HSK Vocabulary List Complete: All Words for HSK 1-6

The HSK vocabulary lists are the foundation of Chinese language proficiency. Understanding the complete vocabulary requirements for all six HSK levels helps you plan your learning journey and set realistic goals. This comprehensive guide provides complete information about HSK vocabulary lists, word counts, organization, and effective study strategies. For comprehensive vocabulary learning strategies, see our Chinese vocabulary learning guide and vocabulary hub.

HSK Vocabulary Overview

Vocabulary by Level

HSK 1: 150 words

• Foundation vocabulary
• Basic daily communication
• Simple sentence structures
• Essential characters

HSK 2: 300 words total (150 new)

• Building on HSK 1
• More complex daily situations
• Basic grammar patterns
• Expanded vocabulary

HSK 3: 600 words total (300 new)

• Intermediate communication
• Work and study contexts
• More complex grammar
• Longer sentence structures

HSK 4: 1,200 words total (600 new)

• Upper-intermediate proficiency
• Professional and academic contexts
• Abstract vocabulary
• Formal language

HSK 5: 2,500 words total (1,300 new)

• Advanced proficiency
• Academic and professional content
• Complex vocabulary
• Sophisticated expressions

HSK 6: 5,000+ words total (2,500+ new)

• Near-native proficiency
• Literary and academic vocabulary
• Highly specialized terms
• Advanced expressions

Cumulative Vocabulary Growth

The HSK vocabulary system builds cumulatively:

• HSK 1: 150 words (base)
• HSK 2: 300 words (150 + 150 new)
• HSK 3: 600 words (300 + 300 new)
• HSK 4: 1,200 words (600 + 600 new)
• HSK 5: 2,500 words (1,200 + 1,300 new)
• HSK 6: 5,000+ words (2,500 + 2,500+ new)

Each level includes all vocabulary from previous levels, so you're always building on what you know.

HSK 1 Vocabulary (150 Words)

Word Categories

Greetings and Basic Expressions:

• 你好 (nǐ hǎo) - hello
• 谢谢 (xièxiè) - thank you
• 再见 (zàijiàn) - goodbye
• 对不起 (duìbùqǐ) - sorry

Personal Pronouns:

• 我 (wǒ) - I, me
• 你 (nǐ) - you
• 他 (tā) - he, him
• 她 (tā) - she, her

Numbers:

• 一 (yī) - one
• 二 (èr) - two
• 三 (sān) - three
• Numbers 1-100

Family:

• 爸爸 (bàba) - father
• 妈妈 (māma) - mother
• 哥哥 (gēge) - older brother
• 姐姐 (jiějie) - older sister

Daily Activities:

• 吃 (chī) - to eat
• 喝 (hē) - to drink
• 去 (qù) - to go
• 来 (lái) - to come

Study Tips:

• Focus on pronunciation and tones
• Practice writing characters daily
• Learn words in context
• Use spaced repetition for efficient learning

Learn more about how spaced repetition works and memorizing Chinese characters.

Access: HSK 1 Vocabulary Page

HSK 2 Vocabulary (300 Words Total)

New Word Categories

Emotions:

• 高兴 (gāoxìng) - happy
• 难过 (nánguò) - sad
• 喜欢 (xǐhuān) - to like
• 爱 (ài) - to love

Descriptive Words:

• 大 (dà) - big
• 小 (xiǎo) - small
• 好 (hǎo) - good
• 坏 (huài) - bad

Time Expressions:

• 昨天 (zuótiān) - yesterday
• 今天 (jīntiān) - today
• 明天 (míngtiān) - tomorrow
• 现在 (xiànzài) - now

Places:

• 商店 (shāngdiàn) - store
• 医院 (yīyuàn) - hospital
• 公园 (gōngyuán) - park
• 学校 (xuéxiào) - school

Study Tips:

• Review HSK 1 words regularly
• Learn new words in groups
• Practice using adjectives and verbs
• Focus on grammar patterns

Access: HSK 2 Vocabulary Page

HSK 3 Vocabulary (600 Words Total)

New Word Categories

Work and Career:

• 工作 (gōngzuò) - work
• 公司 (gōngsī) - company
• 会议 (huìyì) - meeting
• 老板 (lǎobǎn) - boss

Education:

