The HSK 1 vocabulary list has 500 words under the New HSK 3.0 standard. These are the words for Level 1, the first level of the Chinese proficiency test. Below you will find all 500 HSK 1 words with pinyin and English meanings, plus the most useful word groups and a simple way to study them.
If you want a step-by-step plan for your first months of Chinese, read our HSK 1 beginner roadmap. This page is the reference list you can come back to while you follow that plan.
What the HSK 1 Vocabulary List Covers
HSK 1 words are the building blocks of everyday Chinese. With them you can:
- Greet people, say thank you and apologize.
- Talk about yourself, your family and your friends.
- Use numbers, prices, dates and times.
- Ask simple questions: who, what, where, how many.
- Describe daily routines like eating, sleeping, studying and going to work.
Most of the list is short, common words. You will see many two-character words built from characters you already know. For example, once you know 车 (chē, vehicle), the words 车站 (chēzhàn, station), 车票 (chēpiào, ticket) and 开车 (kāichē, to drive) become much easier.
New HSK 1 vocabulary vs the old HSK 2.0 list
The old HSK 2.0 Level 1 list had 150 words. The new HSK 3.0 Level 1 list has 500 words, so it is more than three times larger. The new list also covers about 300 characters at this level.
This means the new HSK 1 asks for much more than before. Words like 地图 (dìtú, map), 手机 (shǒujī, mobile phone) and 上网 (shàngwǎng, to go online) are now part of Level 1. Most of the old list is still there, so if you started with the 150 words, you mainly need to add new ones. A few old words, such as 苹果 (píngguǒ, apple) and 猫 (māo, cat), now sit at a higher level.
The exam is in transition between the two versions, and the version on offer can depend on your test center and date. Check the current format on the official site, chinesetest.cn. For a full comparison, see our guide to HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0.
The Most Useful HSK 1 Word Groups
You do not need to learn the list from A to Z. Start with the groups below. They give you the most speaking power for the least effort.
Greetings and polite phrases
These are the words you will use on your first day.
| Word |
Pinyin |
Meaning |
| 谢谢 |
xièxie |
thank you |
| 不客气 |
bù kèqi |
you're welcome |
| 对不起 |
duìbuqǐ |
sorry |
| 没关系 |
méi guānxi |
it doesn't matter |
| 再见 |
zàijiàn |
goodbye |
| 请问 |
qǐngwèn |
excuse me, may I ask |
Example:
- 请问，洗手间在哪儿？ (Qǐngwèn, xǐshǒujiān zài nǎr?) Excuse me, where is the restroom?
People and family
| Word |
Pinyin |
Meaning |
| 爸爸 |
bàba |
dad |
| 妈妈 |
māma |
mom |
| 朋友 |
péngyou |
friend |
| 老师 |
lǎoshī |
teacher |
Add 们 (men) to make a group: 朋友们 (péngyoumen, friends), 我们 (wǒmen, we).
- 她是我的老师。 (Tā shì wǒ de lǎoshī.) She is my teacher.
Numbers, money and time
| Word |
Pinyin |
Meaning |
| 几 |
jǐ |
how many (small numbers) |
| 多少 |
duōshao |
how many, how much |
| 块 |
kuài |
yuan (spoken) |
| 今天 |
jīntiān |
today |
| 现在 |
xiànzài |
now |
Use 几 when you expect a small number, and 多少 for prices or larger numbers.
- 这个多少钱？ (Zhège duōshao qián?) How much is this?
- 现在几点？ (Xiànzài jǐ diǎn?) What time is it now?
Words like 块, 个 and 本 are measure words. Our guide to Chinese measure words explains how they work.
Everyday verbs
| Word |
Pinyin |
Meaning |
| 是 |
shì |
to be |
| 有 |
yǒu |
to have, there is |
| 去 |
qù |
to go |
| 吃 |
chī |
to eat |
| 喜欢 |
xǐhuan |
to like |
| 想 |
xiǎng |
to want to, to think |
- 我喜欢喝茶。 (Wǒ xǐhuan hē chá.) I like drinking tea.
- 明天我想去北京。 (Míngtiān wǒ xiǎng qù Běijīng.) I want to go to Beijing tomorrow.
Note that 有 is made negative with 没, not 不: 我没有车 (wǒ méiyǒu chē), I don't have a car. See 不 vs 没 for the full rule.
Question words and particles
| Word |
Pinyin |
Meaning |
| 什么 |
shénme |
what |
| 哪儿 |
nǎr |
where |
| 谁 |
shéi |
who |
| 吗 |
ma |
yes-no question particle |
| 呢 |
ne |
"and you?" particle |
- 你叫什么名字？ (Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) What is your name?
- 我很好，你呢？ (Wǒ hěn hǎo, nǐ ne?) I'm fine, and you?
In Chinese, the question word stays where the answer goes. Our Chinese question words guide shows this with more examples.
How to Study the HSK 1 Word List
Use spaced repetition. Learn about 10 new words a day and review them in a flashcard system that shows each card again just before you would forget it. Short daily sessions work better than one long session a week.
Say every word out loud with its tone. A wrong tone can change the meaning: 买 (mǎi, to buy) and 卖 (mài, to sell) differ only by tone. If tones are still shaky, spend a few days on the four Mandarin tones first.
Write the characters. You do not have to write all 500 from memory, but writing a word a few times helps you see its parts. The tingxie dictation method is a simple way to test yourself.
Learn words in short sentences. 吃饭 (chīfàn) is easier to remember inside 我们去吃饭吧 (Wǒmen qù chīfàn ba, Let's go eat) than on its own.
The Learn Chinese app has all 500 HSK 1 words with audio, SRS flashcards and stroke order, so you can practice this list on your phone.
