HSK 3 Vocabulary List: Essential Words You Must Know

HSK 3 is a major milestone in your Chinese learning journey. With 600 vocabulary words (including HSK 1 and 2), you'll have enough Chinese to hold real conversations, read simple texts, and navigate Chinese-speaking environments with confidence.

Why HSK 3 is Different

HSK 3 marks the transition from basic to intermediate Chinese. Unlike HSK 1 and 2, which focus on survival Chinese, HSK 3 introduces:

• Abstract concepts: Emotions, opinions, hypotheticals
• Complex grammar: Multiple clause sentences, various aspect markers
• Nuanced vocabulary: Subtle differences between similar words
• Cultural topics: Chinese customs, social interactions, idioms

HSK 3 Word Categories

1. Action Verbs (约80 words)

Essential verbs that go beyond basic actions:

• Complex Actions:

  • 发现 (fāxiàn) - to discover
  • 经历 (jīnglì) - to experience
  • 研究 (yánjiū) - to research
  • 表达 (biǎodá) - to express

• Mental Actions:

  • 考虑 (kǎolǜ) - to consider
  • 理解 (lǐjiě) - to understand
  • 记得 (jìde) - to remember
  • 决定 (juédìng) - to decide

• Communication Verbs:

  • 讨论 (tǎolùn) - to discuss
  • 解释 (jiěshì) - to explain
  • 同意 (tóngyì) - to agree
  • 反对 (fǎnduì) - to oppose

2. Descriptive Adjectives (约70 words)

Beyond "big" and "small" - HSK 3 adds nuance:

• Emotions:

  • 兴奋 (xīngfèn) - excited
  • 紧张 (jǐnzhāng) - nervous
  • 满意 (mǎnyì) - satisfied
  • 失望 (shīwàng) - disappointed

• Qualities:

  • 复杂 (fùzá) - complex
  • 简单 (jiǎndān) - simple
  • 普通 (pǔtōng) - ordinary
  • 特殊 (tèshū) - special

• Evaluative:

  • 有趣 (yǒuqù) - interesting
  • 无聊 (wúliáo) - boring
  • 重要 (zhòngyào) - important
  • 必要 (bìyào) - necessary

3. Nouns (约150 words)

Expanded vocabulary for various domains:

• Abstract Concepts:

  • 机会 (jīhuì) - opportunity
  • 困难 (kùnnán) - difficulty
  • 经验 (jīngyàn) - experience
  • 目的 (mùdì) - purpose

• Professional:

  • 公司 (gōngsī) - company
  • 办公室 (bàngōngshì) - office
  • 会议 (huìyì) - meeting
  • 项目 (xiàngmù) - project

• Academic:

  • 知识 (zhīshi) - knowledge
  • 科学 (kēxué) - science
  • 历史 (lìshǐ) - history
  • 文化 (wénhuà) - culture

4. Adverbs and Connectors (约60 words)

Critical for natural-sounding Chinese:

• Time/Sequence:

  • 突然 (tūrán) - suddenly
  • 渐渐 (jiànjiàn) - gradually
  • 终于 (zhōngyú) - finally
  • 同时 (tóngshí) - simultaneously

• Degree:

  • 非常 (fēicháng) - extremely
  • 特别 (tèbié) - especially
  • 太 (tài) - too (excessive)
  • 相当 (xiāngdāng) - quite, fairly

• Logic Connectors:

  • 尽管 (jǐnguǎn) - although
  • 否则 (fǒuzé) - otherwise
  • 而且 (érqiě) - moreover
  • 因此 (yīncǐ) - therefore

Must-Know Grammar with HSK 3 Vocabulary

1. Resultative Complements

Many HSK 3 verbs use result complements:

• 看见 (kànjiàn) - to see (look + perceive)
• 听懂 (tīngdǒng) - to understand by listening
• 找到 (zhǎodào) - to find successfully
• 学会 (xuéhuì) - to learn/master

2. Aspect Markers

• 了 (le) - completed action
• 过 (guò) - past experience
• 着 (zhe) - continuous state

3. Comparative Structures

• 比 (bǐ) - comparison
• 跟...一样 (gēn...yíyàng) - same as
• 越来越 (yuèláiyuè) - more and more

Memory Techniques for HSK 3

1. Semantic Grouping

Group words by meaning rather than alphabetically:

