Step 1: Learn a new word (written + spoken). Step 2: See it applied in an example sentence. (Context). Step 3: Choose a skill to practice: A. Write your own sentence using the key word + submit for feedback. B. Listen + repeat the example sentence for pronunciation practice (shadowing) + submit for feedback. C. Write the example sentence to practice characters + submit for feedback. 生词 New word: 生气 shēng qì - angry / to get angry E.g. 我很生气。 - I’m (very) angry. Wǒ hěn shēng qì. 他 生 我的 气。 He is angry with me. Tā shēng wǒ de qì. 你 让我 很生气。 - You make me (very) angry. Nǐ ràng wǒ hěn shēng qì.

大家好！Hi everyone! 😊 It’s the time for setting goals for the New Year. I like to set 10 goals for each year, which includes my one(s) for language learning. My suggestion for language learning is to pick a big, inspiring goal, then break it down into realistic, achievable chunks. This year (aside from maintaining my Mandarin of course!) my goal is to re-gain my fluency in speaking French. 🗣️🇫🇷 I learnt French for years in school and reached a decent intermediate level. However, as the saying goes, if you don’t use it you lose it. When I started learning Mandarin, that became my priority and I stopped practicing French almost completely. Therefore, over the years, my French passive knowledge has remained but my active skills of speaking and writing have diminished greatly. So my plan this year is to change that! I have a trip to Marseille booked in May and I would love to be able to speak more confidently and fluently again by that time. My approach is going to be… ✅Step 1: Shadowing practice to improve pronunciation and intonation (I already do a lot of this using apps / podcasts/ videos etc., but I want to practice more regularly.) ✅ Step 2: Speak with others and get feedback (This is the biggest area I need to work on!) ✅ Step 3: Daily immersion (I listen to French music a lot! But I need to incorporate more speaking immersion into my daily/weekly routine). ⭐️My big, inspiring goal is: Speak French more fluently by May. 🎯 My smaller, more realistic daily / weekly targets: > Listen to French podcasts a few times a week. (Comprehensible input). > Shadow French phrases/sentences several times a week. (Using apps/textbook audios/youtube videos/ podcasts etc.) > Find a language partner and practice speaking French with them, with feedback. > Speak out loud to myself in French more often e.g. narrating my daily activities, express my thoughts out loud using French. This can help me to realise very quickly what I can and can’t say. 📝 You can use our Weekly Checklist resource to help you plan your smaller targets and make consistent progress towards your goal this year: https://trusty-weekly-flow.lovable.app

Step 1: Learn a new word (written + spoken). Step 2: See it applied in an example sentence. (Context). Step 3: Choose a skill to practice: A. Write your own sentence using the key word + submit for feedback. B. Listen + repeat the example sentence for pronunciation practice (shadowing) + submit for feedback. C. Write the example sentence to practice characters + submit for feedback. 生词 New word: 方便 fāng biàn - convenient E.g. 你什么时候方便？ - when is convenient for you? Nǐ shén me shí hòu fāng biàn? 我喜欢在网上买东西因为非常方便。- I like shopping online because it’s extremely convenient. Wǒ xǐ huan zài wăng shàng mǎi dōng xi yīn wèi fēi cháng fāng biàn.

Welcome to Trusty Chinese, I’m so glad you’re here. This is a calm, supportive space for beginners and early learners who want to actually speak Mandarin, not just memorise words. You don’t need to be “good at languages." You don’t need lots of time. You just need the right structure and consistency. This community is here to help you: - Build real, usable Mandarin - Speak with more confidence - Stop feeling overwhelmed by too much content - Follow a clear learning path, step by step ✅ Your First Steps (Please Do These First) 1️⃣ Watch the Welcome video below. This shows you how to use the community, courses, and calls properly. 2️⃣ Introduce yourself below 👇Just a few lines is perfect: - Your name - Your current Mandarin level (total beginner is welcome!) - Your main goal with Mandarin 3️⃣ Join a free Mandarin practice call. We run regular live sessions where you can practise speaking in a relaxed way. No pressure, cameras optional — everyone is welcome. ⭐ Want More Support? (Reach your goals faster) Some members want extra structure, guidance, and speaking practice. To really boost their learning. For those learners, I also offer a Premium tier with: - Guided speaking classes - Structured video courses (including the 7 Power Verbs strategy) - Extra learning resources and personal support from me  If you’re curious, you can learn more here: 👉 https://www.skool.com/trustychinese/plans Book a free 1:1 call with me we’ll see if it’s the right fit: https://calendly.com/trustychinese/15-minute-intro-meeting I’m really happy you’re here! I look forward to talking with you. — Natasja

A short post about Christmas in Chinese! Christmas is not a national holiday in China, nor is it widely celebrated as a religious festival there (although there are Chinese Christians who will celebrate it as such). It’s most celebrated as a commercial holiday. One way that people celebrate Christmas is by gifting apples, often with messages carved into them or with decorations. I’ve attached some images below! This is because of a play on words, which are very common in Mandarin!: 平安夜 píng ān yè = peaceful night = Christmas Eve. 苹果 píng guǒ = apple. Both characters for píng in these words shared the same component 平. (The one in apple just has the ‘grass’ radical on top of it too). These Christmas apples are known as 平安果 (Peace apples). Some other Christmas key words: 过 guò - to pass/celebrate 庆祝 qìng zhù - to celebrate 圣诞节 shèng dàn jié - Christmas 祝你 zhù nǐ - wish you 圣诞快乐 shèng dàn kuài lè - Christmas happy > Happy Christmas 和家人一起 hé jiā rén yī qǐ - with family 送礼物 sòng lǐ wù - give presents/gifts 吃圣诞大餐 chī shèng dàn dà cān - eat Christmas dinner 教堂 jiào táng - church So, to everyone celebrating Christmas, 我祝你们 圣诞快乐！🎄🎉