A curated selection of key HSK 1, 2 and 3 words with pinyin, English, example sentences and category tags, aligned to the new HSK 3.0 levels that become the standard in July 2026. Search, filter and study at your own pace. Preparing for the exam? See our HSK preparation lessons.
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HSK is the official Chinese proficiency test taken by adult learners worldwide. Its vocabulary is organized into levels, and each level is cumulative: the words you learn at HSK 1 carry forward into HSK 2 and HSK 3. That is why the totals grow steadily rather than resetting at each stage.
Under the new HSK 3.0 standard, HSK 1 covers 300 words, HSK 2 reaches around 500 words in total, and HSK 3 reaches around 1,000 words in total. Because the counts are cumulative, the jump from HSK 2 to HSK 3 means learning roughly 500 new words rather than a thousand from scratch. The lists on this page are curated, searchable selections of the most useful words at each level, grouped by category so you can study by theme.
HSK 3.0 becomes the worldwide standard in July 2026 and replaces the old six-level system with nine levels. Vocabulary requirements rose at most levels: HSK 1 grew from 150 words to 300, for example. Our lists and lessons already follow the new framework, so you study current vocabulary from the start. For the full picture of what is changing, read our guide to HSK 3.0. The official word lists and exam registration are published by Chinese Testing International, the body that administers the HSK.
Vocabulary sticks best when you learn it in small, regular sets rather than long cramming sessions. A few habits make a large difference:
When you are ready to put these words to use, our HSK preparation lessons build them into speaking and listening practice with a native teacher, and you can pair vocabulary with our measure words guide for everyday counting and quantities.
Under the new HSK 3.0 standard, the required vocabulary is cumulative. HSK 1 covers 300 words, HSK 2 reaches around 500 words in total, and HSK 3 reaches around 1,000 words in total. Because the counts are cumulative, moving from HSK 2 to HSK 3 means learning roughly 500 new words rather than a thousand from scratch.
Yes. HSK 3.0 becomes the worldwide standard in July 2026 and replaces the old six-level system with nine levels. Vocabulary requirements rose at most levels: HSK 1 went from 150 words to 300, for example. Our lists and lessons follow the new HSK 3.0 framework, so you study current vocabulary from your first lesson. Read our full guide to HSK 3.0.
Every word shows the Chinese characters, the pinyin with tone marks, and the English meaning. The tone marks show how each word is pronounced. Reading pinyin with its tones from the start builds accurate pronunciation instead of memorizing the spelling alone. Our tones guide explains the four tones in detail.
Learn words in small daily sets rather than long cramming sessions, always with their pinyin, tone and an example sentence. Review yesterday's words before adding new ones, and practice saying each word out loud. Studying words inside short sentences, as shown in the example column, helps you remember meaning and usage together.
These are curated, searchable selections of the most useful words at HSK 1, 2 and 3, grouped by category so you can study by theme. They are designed for everyday practice and quick reference. For the full official word lists and exam registration, see Chinese Testing International, the body that administers the HSK.
It helps, because the levels build on each other, but you do not need perfect recall first. Most adult learners keep reviewing earlier words while adding new ones. In our HSK lessons we assess where you are and focus on the gaps, so you spend time on the words you do not yet know rather than the ones you already do.