Words that look the same but sound different
A few HSK 1 characters have two readings, and the list includes both. Learn each reading with its own example so you do not mix them up:
- 还 hái (still): 他还在家。 (Tā hái zài jiā.) He is still at home.
- 还 huán (to give back): 我明天还你书。 (Wǒ míngtiān huán nǐ shū.) I'll give you back the book tomorrow.
- 干 gàn (to do): 你在干什么？ (Nǐ zài gàn shénme?) What are you doing?
- 干 gān (dry): 衣服干了。 (Yīfu gān le.) The clothes are dry.
Also watch the two ways to say "two". Use 二 (èr) when counting and in numbers like 十二 (shí'èr, twelve). Use 两 (liǎng) before a measure word: 两个人 (liǎng ge rén), two people.
Full HSK 1 Vocabulary List (A to Z)
Here are all 500 words for HSK 1 in the New HSK 3.0 lists, sorted by pinyin and grouped by first letter. Together with the earlier levels, that makes 500 words.
These counts follow the 2021 HSK 3.0 standard (GF0025-2021). The exam syllabus published in late 2025 is reported to use shorter lists for some levels, so check HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0 and the official site chinesetest.cn for the list your exam uses.
HSK 1 Words Starting with A
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 1 |
爱 |
ài |
verb |
to love |
| 2 |
爱好 |
àihào |
noun, verb |
hobby; to be fond of |
HSK 1 Words Starting with B
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 3 |
八 |
bā |
number |
eight |
| 4 |
爸爸 |
bàba |
noun |
dad; father |
| 5 |
吧 |
ba |
particle |
(suggestion particle) |
| 6 |
白 |
bái |
adjective |
white; free of charge |
| 7 |
白天 |
báitiān |
noun |
daytime |
| 8 |
百 |
bǎi |
number |
hundred |
| 9 |
班 |
bān |
noun, measure word |
class; shift; (m. for groups) |
| 10 |
半 |
bàn |
number |
half |
| 11 |
半年 |
bàn nián |
noun |
half a year |
| 12 |
半天 |
bàntiān |
noun |
half a day; a long time |
| 13 |
帮 |
bāng |
verb |
to help |
| 14 |
帮忙 |
bāngmáng |
verb |
to help; to do a favor |
| 15 |
包 |
bāo |
noun, measure word, verb |
bag; package; to wrap |
| 16 |
包子 |
bāozi |
noun |
steamed stuffed bun |
| 17 |
杯 |
bēi |
measure word, noun |
cup; glass; (m. for drinks) |
| 18 |
杯子 |
bēizi |
noun |
cup; glass |
| 19 |
北 |
běi |
noun |
north |
| 20 |
北边 |
běibian |
noun |
north side |
| 21 |
北京 |
Běijīng |
noun |
Beijing |
| 22 |
本 |
běn |
measure word |
(m. for books) |
| 23 |
本子 |
běnzi |
noun |
notebook; exercise book |
| 24 |
比 |
bǐ |
preposition, verb |
than (in comparisons); to compare |
| 25 |
别 |
bié |
adverb |
don't; do not (in commands) |
| 26 |
别的 |
biéde |
pronoun |
other; another |
| 27 |
别人 |
biérén |
pronoun |
other people; others |
| 28 |
病 |
bìng |
noun, verb |
illness; to be ill |
| 29 |
病人 |
bìngrén |
noun |
patient; sick person |
| 30 |
不大 |
bù dà |
adverb |
not very; not much |
| 31 |
不对 |
bùduì |
adjective |
wrong; incorrect |
| 32 |
不客气 |
bù kèqi |
phrase |
you're welcome |
| 33 |
不用 |
bùyòng |
adverb |
no need to |
| 34 |
不 |
bù |
adverb |
not; no |
HSK 1 Words Starting with C
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 35 |
菜 |
cài |
noun |
dish; vegetable; food |
| 36 |
茶 |
chá |
noun |
tea |
| 37 |
差 |
chà |
adjective, verb |
poor; bad; to lack; short of |
| 38 |
常 |
cháng |
adverb |
often |
| 39 |
常常 |
chángcháng |
adverb |
often; frequently |
| 40 |
唱 |
chàng |
verb |
to sing |
| 41 |
唱歌 |
chànggē |
verb |
to sing (a song) |
| 42 |
车 |
chē |
noun |
car; vehicle |
| 43 |
车票 |
chēpiào |
noun |
bus or train ticket |
| 44 |
车上 |
chē shang |
noun |
on the bus; in the car |
| 45 |
车站 |
chēzhàn |
noun |
station; bus stop |
| 46 |
吃 |
chī |
verb |
to eat |
| 47 |
吃饭 |
chīfàn |
verb |
to eat; to have a meal |
| 48 |
出 |
chū |
verb |
to go out; to come out |
| 49 |
出来 |
chūlái |
verb |
to come out |
| 50 |
出去 |
chūqù |
verb |
to go out |
| 51 |
穿 |
chuān |
verb |
to wear; to put on |
| 52 |
床 |
chuáng |
noun |
bed |
| 53 |
次 |
cì |
measure word |
time; occurrence; (m. for events) |
| 54 |
从 |
cóng |
preposition |
from |
| 55 |
错 |
cuò |
adjective, noun |
wrong; mistake; fault |
HSK 1 Words Starting with D
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 56 |
打 |
dǎ |
verb |
