"我在找我的手机。"

Translation: I am looking for my cell phone.

[persephone]

What role does 'zai4' play here?

[EquanimousLingo]

在 indicates present/ progressive tense.

[incazelo]

Zai 在 is used for something that are in action, the full word is 正在. It possible to use 正在 or 在 or 正 to express something that still on going, but here 在 is more suitable

[DOCTOREHRIN]

The easiest way to remember when to typically use zài在 is to transform the verb into its active form. In this case from "look (for)" (as in search) to "looking for".

[maartendoc]

Some lookalikes:

我 (wǒ) = I
钱 (qián) = coin/money
找 (zhǎo) = to look for

[Muqran]

我找钱 = I'm looking for money

[JacobChoi0]

What's the difference between searching and looking in this case?
"I am searching for my cell phone." is marked wrong

[L3opold]

i made the same mistake. Maybe searching is too "strong"?

[CallMeDPP]

No, it's not too strong. Duolingo is still in beta, so next time, just use the report button to help the developers.

[tehanu10]

Why is "I'm looking for my phone" correct, but "I'm looking for my mobile" rejected? :(

[kcmurphy]

Because this language course is still in beta. You can help by using the report button.

[thedoctar10]

Please add mobile as a synonym of cell phone! I keep entering mobile and get the answer wrong! Very irritating!

[Andrew-Lin]

我在找我的手機。

[Simon707326]

这是繁体字。

[BZH1423]

麻烦体字 XD

[FTnI15]

I am searching for my mobile, why is it wrong?

[AlzinCares]

Cellular is not accepted ? What English is that?

[CA1712]

Shouldn't "I'm finding my phone" be an acceptable answer?

[Charlimagnus]

I'm a native English speaker and I don't think finding my phone should be accepted as it sounds really awkward. Maybe "I am trying to find my phone" .

[CharlesCro469908]

Looking and finding are not the same. If you are looking for your phone, it is misplaced. If you found your phone, then it is no longer missing.

[RixMorales]

What's the difference between 手机 and 电话？

[SilentRead]

手机 is "cell phone/mobile phone". 电话 is "telephone", any kind including one with a cord.

[SUSZ6]

I said: "I am finding my phone." what's wrong with this sentence? could anyone explained to me?