Integrated Chinese Vocabulary List: Levels 1 & 2 Complete

What Is Integrated Chinese?

Integrated Chinese (中文听说读写 / Zhongwen Ting Shuo Du Xie) is a comprehensive Chinese language textbook series authored by Tao-Chung Yao, Yuehua Liu, Liangyan Ge, Yea-Fen Chen, Nyan-Ping Bi, and Xiaojun Wang. Published by Cheng & Tsui Company, it has been the dominant Chinese language textbook in North American higher education for over two decades. The series is now in its 4th Edition, released in 2017, which updated cultural content, improved exercise design, and enhanced the companion digital platform.

The textbook earns its name from its integrated approach to language learning: rather than teaching reading, writing, listening, and speaking as separate skills, each lesson weaves all four together. A typical lesson begins with a dialogue (对话), followed by vocabulary (生词), grammar notes (语法), character practice (汉字), and exercises that combine listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. This integrated methodology is one reason the series is so widely adopted — it provides a complete curriculum in a single textbook rather than requiring multiple supplementary materials.

Integrated Chinese is used at hundreds of universities including Harvard, Stanford, MIT, UC Berkeley, and the University of Michigan, as well as a growing number of high school AP Chinese programs. According to Cheng & Tsui, it is used by more Chinese language programs in the United States than any other textbook. If you are studying Chinese at an American university or taking AP Chinese, there is a strong chance you are using or will use Integrated Chinese.

The series is divided into two main levels. Level 1 (typically covered in Chinese 101/102 or first-year Chinese) introduces approximately 300 vocabulary words across 10 lessons covering everyday topics. Level 2 (typically covered in Chinese 201/202 or second-year Chinese) adds another 300+ vocabulary words across 10 additional lessons that expand into more complex social and academic topics. Together, the two levels build a foundation of roughly 600-650 words — enough to handle most daily conversations and read simple Chinese texts.

Integrated Chinese Level 1: Lesson-by-Lesson Vocabulary Overview

Level 1 is designed for true beginners with no prior Chinese knowledge. Over the course of 10 lessons, students build a vocabulary of approximately 300 words while learning fundamental grammar patterns, basic character writing, and conversational skills. Each lesson introduces vocabulary through a realistic dialogue scenario, making the words immediately useful in context. Below is a detailed breakdown of what each lesson covers and how it maps to HSK levels.

Level 1 Lesson Details

Lesson 1: Greetings & Introductions. This is where every Chinese learner starts. You will learn how to say hello (你好 / ni hao), ask someone's name (你叫什么名字?), state your own name, and use basic politeness expressions like 请 (please) and 谢谢 (thank you). The grammar focus is on the verb 是 (to be) and the question particle 吗. These words form the absolute foundation of Chinese communication and correspond directly to HSK 1 vocabulary.

Lesson 2: Family. You will learn terms for every immediate family member — 爸爸 (dad), 妈妈 (mom), 哥哥 (older brother), 姐姐 (older sister), 弟弟 (younger brother), 妹妹 (younger sister) — as well as how to describe your family structure using 有 (to have) and numbers. The measure word 个 is introduced here. Family vocabulary is one of the most universally useful categories and appears on every beginner Chinese proficiency test.

Lesson 3: Dates & Time. This lesson teaches you to express dates (月 for month, 号 for day, 年 for year), days of the week (星期一 through 星期天), and how to ask and tell time. The grammar focus includes the question word 几 and expressing sequences with 先...然后. Understanding date and time expressions is essential for making plans, which is the focus of later lessons.

Lesson 4: Hobbies. Here you learn to talk about what you enjoy doing: 喜欢 (to like), 看书 (to read), 打球 (to play ball), 听音乐 (to listen to music), 跳舞 (to dance), and 唱歌 (to sing). The grammar introduces the particle 得 for describing how well someone does an activity and the adverb 也 (also). This is a key lesson for developing conversational ability since hobbies are a natural topic in social situations.

Lesson 5: Visiting Friends. This lesson moves into domestic vocabulary: 房间 (room), 客厅 (living room), and action verbs like 进来 (to come in), 坐 (to sit), and 喝 (to drink). You also learn beverage words like 茶 (tea) and 咖啡 (coffee). The grammar focuses on directional complements and polite requests. This lesson bridges HSK 1 and HSK 2 vocabulary, with some words at each level.

Lessons 6-10 progressively introduce more complex situations. Lesson 6 (Making Appointments) teaches scheduling language. Lesson 7 (Studying Chinese) introduces academic vocabulary and the grammar of comparison (比). Lesson 8 (School Life) covers campus locations and daily routines. Lesson 9 (Shopping) introduces money, prices, and bargaining language. Lesson 10 (Transportation) teaches travel vocabulary including modes of transport and giving directions. By the end of Level 1, you have the vocabulary to navigate most routine daily interactions in Chinese.