to hit; to play; to make (a call) |
| 57 |
打车 |
dǎchē |
verb |
to take a taxi |
| 58 |
打电话 |
dǎ diànhuà |
verb |
to make a phone call |
| 59 |
打开 |
dǎkāi |
verb |
to open; to turn on |
| 60 |
打球 |
dǎ qiú |
verb |
to play ball |
| 61 |
大 |
dà |
adjective |
big; large; old (age) |
| 62 |
大学 |
dàxué |
noun |
university; college |
| 63 |
大学生 |
dàxuéshēng |
noun |
university student |
| 64 |
到 |
dào |
verb |
to arrive; to reach; to go to |
| 65 |
得到 |
dédào |
verb |
to get; to obtain |
| 66 |
地 |
de |
particle |
(particle before a verb, like -ly) |
| 67 |
的 |
de |
particle |
(possessive or modifier particle) |
| 68 |
等 |
děng |
verb |
to wait |
| 69 |
地 |
dì |
noun |
ground; floor; earth |
| 70 |
地点 |
dìdiǎn |
noun |
place; venue; location |
| 71 |
地方 |
dìfang |
noun |
place; area; part |
| 72 |
地上 |
dìshang |
noun |
on the ground; floor |
| 73 |
地图 |
dìtú |
noun |
map |
| 74 |
弟弟 |
dìdi |
noun |
younger brother |
| 75 |
第 |
dì |
prefix |
(ordinal prefix, e.g. first) |
| 76 |
点 |
diǎn |
measure word, noun, verb |
o'clock; a little; dot; to order |
| 77 |
电 |
diàn |
noun |
electricity |
| 78 |
电话 |
diànhuà |
noun |
telephone; phone call |
| 79 |
电脑 |
diànnǎo |
noun |
computer |
| 80 |
电视 |
diànshì |
noun |
television; TV |
| 81 |
电视机 |
diànshìjī |
noun |
television set |
| 82 |
电影 |
diànyǐng |
noun |
movie; film |
| 83 |
电影院 |
diànyǐngyuàn |
noun |
cinema; movie theater |
| 84 |
东 |
dōng |
noun |
east |
| 85 |
东边 |
dōngbian |
noun |
east side |
| 86 |
东西 |
dōngxi |
noun |
thing; stuff |
| 87 |
动 |
dòng |
verb |
to move; to touch |
| 88 |
动作 |
dòngzuò |
noun |
movement; action |
| 89 |
都 |
dōu |
adverb |
all; both; already |
| 90 |
读 |
dú |
verb |
to read; to study |
| 91 |
读书 |
dúshū |
verb |
to read; to study; to attend school |
| 92 |
对 |
duì |
adjective, preposition |
right; correct; to; toward |
| 93 |
对不起 |
duìbuqǐ |
phrase |
sorry; excuse me |
| 94 |
多 |
duō |
adjective, adverb |
many; much; more |
| 95 |
多少 |
duōshao |
pronoun |
how many; how much |
HSK 1 Words Starting with E
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 96 |
饿 |
è |
adjective |
hungry |
| 97 |
儿子 |
érzi |
noun |
son |
| 98 |
二 |
èr |
number |
two |
HSK 1 Words Starting with F
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 99 |
饭 |
fàn |
noun |
meal; cooked rice |
| 100 |
饭店 |
fàndiàn |
noun |
restaurant; hotel |
| 101 |
房间 |
fángjiān |
noun |
room |
| 102 |
房子 |
fángzi |
noun |
house |
| 103 |
放 |
fàng |
verb |
to put; to place; to let go |
| 104 |
放假 |
fàngjià |
verb |
to have a holiday |
| 105 |
放学 |
fàngxué |
verb |
to finish school for the day |
| 106 |
飞 |
fēi |
verb |
to fly |
| 107 |
飞机 |
fēijī |
noun |
airplane; plane |
| 108 |
非常 |
fēicháng |
adverb |
very; extremely |
| 109 |
分 |
fēn |
measure word, verb |
minute; cent; point; to divide |
| 110 |
风 |
fēng |
noun |
wind |
HSK 1 Words Starting with G
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 111 |
干 |
gān |
adjective |
dry |
| 112 |
干净 |
gānjìng |
adjective |
clean |
| 113 |
干 |
gàn |
verb |
to do; to work |
| 114 |
干什么 |
gàn shénme |
phrase |
what are you doing; why |
| 115 |
高 |
gāo |
adjective |
tall; high |
| 116 |
高兴 |
gāoxìng |
adjective |
happy; glad |
| 117 |
告诉 |
gàosu |
verb |
to tell |
| 118 |
哥哥 |
gēge |
noun |
older brother |
| 119 |
歌 |
gē |
noun |
song |
| 120 |
个 |
gè |
measure word |
(general measure word) |
| 121 |
给 |
gěi |
verb, preposition |
to give; for; to |
| 122 |
跟 |
gēn |
preposition, conjunction, verb |
with; and; to follow |
| 123 |
工人 |
gōngrén |
noun |
worker |
| 124 |
工作 |
gōngzuò |
verb, noun |
to work; job; work |
| 125 |
关 |
guān |
verb |
to close; to turn off |
| 126 |
关上 |
guānshang |
verb |
to close; to shut |
| 127 |
贵 |
guì |
adjective |
expensive |
| 128 |
国 |
guó |
noun |
country; nation |
| 129 |
国家 |
guójiā |
noun |
country; state |
| 130 |
国外 |
guówài |
noun |
abroad; overseas |
| 131 |
过 |
guò |
verb |
to pass; to cross; to spend (time) |
HSK 1 Words Starting with H
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 132 |
还 |
hái |
adverb |
still; also; even more |
| 133 |
还是 |
háishi |
conjunction, adverb |
