’t use” or “no need.” Context usually makes it clear.
- 没用(过) = “didn’t use (have not used).” E.g., 我没用过这个手机。

Why is it 这 + 个 + 手机 instead of just 这手机?

With demonstratives (这/那), standard Mandarin normally requires a measure word: 这 + 个/部/台 + 手机.
Dropping the measure word (这手机) is nonstandard in Mainland Mandarin; you’ll hear it in some casual or regional speech, and it’s more common in Taiwan to use a specific classifier instead (e.g., 这支手机).

Is 个 (gè) the best measure word for 手机? What about 部/台/支/款?

个 is the universal “default” classifier and is common in everyday speech: 这个手机.
More specific options:
- 部 (bù): very common for phones/cars/media devices (Mainland): 一部手机, 这部手机。
- 台 (tái): machines/electronics: 一台手机, 这台手机。
- 支 (zhī): common in Taiwan for phones: 一支手机, 这支手机。
- 款 (kuǎn): “model/style”: 这款手机 (“this model of phone”).
In formal writing or careful speech, prefer 部/台/款 over 个.

Can I just raise my voice and drop 吗 to ask the question?

In casual conversation, yes: 你用这个手机？ with rising intonation.
It’s less neutral and can sound like you’re confirming something you suspect. 吗 is the safe default for a neutral yes/no question.

Can I use the A-not-A pattern instead of 吗?

Yes. Say: 你用不用这个手机？
This sounds a bit more pressing/explicitly binary than the 吗 version. Both are common.

Why not use 呢 (ne) here? What would 你用这个手机呢？ mean?

呢 is not a general yes/no marker. It’s used for follow-up/contrast or to indicate continuation.
你用这个手机呢？ can work only if there’s context (e.g., after discussing someone else’s phone: “What about you—do you use this phone?”). As a stand-alone yes/no question, use 吗.

What’s the difference between 手机 and 电话?

手机 (shǒujī) = mobile/cell phone (also used for smartphones).
电话 (diànhuà) = telephone in general, or a phone call. A landline phone is often 座机.
To ask “Do you have this phone?” use 你有这个手机吗？ To ask “Is this your phone?” use 这是你的手机吗？

Pronunciation check: any tone tricks or common pitfalls?

Pinyin: nǐ yòng zhège shǒujī ma?
- 你 nǐ (3), 用 yòng (4), 这 zhè (4), 个 ge (neutral in zhège), 手 shǒu (3), 机 jī (1), 吗 ma (neutral).
个 and 吗 are typically neutral here.
You’ll often hear zhèige/zhèi ge for 这个 in casual speech—both are fine.
Don’t confuse 吗 (ma, neutral) with 妈 (mā, 1st), 马 (mǎ, 3rd), or 嘛 (ma, modal).

Can I omit the subject and just say 用这个手机吗？

Yes, if context makes the subject obvious (e.g., you’re handing someone a phone). Chinese often drops subjects when they’re inferable.

Would 您 be better than 你?

How do I ask “Which phone do you use?” or “Do you use this model?”

Can I use a more formal word than 用?

Yes: 使用 (shǐyòng) is more formal. 你使用这个手机吗？ sounds written/formal or customer-survey-like.
In normal speech, 用 is the natural choice.

How does negation work here? Is there a difference between 不 and 没?

Habitual/general negation: 不 → 我不用这个手机。
Past/experiential negation: 没(有) → 我没(有)用过这个手机 (“I haven’t used this phone before”).
Be careful: 没用 by itself often means “useless.” Context like 没用过 avoids ambiguity.