Breakdown of wǒ bù zhīdào zěnme yòng zhè gè shǒujī, nǐ kěyǐ jiāo wǒ ma?
Used when counting nouns or when specifying a specific instance of a noun.
There are also classifiers for people, for bound items such as books and magazines, for cups/glasses, etc.
The classifier 个 is a general one that can be used for any of these.
Questions & Answers about wǒ bù zhīdào zěnme yòng zhè gè shǒujī, nǐ kěyǐ jiāo wǒ ma?
Why do we have both 这 and 个 before 手机? Can I just say 这手机?
In standard Mandarin, when a demonstrative like 这 (this) modifies a noun, you normally need a measure word: 这 + 个 + 手机. So 这个手机 is the default.
- You’ll also hear regional/colloquial shortcuts like 这手机 (dropping the measure word), especially in Taiwan speech, but for learners it’s safer to keep 个.
- Other natural measure words for phones: 这部手机, 这台手机, or 这款手机 (the last one emphasizes the model).
Where does 怎么 go, and what does 怎么用 mean?
怎么 (zěnme) comes before the verb phrase to mean “how to [do something].”
Here, 怎么用 = “how to use.” So 不知道怎么用这个手机 = “(I) don’t know how to use this phone.”
A more formal version is 如何使用这个手机.
Could I say 不会用 instead of 不知道怎么用?
Yes:
- 不会用这个手机 = “I don’t know how (i.e., lack the skill) to use this phone.”
- 不知道怎么用这个手机 = “I don’t know the method/way to use this phone.”
Both are fine; 不会用 is shorter and very common in speech.
Why is 吗 at the end? Do I also need rising intonation?
吗 turns a statement into a yes–no question. You put it at the end: 你可以教我吗？
You don’t need strong rising intonation; 吗 already marks the question. A slight rise at the end is natural but not required.
Can I use 能 or 会 instead of 可以 in 你可以教我吗？
- 可以 (kěyǐ): permission/politeness (“would you be willing to/can you [please]”).
- 能 (néng): ability/possibility (“are you able to/can you”).
- 会 (huì): learned skill (“do you know how to”).
For requests, 可以/能 are most common: 你能教我吗？/你可以教我吗？ Both are fine. 会 would mean “Do you know how to teach me?” which is odd here.
How can I make the request more polite/natural?
Common softeners:
- Use 您: 您可以教我吗？
- Add 一下: 你可以教我一下吗？ (implies “for a moment/briefly”)
- Use 帮: 你可以帮我一下吗？
- Add 麻烦 or 请问: 麻烦你教我一下，可以吗？ / 请问，您可以教我吗？
- A‑not‑A pattern: 你能不能教我？
- Verb reduplication: 你可以教教我吗？ (gentle tone)
Is 教 (teach) pronounced jiāo or jiào? I mix it up with 叫.
- 教 “to teach” is jiāo (first tone).
- 叫 “to be called/to call” is jiào (fourth tone).
Here it must be 教 jiāo.
Any tone changes I should watch for with 不?
不 is normally fourth tone (bù), but it changes to bú (second tone) before another fourth tone.
In this sentence, it’s bù because the next syllable is 知 zhī (first tone): 我 bù zhīdào.
Contrast: 我 bú yòng (“I don’t need/use”).
Any other tone sandhi in this sentence?
Yes:
- 可以 is two third tones, so it’s pronounced kéyǐ (second + third).
- 你 before 可以 often becomes ní in flow: ní kéyǐ.
- 吗 is neutral tone.
- 知道 is frequently zhī·dao with a neutral second syllable in speech (both zhīdào and zhī·dao are accepted).
How do I pronounce 这个 naturally?
Citation tones are zhè gè (both fourth). In fast speech:
- 个 often becomes neutral tone: zhè ge.
- Many people say zhèi ge (zhèi + neutral ge). All are common and understood.
Why is there a comma between the two parts?
They’re two clauses: a statement plus a request.
我不知道怎么用这个手机， [pause] 你可以教我吗？
You can also merge them: 你可以教我怎么用这个手机吗？
Can I drop 你 in the second clause?
Yes, if it’s clear who you’re asking: 我不知道怎么用这个手机，可以教我吗？
Subject drop is common in context.
Is 用 the only verb I can use here? What about 使用?
用 is the everyday verb “use.”
使用 is more formal: 我不知道如何使用这个手机 (sounds written/formal).
Both are correct; in conversation, 用 is more natural.
What’s the difference between 手机 and 电话?
- 手机 = mobile/cell phone.
- 电话 = telephone in general, or a phone call (e.g., 打电话 = make a call).
So 这个手机 specifically means “this cell phone/handset.”
Could 怎么 here mean “why”?
怎么 can mean either “how” or “how come/why.”
In an embedded clause like 不知道怎么用…, it clearly means “how.”
When used directly before a verb in a main question it often means “why”:
- 你怎么不用这个手机？ = “Why aren’t you using this phone?”
Is 教一下我 correct?
Say 教我一下, not 教一下我.
The usual order is Verb + Object + Softener: 教 我 一下.
You can also say 教教我 (verb reduplication to soften).
Can I also say 你可以教我用这个手机吗 (without 怎么)?
Yes. 教 + 人 + [to do something] is fine: 你可以教我用这个手机吗？
Including 怎么 emphasizes “the method”: 教我怎么用…. Both are natural.
Anything else about the measure word 个 I should know?
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