or (in questions); still |
| 134 |
还有 |
hái yǒu |
phrase |
there is also; in addition |
| 135 |
孩子 |
háizi |
noun |
child; kid |
| 136 |
汉语 |
Hànyǔ |
noun |
Chinese (language) |
| 137 |
汉字 |
Hànzì |
noun |
Chinese character |
| 138 |
好 |
hǎo |
adjective |
good; well; fine |
| 139 |
好吃 |
hǎochī |
adjective |
tasty; delicious |
| 140 |
好看 |
hǎokàn |
adjective |
good-looking; nice to watch |
| 141 |
好听 |
hǎotīng |
adjective |
pleasant to hear |
| 142 |
好玩儿 |
hǎowánr |
adjective |
fun; interesting |
| 143 |
号 |
hào |
noun, measure word |
date; day of the month; number; size |
| 144 |
喝 |
hē |
verb |
to drink |
| 145 |
和 |
hé |
conjunction, preposition |
and; with |
| 146 |
很 |
hěn |
adverb |
very |
| 147 |
后 |
hòu |
noun |
after; back; behind |
| 148 |
后边 |
hòubian |
noun |
back; behind |
| 149 |
后天 |
hòutiān |
noun |
day after tomorrow |
| 150 |
花 |
huā |
noun, verb |
flower; to spend |
| 151 |
话 |
huà |
noun |
words; speech; what someone says |
| 152 |
坏 |
huài |
adjective |
bad; broken |
| 153 |
还 |
huán |
verb |
to return; to give back |
| 154 |
回 |
huí |
verb |
to return; to go back |
| 155 |
回答 |
huídá |
verb, noun |
to answer; answer |
| 156 |
回到 |
huídào |
verb |
to return to |
| 157 |
回家 |
huí jiā |
verb |
to go home |
| 158 |
回来 |
huílái |
verb |
to come back |
| 159 |
回去 |
huíqù |
verb |
to go back |
| 160 |
会 |
huì |
verb, auxiliary |
can; to know how to; to be likely to |
| 161 |
火车 |
huǒchē |
noun |
train |
HSK 1 Words Starting with J
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 162 |
机场 |
jīchǎng |
noun |
airport |
| 163 |
机票 |
jīpiào |
noun |
plane ticket |
| 164 |
鸡蛋 |
jīdàn |
noun |
egg |
| 165 |
几 |
jǐ |
pronoun, number |
how many; a few; several |
| 166 |
记 |
jì |
verb |
to remember; to write down |
| 167 |
记得 |
jìde |
verb |
to remember |
| 168 |
记住 |
jìzhù |
verb |
to remember; to memorize |
| 169 |
家 |
jiā |
noun, measure word |
home; family; (m. for shops) |
| 170 |
家里 |
jiā li |
noun |
at home; in the family |
| 171 |
家人 |
jiārén |
noun |
family member; family |
| 172 |
间 |
jiān |
measure word |
(m. for rooms) |
| 173 |
见 |
jiàn |
verb |
to see; to meet |
| 174 |
见面 |
jiànmiàn |
verb |
to meet; to see each other |
| 175 |
教 |
jiāo |
verb |
to teach |
| 176 |
叫 |
jiào |
verb |
to call; to be called; to ask (sb to) |
| 177 |
教学楼 |
jiàoxuélóu |
noun |
teaching building; classroom building |
| 178 |
姐姐 |
jiějie |
noun |
older sister |
| 179 |
介绍 |
jièshào |
verb, noun |
to introduce; introduction |
| 180 |
今年 |
jīnnián |
noun |
this year |
| 181 |
今天 |
jīntiān |
noun |
today |
| 182 |
进 |
jìn |
verb |
to enter; to come in |
| 183 |
进来 |
jìnlái |
verb |
to come in |
| 184 |
进去 |
jìnqù |
verb |
to go in |
| 185 |
九 |
jiǔ |
number |
nine |
| 186 |
就 |
jiù |
adverb |
then; right away; just; only |
| 187 |
觉得 |
juéde |
verb |
to think; to feel |
HSK 1 Words Starting with K
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 188 |
开 |
kāi |
verb |
to open; to drive; to turn on |
| 189 |
开车 |
kāichē |
verb |
to drive (a car) |
| 190 |
开会 |
kāihuì |
verb |
to have a meeting |
| 191 |
开玩笑 |
kāi wánxiào |
verb |
to joke; to make fun of |
| 192 |
看 |
kàn |
verb |
to look; to watch; to read |
| 193 |
看病 |
kànbìng |
verb |
to see a doctor |
| 194 |
看到 |
kàndào |
verb |
to see; to catch sight of |
| 195 |
看见 |
kànjiàn |
verb |
to see |
| 196 |
考 |
kǎo |
verb |
to take a test |
| 197 |
考试 |
kǎoshì |
noun, verb |
exam; test; to take an exam |
| 198 |
渴 |
kě |
adjective |
thirsty |
| 199 |
课 |
kè |
noun |
class; lesson |
| 200 |
课本 |
kèběn |
noun |
textbook |
| 201 |
课文 |
kèwén |
noun |
text (of a lesson) |
| 202 |
口 |
kǒu |
measure word, noun |
mouth; (m. for family members) |
| 203 |
块 |
kuài |
measure word, noun |
yuan; piece; lump |
| 204 |
快 |
kuài |
adjective, adverb |
fast; quick; quickly; soon |
HSK 1 Words Starting with L
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 205 |
来 |
lái |
verb |
to come |
| 206 |
来到 |
láidào |
verb |
to come to; to arrive |
| 207 |
老 |
lǎo |
adjective, prefix |
old; (prefix used with names) |
| 208 |
老人 |
lǎorén |
noun |
