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 P.S - Check your message inbox, that's where we can communicate 1-1.

Our next live session will be on Saturday 17th January at 11am GMT. Everyone is welcome to join to meet with other community members and practice Mandarin together, no matter your level. You can also come to listen in if you’re not feeling confident enough to speak yet! Our topics will be: 1. Pinyin pronunciation + tone focus (practice listening + repeating a range of words to improve pronunciation). 2. Building basic sentences using key verbs (Power verbs) + structures. 3. Look at some more complex sentence structures, to help you move from basic sentences to more higher level ones. There will be something for all beginner levels. Look forward to seeing some of you there! 下个星期六见！See you next Saturday.

知道 zhī dào - to know / realise / be aware of - 不知道 bù zhī dào - don’t know/ not be aware of - 谁知道 shéi zhī dào - who knows (?) - 你知不知道 nǐ zhī bù zhī dào - do you know? - 早知道 zǎo zhī dào - to know in advance/ if I had known earlier… - 我知道了 wǒ zhī dào le - I get it / I understand now. Example sentences: 1. 你知不知道比赛什么时候开始？- Do you know when the match/competition starts? Nǐ zhī bù zhī dào bǐ sài shén me shí hòu kāi shǐ? 1. 我不知道你说什么。- I don’t know what you’re saying. Wǒ bù zhī dào nǐ shuō shén me. 1. 谁知道他在哪儿? - Who knows where he is?/ Does anyone know where he is? Shèi zhī dào tā zài nǎ’r Suggested practice activities (Inspired by our Weekly Checklist). 1. Do shadowing (listen and repeat) with the audio. 2. Write the sentences in characters. 3. Test yourself writing out the new word in characters to memorise. 4. Add the new word to your Mandarin flashcard app to learn it. 5. Make sentences of your own with the new word. 6. Use a dictionary (e.g. Pleco) to search for other example sentences using the key word in context. 7. Break down the characters of the new word - have you seen these characters before? Where? What key radicals are there? What components have you seen before? Make links between this word and others you know (synonyms/antonyms etc.) Submit your speaking / writing for feedback!