• 学习 (xuéxí) - to study
• 考试 (kǎoshì) - exam
• 作业 (zuòyè) - homework
• 老师 (lǎoshī) - teacher

Travel:

• 旅行 (lǚxíng) - travel
• 飞机 (fēijī) - airplane
• 火车 (huǒchē) - train
• 酒店 (jiǔdiàn) - hotel

Health:

• 健康 (jiànkāng) - health
• 医院 (yīyuàn) - hospital
• 医生 (yīshēng) - doctor
• 药 (yào) - medicine

Study Tips:

• Group related vocabulary
• Practice reading longer texts
• Focus on word usage patterns
• Use vocabulary in writing

Access: HSK 3 Vocabulary Page

HSK 4 Vocabulary (1,200 Words Total)

New Word Categories

Business and Economics:

• 经济 (jīngjì) - economy
• 市场 (shìchǎng) - market
• 投资 (tóuzī) - investment
• 竞争 (jìngzhēng) - competition

Culture and Society:

• 文化 (wénhuà) - culture
• 传统 (chuántǒng) - tradition
• 社会 (shèhuì) - society
• 历史 (lìshǐ) - history

Science and Technology:

• 科学 (kēxué) - science
• 技术 (jìshù) - technology
• 研究 (yánjiū) - research
• 发展 (fāzhǎn) - development

Abstract Concepts:

• 观点 (guāndiǎn) - viewpoint
• 态度 (tàidù) - attitude
• 影响 (yǐngxiǎng) - influence
• 因素 (yīnsù) - factor

Study Tips:

• Read news and formal texts
• Practice using formal vocabulary
• Focus on nuanced meanings
• Study word families

Access: HSK 4 Vocabulary Page

HSK 5 Vocabulary (2,500 Words Total)

New Word Categories

Academic Vocabulary:

• 研究 (yánjiū) - research
• 分析 (fēnxī) - analysis
• 理论 (lǐlùn) - theory
• 方法 (fāngfǎ) - method

Professional Terms:

• 管理 (guǎnlǐ) - management
• 决策 (juécè) - decision-making
• 战略 (zhànlüè) - strategy
• 资源 (zīyuán) - resources

Literary Expressions:

• 表达 (biǎodá) - to express
• 描述 (miáoshù) - to describe
• 阐述 (chǎnshù) - to elaborate
• 论证 (lùnzhèng) - to argue

Advanced Concepts:

• 复杂 (fùzá) - complex
• 深刻 (shēnkè) - profound
• 独特 (dútè) - unique
• 显著 (xiǎnzhù) - significant

Study Tips:

• Read academic papers
• Practice writing essays
• Study vocabulary in specialized contexts
• Focus on precision and nuance

Access: HSK 5 Vocabulary Page

HSK 6 Vocabulary (5,000+ Words Total)

New Word Categories

Highly Specialized Terms:

• Academic and professional terminology
• Literary and poetic expressions
• Advanced abstract concepts
• Sophisticated synonyms

Advanced Expressions:

• Idiomatic expressions (成语)
• Classical Chinese references
• Cultural nuances
• Near-native vocabulary

Study Tips:

• Read extensively across topics
• Study classical and modern literature
• Practice writing sophisticated texts
• Engage with native-level materials

Access: HSK 6 Vocabulary Page

Vocabulary Organization

By HSK Level

Structured Progression:

• Each level builds on previous
• Vocabulary increases systematically
• Grammar complexity increases
• Skills requirements expand

By Theme

Thematic Groups:

• Family and relationships
• Daily activities
• Work and study
• Travel and transportation
• Food and dining
• Health and medical
• Business and economics
• Culture and society

By Frequency

High-Frequency Words:

• Most commonly used words
• Essential for communication
• Appear frequently in tests
• Priority for learning

Low-Frequency Words:

• Less commonly used
• Specialized or advanced
• Important for higher levels
• Learn after mastering basics

Study Tips for HSK Vocabulary

1. Use Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is the most efficient method:

• Schedules reviews at optimal intervals
• Maximizes retention
• Minimizes study time
• Adapts to your learning pace

Tools:

• HSK Lord - Optimized for HSK vocabulary
• Anki - Customizable system
• Other SRS apps

2. Learn in Context

Don't memorize isolated words:

• Learn with example sentences
• Understand word usage
• See words in natural combinations
• Practice using words actively