old person; the elderly |
| 209 |
老师 |
lǎoshī |
noun |
teacher |
| 210 |
了 |
le |
particle |
(particle for completed action or change) |
| 211 |
累 |
lèi |
adjective |
tired |
| 212 |
冷 |
lěng |
adjective |
cold |
| 213 |
里 |
lǐ |
noun |
in; inside |
| 214 |
里边 |
lǐbian |
noun |
inside |
| 215 |
两 |
liǎng |
number |
two (before measure words) |
| 216 |
零 |
líng |
number |
zero |
| 217 |
六 |
liù |
number |
six |
| 218 |
楼 |
lóu |
noun, measure word |
building; floor; storey |
| 219 |
楼上 |
lóushàng |
noun |
upstairs |
| 220 |
楼下 |
lóuxià |
noun |
downstairs |
| 221 |
路 |
lù |
noun, measure word |
road; route; (m. for bus lines) |
| 222 |
路口 |
lùkǒu |
noun |
intersection; crossing |
| 223 |
路上 |
lùshang |
noun |
on the way; on the road |
HSK 1 Words Starting with M
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 224 |
妈妈 |
māma |
noun |
mom; mother |
| 225 |
马路 |
mǎlù |
noun |
road; street |
| 226 |
马上 |
mǎshàng |
adverb |
right away; at once |
| 227 |
吗 |
ma |
particle |
(yes-no question particle) |
| 228 |
买 |
mǎi |
verb |
to buy |
| 229 |
慢 |
màn |
adjective |
slow |
| 230 |
忙 |
máng |
adjective |
busy |
| 231 |
毛 |
máo |
measure word, noun |
ten cents (jiao); hair; fur |
| 232 |
没 |
méi |
adverb, verb |
not (have); did not |
| 233 |
没关系 |
méi guānxi |
phrase |
it doesn't matter; no problem |
| 234 |
没什么 |
méi shénme |
phrase |
it's nothing; never mind |
| 235 |
没事儿 |
méishìr |
phrase |
it's okay; nothing wrong |
| 236 |
没有 |
méiyǒu |
verb, adverb |
to not have; there is not; did not |
| 237 |
妹妹 |
mèimei |
noun |
younger sister |
| 238 |
门 |
mén |
noun, measure word |
door; gate; (m. for courses) |
| 239 |
门口 |
ménkǒu |
noun |
doorway; entrance |
| 240 |
门票 |
ménpiào |
noun |
entrance ticket |
| 241 |
们 |
men |
suffix |
(plural suffix for people) |
| 242 |
米饭 |
mǐfàn |
noun |
cooked rice |
| 243 |
面包 |
miànbāo |
noun |
bread |
| 244 |
面条儿 |
miàntiáor |
noun |
noodles |
| 245 |
名字 |
míngzi |
noun |
name |
| 246 |
明白 |
míngbai |
verb, adjective |
to understand; clear |
| 247 |
明年 |
míngnián |
noun |
next year |
| 248 |
明天 |
míngtiān |
noun |
tomorrow |
HSK 1 Words Starting with N
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 249 |
拿 |
ná |
verb |
to take; to hold; to bring |
| 250 |
哪 |
nǎ |
pronoun |
which |
| 251 |
哪里 |
nǎlǐ |
pronoun |
where |
| 252 |
哪儿 |
nǎr |
pronoun |
where |
| 253 |
哪些 |
nǎxiē |
pronoun |
which ones |
| 254 |
那 |
nà |
pronoun |
that |
| 255 |
那边 |
nàbiān |
pronoun |
over there; that side |
| 256 |
那里 |
nàlǐ |
pronoun |
there |
| 257 |
那儿 |
nàr |
pronoun |
there |
| 258 |
那些 |
nàxiē |
pronoun |
those |
| 259 |
奶 |
nǎi |
noun |
milk |
| 260 |
奶奶 |
nǎinai |
noun |
grandmother (father's mother) |
| 261 |
男 |
nán |
adjective |
male |
| 262 |
男孩儿 |
nánháir |
noun |
boy |
| 263 |
男朋友 |
nánpéngyou |
noun |
boyfriend |
| 264 |
男人 |
nánrén |
noun |
man |
| 265 |
男生 |
nánshēng |
noun |
male student; boy |
| 266 |
南 |
nán |
noun |
south |
| 267 |
南边 |
nánbian |
noun |
south side |
| 268 |
难 |
nán |
adjective |
difficult; hard |
| 269 |
呢 |
ne |
particle |
(question or ongoing-action particle) |
| 270 |
能 |
néng |
verb, auxiliary |
can; to be able to |
| 271 |
你 |
nǐ |
pronoun |
you |
| 272 |
你们 |
nǐmen |
pronoun |
you (plural) |
| 273 |
年 |
nián |
noun, measure word |
year |
| 274 |
您 |
nín |
pronoun |
you (polite) |
| 275 |
牛奶 |
niúnǎi |
noun |
cow's milk |
| 276 |
女 |
nǚ |
adjective |
female |
| 277 |
女儿 |
nǚ'ér |
noun |
daughter |
| 278 |
女孩儿 |
nǚháir |
noun |
girl |
| 279 |
女朋友 |
nǚpéngyou |
noun |
girlfriend |
| 280 |
女人 |
nǚrén |
noun |
woman |
| 281 |
女生 |
nǚshēng |
noun |
female student; girl |
HSK 1 Words Starting with P
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 282 |
旁边 |
pángbiān |
noun |
side; beside; next to |
| 283 |
跑 |
pǎo |
verb |
to run |
| 284 |
朋友 |
péngyou |
noun |
friend |
| 285 |
票 |
piào |
noun |
ticket |
HSK 1 Words Starting with Q
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 286 |
七 |
qī |
number |
seven |
| 287 |
起 |
qǐ |
verb |
to rise; to get up |
| 288 |
起床 |
qǐchuáng |
verb |
to get up (out of bed) |
| 289 |
起来 |
qǐlái |
verb |