Weather Words:

• 天气 (tiānqì) - weather
• 刮风 (guāfēng) - windy
• 下雨 (xiàyǔ) - rain
• 晴天 (qíngtiān) - sunny

Business Words:

• 老板 (lǎobǎn) - boss
• 员工 (yuángōng) - employee
• 工资 (gōngzī) - salary
• 合同 (hétong) - contract

2. Character Component Analysis

Many HSK 3 words share components:

Words with 言 (speech radical):

• 说 (shuō) - to speak
• 话 (huà) - speech, words
• 语 (yǔ) - language
• 讨论 (tǎolùn) - to discuss

3. Example Sentence Method

Create personalized sentences:

Instead of: 影响 (yǐngxiǎng) - to influence

Use: 天气会影响我的心情。 (Weather influences my mood.)

4. Opposite Pairs

Learn antonyms together:

• 开始 (kāishǐ) - to start ↔ 结束 (jiéshù) - to end
• 简单 (jiǎndān) - simple ↔ 复杂 (fùzá) - complex
• 成功 (chénggōng) - success ↔ 失败 (shībài) - failure

Common HSK 3 Word Traps

Similar Sounds, Different Meanings

1. 完 (wán) vs. 晚 (wǎn)

   • 完 (wán) - to finish
   • 晚 (wǎn) - late

2. 进 (jìn) vs. 近 (jìn)

   • 进 (jìn) - to enter
   • 近 (jìn) - near

3. 有 (yǒu) vs. 又 (yòu)

   • 有 (yǒu) - to have
   • 又 (yòu) - again, also

Context-Dependent Words

Some HSK 3 words change meaning based on context:

打 (dǎ):

• 打电话 (dǎ diànhuà) - to make a phone call
• 打篮球 (dǎ lánqiú) - to play basketball
• 打扫 (dǎsǎo) - to clean

Study Schedule for HSK 3

Option 1: Intensive (3 months)

• Daily: 45-60 minutes
• New words: 8-10 per day
• Review: 30 minutes spaced repetition

Option 2: Comfortable (4-5 months)

• Daily: 30 minutes
• New words: 5-6 per day
• Review: 20 minutes spaced repetition

Option 3: Relaxed (6+ months)

• Daily: 20-30 minutes
• New words: 3-4 per day
• Review: 15 minutes spaced repetition

HSK 3 Vocabulary by Topic

Daily Life (约80 words)

Shopping, cooking, housing, transportation

Work & Study (约70 words)

Office, school, professional situations

Social Interactions (约60 words)

Making friends, invitations, politeness

Health & Body (约40 words)

Medical terms, body parts, symptoms

Environment & Nature (约50 words)

Weather, geography, animals

Testing Your HSK 3 Vocabulary

You've mastered HSK 3 vocabulary when you can:

1. Recognition: Identify all 600 words in reading
2. Production: Use words correctly in speech/writing
3. Speed: Read HSK 3 texts without dictionary
4. Context: Understand subtle meaning differences

Tools for HSK 3 Mastery

• HSK Lord: Optimized spaced repetition for all 600 words
• Pleco: Handwriting practice and example sentences
• Du Chinese: Graded readers at HSK 3 level
• Anki: Create custom flashcard decks

Beyond Vocabulary: Making HSK 3 Stick

1. Immersion

Watch Chinese shows with Chinese subtitles. You'll start recognizing HSK 3 vocabulary naturally.

2. Output Practice

Write short diary entries using only HSK 1-3 vocabulary. Constraint breeds creativity.

3. Conversation Practice

Find language exchange partners. Speaking solidifies vocabulary faster than any flashcard.

4. Reading Practice

Start with graded readers, then graduate to simple Chinese novels or news articles.

Conclusion

HSK 3's 600 words give you the vocabulary foundation for real-world Chinese usage. Focus on learning words in semantic groups, use spaced repetition consistently, and practice active output alongside passive recognition.

The jump from HSK 2 to HSK 3 is significant, but with 4-6 months of consistent study, you'll reach a level where Chinese becomes genuinely useful and enjoyable.

Ready to master HSK 3 vocabulary? Start learning with HSK Lord's spaced repetition system and track your progress through all 600 words.

Related Articles:

• Complete HSK 1 Study Guide
• How to Pass HSK 4
• Spaced Repetition for Chinese