Integrated Chinese Level 2: Lesson-by-Lesson Vocabulary Overview

Level 2 picks up where Level 1 ends and introduces more nuanced vocabulary for academic, social, and practical situations. The dialogues become longer, the grammar more complex, and the topics more varied. Students who complete Level 2 will have a vocabulary of approximately 600+ words — enough to discuss opinions, describe experiences, handle practical tasks like seeing a doctor or renting an apartment, and engage in semi-formal conversation.

Level 2 Lesson Details

Lesson 11: Weather & Seasons. This lesson introduces vocabulary for describing weather conditions (天气 / weather, 下雨 / to rain, 刮风 / to be windy) and the four seasons. Grammar points include comparison structures (比...更) and expressing weather-related states. Most of these words fall within HSK 2, making this a natural bridge between Levels 1 and 2.

Lesson 12: Dining & Food. Restaurant vocabulary is essential for real-world Chinese use. You will learn to order food (点菜), interact with a server (服务员), describe tastes (好吃 / delicious, 辣 / spicy), and handle the bill (买单). This lesson also introduces the important grammar pattern 是...的 for emphasizing circumstances. The vocabulary straddles HSK 2 and HSK 3 levels.

Lesson 13: Asking Directions. Navigating a Chinese city requires directional vocabulary: 往 (toward), 左 (left), 右 (right), 前面 (front), 后面 (behind), 对面 (across from), and 路口 (intersection). This lesson teaches how to ask for and give directions using landmarks and relative positions — a skill that remains important even in the age of GPS, especially for taxi rides and conversations with locals.

Lessons 14-17 cover social and practical life skills. Lesson 14 (Birthday Party) introduces celebration vocabulary and the grammar of expressing wishes. Lesson 15 (Seeing a Doctor) is one of the most practically useful lessons, teaching medical vocabulary that you will need if you ever visit a clinic in China. Lesson 16 (Dating & Relationships) covers social vocabulary for describing people and expressing feelings. Lesson 17 (Renting an Apartment) introduces housing vocabulary and the skills needed to discuss living arrangements.

Lessons 18-20 round out Level 2 with broader life skills. Lesson 18 (Sports & Exercise) teaches vocabulary for physical activities and competition. Lesson 19 (Travel & Vacations) covers essential travel logistics including booking tickets, packing, and airport procedures — particularly relevant for students planning study abroad in China. Lesson 20 (Post Office & Bank) introduces institutional vocabulary for handling mail and money. Together, these final lessons prepare students for independent living and travel in a Chinese-speaking environment.

How Integrated Chinese Maps to HSK Levels

One of the most common questions from Integrated Chinese users is how their textbook progress maps to standardized Chinese proficiency levels. The table below provides an approximate mapping between Integrated Chinese levels and the HSK framework. Keep in mind that Integrated Chinese follows an American university curriculum structure, while the HSK is a Chinese government standardized test — the two systems were not designed to align perfectly, but there is substantial overlap.

Key takeaway: If you have completed Integrated Chinese Level 1, you are well prepared for the HSK 2 exam. If you have completed both Levels 1 and 2, you have the vocabulary foundation for the HSK 3 exam, though you will need to supplement with the 15-20% of HSK 3 words that do not appear in the textbook. This is where a dedicated vocabulary tool becomes invaluable — you can identify and fill those gaps efficiently rather than guessing which words you are missing.

Words in Integrated Chinese but Not in HSK

Integrated Chinese includes some vocabulary that does not appear on HSK word lists. These tend to be American campus-life terms (like 宿舍 / dormitory, which is HSK 5 but appears in IC Level 1), culture-specific vocabulary related to the textbook's dialogues, and certain conversational fillers that the HSK does not formally test. Do not worry about these words — they are still useful for real communication, and knowing extra vocabulary never hurts on a proficiency test.

Words in HSK but Not in Integrated Chinese

Conversely, the HSK includes words that Integrated Chinese does not cover until later (or at all). For example, HSK 2 includes 因为 (because) and 所以 (therefore), which Integrated Chinese may introduce later in its grammar notes rather than as standalone vocabulary items. If you are preparing for an HSK exam, download the HSK 2 word list or HSK 3 word list and cross-reference it against your Integrated Chinese lessons to identify any gaps.