to get up; to stand up |
| 290 |
汽车 |
qìchē |
noun |
car; automobile |
| 291 |
前 |
qián |
noun |
front; before; ago |
| 292 |
前边 |
qiánbian |
noun |
front |
| 293 |
前天 |
qiántiān |
noun |
day before yesterday |
| 294 |
钱 |
qián |
noun |
money |
| 295 |
钱包 |
qiánbāo |
noun |
wallet; purse |
| 296 |
请 |
qǐng |
verb |
please; to invite; to treat (sb) |
| 297 |
请假 |
qǐngjià |
verb |
to ask for leave |
| 298 |
请进 |
qǐng jìn |
phrase |
please come in |
| 299 |
请问 |
qǐngwèn |
phrase |
excuse me, may I ask |
| 300 |
请坐 |
qǐng zuò |
phrase |
please sit down |
| 301 |
球 |
qiú |
noun |
ball |
| 302 |
去 |
qù |
verb |
to go |
| 303 |
去年 |
qùnián |
noun |
last year |
HSK 1 Words Starting with R
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 304 |
热 |
rè |
adjective, verb |
hot; to heat up |
| 305 |
人 |
rén |
noun |
person; people |
| 306 |
认识 |
rènshi |
verb |
to know (sb); to recognize |
| 307 |
认真 |
rènzhēn |
adjective |
serious; careful; conscientious |
| 308 |
日 |
rì |
noun |
day; sun; date |
| 309 |
日期 |
rìqī |
noun |
date |
| 310 |
肉 |
ròu |
noun |
meat |
HSK 1 Words Starting with S
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 311 |
三 |
sān |
number |
three |
| 312 |
山 |
shān |
noun |
mountain; hill |
| 313 |
商场 |
shāngchǎng |
noun |
shopping mall |
| 314 |
商店 |
shāngdiàn |
noun |
shop; store |
| 315 |
上 |
shàng |
noun, verb |
up; on; above; to go up; to attend |
| 316 |
上班 |
shàngbān |
verb |
to go to work; to be at work |
| 317 |
上边 |
shàngbian |
noun |
above; on top |
| 318 |
上车 |
shàng chē |
verb |
to get on (a vehicle) |
| 319 |
上次 |
shàng cì |
noun |
last time |
| 320 |
上课 |
shàngkè |
verb |
to attend class; to start class |
| 321 |
上网 |
shàngwǎng |
verb |
to go online |
| 322 |
上午 |
shàngwǔ |
noun |
morning |
| 323 |
上学 |
shàngxué |
verb |
to go to school; to attend school |
| 324 |
少 |
shǎo |
adjective, verb |
few; little; to be missing |
| 325 |
谁 |
shéi |
pronoun |
who; whom |
| 326 |
身上 |
shēnshang |
noun |
on one's body; on one |
| 327 |
身体 |
shēntǐ |
noun |
body; health |
| 328 |
什么 |
shénme |
pronoun |
what |
| 329 |
生病 |
shēngbìng |
verb |
to get sick |
| 330 |
生气 |
shēngqì |
verb, adjective |
to get angry; angry |
| 331 |
生日 |
shēngrì |
noun |
birthday |
| 332 |
十 |
shí |
number |
ten |
| 333 |
时候 |
shíhou |
noun |
time; moment; when |
| 334 |
时间 |
shíjiān |
noun |
time |
| 335 |
事 |
shì |
noun |
thing; matter; business |
| 336 |
试 |
shì |
verb |
to try |
| 337 |
是 |
shì |
verb |
to be; yes |
| 338 |
是不是 |
shì bu shì |
phrase |
is it or not; isn't it |
| 339 |
手 |
shǒu |
noun |
hand |
| 340 |
手机 |
shǒujī |
noun |
mobile phone |
| 341 |
书 |
shū |
noun |
book |
| 342 |
书包 |
shūbāo |
noun |
schoolbag |
| 343 |
书店 |
shūdiàn |
noun |
bookstore |
| 344 |
树 |
shù |
noun |
tree |
| 345 |
水 |
shuǐ |
noun |
water |
| 346 |
水果 |
shuǐguǒ |
noun |
fruit |
| 347 |
睡 |
shuì |
verb |
to sleep |
| 348 |
睡觉 |
shuìjiào |
verb |
to sleep; to go to bed |
| 349 |
说 |
shuō |
verb |
to say; to speak |
| 350 |
说话 |
shuōhuà |
verb |
to talk; to speak |
| 351 |
四 |
sì |
number |
four |
| 352 |
送 |
sòng |
verb |
to give (as a gift); to see off; to deliver |
| 353 |
岁 |
suì |
measure word |
year of age |
HSK 1 Words Starting with T
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 354 |
他 |
tā |
pronoun |
he; him |
| 355 |
他们 |
tāmen |
pronoun |
they; them |
| 356 |
她 |
tā |
pronoun |
she; her |
| 357 |
她们 |
tāmen |
pronoun |
they; them (female) |
| 358 |
太 |
tài |
adverb |
too; very |
| 359 |
天 |
tiān |
noun, measure word |
day; sky; weather |
| 360 |
天气 |
tiānqì |
noun |
weather |
| 361 |
听 |
tīng |
verb |
to listen; to hear |
| 362 |
听到 |
tīngdào |
verb |
to hear |
| 363 |
听见 |
tīngjiàn |
verb |
to hear |
| 364 |
听写 |
tīngxiě |
verb, noun |
to write from dictation; dictation |
| 365 |
同学 |
tóngxué |
noun |
classmate |
| 366 |
图书馆 |
túshūguǎn |
noun |
library |
HSK 1 Words Starting with W
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 367 |
外 |
wài |
noun |
outside; foreign |
| 368 |
外边 |
wàibian |
noun |
outside |
| 369 |
外国 |
wàiguó |
noun |
foreign country; foreign |
| 370 |
外语 |
wàiyǔ |