3. Practice Character Writing

Writing reinforces memory:

• Write characters by hand
• Practice stroke order
• Write words in sentences
• Review through writing

4. Group Related Words

Thematic learning is effective:

• Learn words in categories
• Create vocabulary networks
• Build stronger connections
• Easier to recall

5. Review Regularly

Prevent forgetting:

• Review old words regularly
• Use spaced repetition
• Don't abandon previous levels
• Build cumulative knowledge

Vocabulary Learning Strategies

For Beginners (HSK 1-2)

Focus:

• Pronunciation and tones
• Character recognition
• Basic vocabulary
• Simple sentence usage

Methods:

• Learn 10-15 words per day
• Practice writing daily
• Use flashcards
• Learn in context

For Intermediate (HSK 3-4)

Focus:

• Expanding vocabulary
• Grammar patterns
• Reading comprehension
• Writing practice

Methods:

• Learn 8-12 words per day
• Read texts at your level
• Practice using words
• Group related vocabulary

For Advanced (HSK 5-6)

Focus:

• Advanced vocabulary
• Nuanced meanings
• Academic and professional terms
• Sophisticated usage

Methods:

• Learn 5-10 words per day
• Read extensively
• Study word families
• Practice in advanced contexts

Conclusion

The HSK vocabulary lists provide a structured path from beginner to advanced Chinese proficiency. Understanding the vocabulary requirements for each level helps you plan your learning journey and set realistic goals. Use effective methods like spaced repetition, learn words in context, and practice regularly to master HSK vocabulary efficiently.

Remember: vocabulary learning is a long-term process. Focus on steady progress, use effective methods, and don't rush. Quality learning beats quantity every time.

Ready to master HSK vocabulary? Start learning with HSK Lord and use our intelligent spaced repetition system to learn all HSK vocabulary efficiently.

FAQ

How many words do I need to know for each HSK level?

HSK 1: 150 words, HSK 2: 300 words, HSK 3: 600 words, HSK 4: 1,200 words, HSK 5: 2,500 words, HSK 6: 5,000+ words. Each level includes all words from previous levels.

Do I need to know all words perfectly?

You don't need perfect mastery, but you should recognize and understand all words for your target level. Aim for 80%+ recognition rate. Focus on high-frequency words first.

How long does it take to learn each level's vocabulary?

Study time varies: HSK 1 (1-2 months), HSK 2 (2-3 months), HSK 3 (3-4 months), HSK 4 (4-6 months), HSK 5 (6-10 months), HSK 6 (8-12 months). This assumes consistent daily study.

Should I learn vocabulary in order by HSK level?

Yes, it's recommended to learn vocabulary in order by HSK level. Each level builds on the previous one, and learning out of order makes higher levels more difficult.

What's the best way to memorize HSK vocabulary?

Spaced repetition is the most effective method. It schedules reviews at optimal intervals, maximizing retention while minimizing study time. Combine with writing practice and context learning.

Can I skip HSK levels?

Not recommended. Each level's vocabulary and grammar are essential foundations for the next level. Skipping levels means missing essential words and structures.

How do I know if I've mastered a level's vocabulary?

You've mastered vocabulary when you can: recognize characters instantly, understand meanings in context, pronounce correctly with tones, write from memory, and use in sentences. Spaced repetition tracks mastery.

Should I focus on characters, pinyin, or meanings?

For beginners, start with pinyin and meanings to build vocabulary quickly. Once you have a foundation, focus on character recognition and writing. A balanced approach is most effective.

How many new words should I learn per day?

Optimal numbers vary: HSK 1-2 (10-15 words/day), HSK 3-4 (8-12 words/day), HSK 5-6 (5-10 words/day). Consistency is more important than quantity.

What if I forget words I've learned?

Forgetting is normal. Use spaced repetition to review regularly. The system schedules reviews just before you're likely to forget, preventing long-term forgetting.

Related Articles:

• Chinese Vocabulary Hub - Complete vocabulary resources
• HSK Vocabulary Hub Page
• Chinese Vocabulary Learning Guide
• Memorize Chinese Characters
• Spaced Repetition for Chinese
• Best Spaced Repetition Apps
• HSK 1 Study Guide
• HSK 2 Study Guide
• How to Pass HSK 4