noun |
foreign language |
| 371 |
玩儿 |
wánr |
verb |
to play; to have fun |
| 372 |
晚 |
wǎn |
adjective, noun |
late; evening |
| 373 |
晚饭 |
wǎnfàn |
noun |
dinner; supper |
| 374 |
晚上 |
wǎnshang |
noun |
evening; night |
| 375 |
网上 |
wǎngshang |
noun |
online; on the internet |
| 376 |
网友 |
wǎngyǒu |
noun |
online friend |
| 377 |
忘 |
wàng |
verb |
to forget |
| 378 |
忘记 |
wàngjì |
verb |
to forget |
| 379 |
问 |
wèn |
verb |
to ask |
| 380 |
我 |
wǒ |
pronoun |
I; me |
| 381 |
我们 |
wǒmen |
pronoun |
we; us |
| 382 |
五 |
wǔ |
number |
five |
| 383 |
午饭 |
wǔfàn |
noun |
lunch |
HSK 1 Words Starting with X
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 384 |
西 |
xī |
noun |
west |
| 385 |
西边 |
xībian |
noun |
west side |
| 386 |
洗 |
xǐ |
verb |
to wash |
| 387 |
洗手间 |
xǐshǒujiān |
noun |
restroom; toilet |
| 388 |
喜欢 |
xǐhuan |
verb |
to like |
| 389 |
下 |
xià |
noun, verb |
down; below; next; to go down |
| 390 |
下班 |
xiàbān |
verb |
to finish work; to get off work |
| 391 |
下边 |
xiàbian |
noun |
below; under |
| 392 |
下车 |
xià chē |
verb |
to get off (a vehicle) |
| 393 |
下次 |
xià cì |
noun |
next time |
| 394 |
下课 |
xiàkè |
verb |
to finish class |
| 395 |
下午 |
xiàwǔ |
noun |
afternoon |
| 396 |
下雨 |
xià yǔ |
verb |
to rain |
| 397 |
先 |
xiān |
adverb |
first; in advance |
| 398 |
先生 |
xiānsheng |
noun |
Mr.; sir; husband |
| 399 |
现在 |
xiànzài |
noun |
now |
| 400 |
想 |
xiǎng |
verb, auxiliary |
to think; to want to; to miss |
| 401 |
小 |
xiǎo |
adjective |
small; little; young |
| 402 |
小孩儿 |
xiǎoháir |
noun |
child; kid |
| 403 |
小姐 |
xiǎojiě |
noun |
Miss; young lady |
| 404 |
小朋友 |
xiǎopéngyou |
noun |
child; little friend |
| 405 |
小时 |
xiǎoshí |
noun |
hour |
| 406 |
小学 |
xiǎoxué |
noun |
primary school |
| 407 |
小学生 |
xiǎoxuéshēng |
noun |
primary school student |
| 408 |
笑 |
xiào |
verb |
to smile; to laugh |
| 409 |
写 |
xiě |
verb |
to write |
| 410 |
谢谢 |
xièxie |
verb |
to thank; thanks |
| 411 |
新 |
xīn |
adjective |
new |
| 412 |
新年 |
xīnnián |
noun |
New Year |
| 413 |
星期 |
xīngqī |
noun |
week |
| 414 |
星期日 |
xīngqīrì |
noun |
Sunday |
| 415 |
星期天 |
xīngqītiān |
noun |
Sunday |
| 416 |
行 |
xíng |
verb, adjective |
to be OK; to go; capable |
| 417 |
休息 |
xiūxi |
verb |
to rest |
| 418 |
学 |
xué |
verb |
to study; to learn |
| 419 |
学生 |
xuésheng |
noun |
student |
| 420 |
学习 |
xuéxí |
verb, noun |
to study; to learn; study |
| 421 |
学校 |
xuéxiào |
noun |
school |
| 422 |
学院 |
xuéyuàn |
noun |
college; academy |
HSK 1 Words Starting with Y
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 423 |
要 |
yào |
verb, auxiliary |
to want; to need; will; must |
| 424 |
爷爷 |
yéye |
noun |
grandfather (father's father) |
| 425 |
也 |
yě |
adverb |
also; too |
| 426 |
页 |
yè |
measure word |
page |
| 427 |
一 |
yī |
number |
one |
| 428 |
衣服 |
yīfu |
noun |
clothes |
| 429 |
医生 |
yīshēng |
noun |
doctor |
| 430 |
医院 |
yīyuàn |
noun |
hospital |
| 431 |
一半 |
yībàn |
number |
half |
| 432 |
一会儿 |
yīhuìr |
noun, adverb |
a moment; a little while |
| 433 |
一块儿 |
yīkuàir |
adverb |
together |
| 434 |
一下儿 |
yīxiàr |
measure word |
(after a verb) once; a bit |
| 435 |
一样 |
yīyàng |
adjective |
the same; alike |
| 436 |
一边 |
yībiān |
noun, adverb |
side; while (doing sth) |
| 437 |
一点儿 |
yīdiǎnr |
measure word |
a little; a bit |
| 438 |
一起 |
yīqǐ |
adverb |
together |
| 439 |
一些 |
yīxiē |
measure word |
some; a few |
| 440 |
用 |
yòng |
verb, preposition |
to use; with |
| 441 |
有 |
yǒu |
verb |
to have; there is |
| 442 |
有的 |
yǒude |
pronoun |
some |
| 443 |
有名 |
yǒumíng |
adjective |
famous; well-known |
| 444 |
有时候 |
yǒushíhou |
adverb |
sometimes |
| 445 |
有（一）些 |
yǒu (yī)xiē |
pronoun, adverb |
some; somewhat |
| 446 |
有用 |
yǒuyòng |
adjective |
useful |
| 447 |
右 |
yòu |
noun |
right |
| 448 |
右边 |
yòubian |
noun |
right side |
| 449 |
雨 |
yǔ |
noun |
rain |
| 450 |
元 |
yuán |
measure word |
yuan (unit of money) |
| 451 |
远 |
yuǎn |
adjective |
far |
| 452 |
月 |
yuè |
noun |
month; moon |
HSK 1 Words Starting with Z
| # |
Hanzi |
Pinyin |
Part of speech |
Meaning |
| 453 |
再 |
zài |
adverb |
again; then |
| 454 |
再见 |
zàijiàn |
phrase |
goodbye |
| 455 |
在 |
zài |
verb, preposition, adverb |
to be at; at; in; (doing) now |
| 456 |
在家 |
zàijiā |
verb |
to be at home |
| 457 |
早 |
zǎo |
adjective |
early; good morning |
| 458 |
早饭 |
zǎofàn |
noun |
breakfast |
| 459 |
早上 |
zǎoshang |
noun |
morning |
| 460 |
怎么 |
zěnme |
pronoun |
how; why |
| 461 |
站 |
zhàn |
noun, verb |
station; stop; to stand |
| 462 |
找 |
zhǎo |
verb |
to look for; to find |
| 463 |
找到 |
zhǎodào |
verb |
to find |
| 464 |
这 |
zhè |
pronoun |
this |
| 465 |
这边 |
zhèbiān |
pronoun |
this side; over here |
| 466 |
这里 |
zhèlǐ |
pronoun |
here |
| 467 |
这儿 |
zhèr |
pronoun |
here |
| 468 |
这些 |
zhèxiē |
pronoun |
these |
| 469 |
着 |
zhe |
particle |
(particle for a continuing state) |
| 470 |
真 |
zhēn |
adverb, adjective |
really; truly; real |
| 471 |
真的 |
zhēn de |
adverb, adjective |
really; truly; real |
| 472 |
正 |
zhèng |
adverb |
right now; in the middle of |
| 473 |
正在 |
zhèngzài |
adverb |
in the process of; right now |
| 474 |
知道 |
zhīdào |
verb |
to know |
| 475 |
知识 |
zhīshi |
noun |
knowledge |
| 476 |
中 |
zhōng |
noun |
middle; center; China |
| 477 |
中国 |
Zhōngguó |
noun |
China |
| 478 |
中间 |
zhōngjiān |
noun |
middle; between |
| 479 |
中文 |
Zhōngwén |
noun |
Chinese (language) |
| 480 |
中午 |
zhōngwǔ |
noun |
noon; midday |
| 481 |
中学 |
zhōngxué |
noun |
middle school |
| 482 |
中学生 |
zhōngxuéshēng |
noun |
middle school student |
| 483 |
重 |
zhòng |
adjective |
heavy |
| 484 |
重要 |
zhòngyào |
adjective |
important |
| 485 |
住 |
zhù |
verb |
to live; to stay |
| 486 |
准备 |
zhǔnbèi |
verb, noun |
to prepare; preparation |
| 487 |
桌子 |
zhuōzi |
noun |
table; desk |
| 488 |
字 |
zì |
noun |
character; word |
| 489 |
子 |
zi |
suffix |
(noun suffix) |
| 490 |
走 |
zǒu |
verb |
to walk; to leave; to go |
| 491 |
走路 |
zǒulù |
verb |
to walk; to go on foot |
| 492 |
最 |
zuì |
adverb |
most; -est |
| 493 |
最好 |
zuìhǎo |
adverb, adjective |
had better; best |
| 494 |
最后 |
zuìhòu |
noun |
last; final; in the end |
| 495 |
昨天 |
zuótiān |
noun |
yesterday |
| 496 |
左 |
zuǒ |
noun |
left |
| 497 |
左边 |
zuǒbian |
noun |
left side |
| 498 |
坐 |
zuò |
verb |
to sit; to take (a bus, plane) |
| 499 |
坐下 |
zuòxia |
verb |
to sit down |
| 500 |
做 |
zuò |
verb |
to do; to make |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words are on the HSK 1 vocabulary list?
The New HSK 3.0 Level 1 list has 500 words. The older HSK 2.0 Level 1 list had 150 words. Check which version your exam uses on chinesetest.cn, because the format can depend on your test center and date.
Do I need to write the HSK 1 characters by hand?
You need to recognize them for reading. Whether handwriting is tested depends on the exam version and on whether you take the paper or computer test, so check chinesetest.cn. Writing the words a few times still helps you tell similar characters apart.
How long does it take to learn all 500 HSK 1 words?
At 10 new words a day, the list takes about 50 days, plus daily reviews. Many learners finish in two to three months with about 20 minutes of study a day.
Should I learn the pinyin or the characters first?
Learn them together. Use pinyin to get the sound and tone right, then link that sound to the character. If you only read pinyin, the characters will feel new later, and you will have to learn every word twice.
Is the old 150-word HSK 1 list still useful?
Yes. Most of those 150 words are also on the new 500-word list, so little of what you learned is wasted. If your exam still uses the 2.0 paper, focus on that list first, then fill in the rest.
What's Next
To turn this list into a week-by-week plan, follow the complete HSK 1 roadmap. When you can use these words in simple sentences, move on to the HSK 2 vocabulary list, which adds 772 new words. To see how the test itself works, read our guide to the HSK exam format and scoring.
Learn Chinese is free to download on iOS and Android, and HSK 1 is free in full in the app, with all its words, audio, flashcards and practice tests to help you learn this list.