Tips for Students Using Integrated Chinese

Having taught with and studied from Integrated Chinese extensively, here are the strategies that make the biggest difference for vocabulary retention and overall progress:

1. Study the Dialogues, Not Just the Word Lists

Many students skip straight to the vocabulary list (生词) and try to memorize words in isolation. This is a mistake. The dialogues (对话) at the beginning of each lesson show you how words are actually used in context — the collocations, the sentence patterns, the natural flow of conversation. Read each dialogue at least three times: once to get the general meaning, once to focus on new vocabulary in context, and once to practice reading aloud at natural speed. If your edition comes with audio (the 4th Edition does), listen while you read. Vocabulary learned in context is retained 40-60% better than vocabulary memorized from lists alone, according to research on incidental vocabulary acquisition.

2. Do Not Skip Character Writing Practice

In an age of digital communication, it is tempting to skip handwriting practice entirely. Resist this temptation, at least for the first two semesters. Research consistently shows that the motor memory from physically writing Chinese characters strengthens recognition and recall. You do not need to practice every character ten times — three to five careful repetitions with attention to stroke order is sufficient. Use the character workbook that accompanies the textbook, or practice on grid paper. The goal is not beautiful calligraphy; it is building a physical memory of each character's structure.

3. Use Spaced Repetition to Supplement Your Textbook

This is the single most impactful habit you can adopt. Integrated Chinese, like every textbook, has a critical weakness: it moves forward relentlessly. Once you finish Lesson 3 and move to Lesson 4, the textbook provides no systematic mechanism for reviewing Lesson 3 vocabulary. Within two weeks of learning new words, you will have forgotten 60-70% of them unless you actively review. This is the well-documented forgetting curve discovered by psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus. Spaced repetition systems (SRS) like HSKLord solve this problem by automatically scheduling reviews at optimal intervals — bringing each word back just as you are about to forget it. Students who use SRS alongside Integrated Chinese typically retain 85-95% of vocabulary long-term, compared to 30-40% for textbook-only study.

4. Pre-Learn Vocabulary Before Each Lesson

Most Chinese instructors assign vocabulary to be learned before class, not during class. Take this seriously. If you show up to class already familiar with the lesson's new words, the in-class time becomes reinforcement and practice rather than first exposure. You will understand the dialogue better, participate more actively in pair exercises, and absorb grammar points faster because you are not simultaneously struggling with unfamiliar vocabulary. Spend 15-20 minutes the night before class going through the new word list — learn the pinyin, the meaning, and at least a rough sense of each character's appearance.

5. Review Old Lessons Regularly

When you are on Lesson 8, go back and skim the dialogues from Lessons 1-7. Can you still read them fluently? Are there words you have forgotten? This backward review is what separates students who finish Integrated Chinese with solid retention from those who feel like they learned nothing. Set aside 10 minutes per week to re-read one or two old dialogues. If you encounter forgotten words, add them back to your SRS queue for targeted review.

Where Integrated Chinese Falls Short

Integrated Chinese is an excellent textbook, but no single resource is perfect for every aspect of language learning. Understanding its limitations helps you supplement effectively.

Limited Built-In Review Mechanism

As mentioned above, Integrated Chinese has no built-in spaced repetition or cumulative review system. Each lesson focuses on new material, and earlier vocabulary is only incidentally reinforced when it happens to appear in later dialogues. The end-of-lesson exercises test the current lesson's vocabulary but do not systematically review previous lessons. This means that a student who relies solely on the textbook will experience significant vocabulary decay over time — by the end of Level 2, many students have forgotten a large portion of Level 1 vocabulary. This is not a design flaw unique to Integrated Chinese; it is a limitation inherent to the textbook format. The solution is to pair the textbook with an external review system.

Dialogues Can Feel Artificial

Textbook dialogues are necessarily simplified and structured to introduce specific grammar points and vocabulary. Some Integrated Chinese dialogues feel stilted compared to natural Chinese conversation. The characters (like the recurring 王朋 and 李友 in earlier editions) exist primarily as vehicles for language instruction, and their conversations are not always how real people talk. Supplement the textbook with authentic Chinese content when possible — short videos, podcasts for learners, or conversations with native speakers — to develop an ear for natural speech patterns alongside the textbook's structured language.

Listening and Speaking Need More Practice

While Integrated Chinese includes audio recordings and oral exercises, the amount of listening and speaking practice in the textbook alone is insufficient for developing strong oral skills. Most of the exercises are reading and writing focused. To compensate, seek out additional listening materials at your level, practice speaking with classmates or language partners outside of class, and use the textbook's audio recordings for shadowing practice (listening and repeating simultaneously). If your school does not provide enough speaking practice hours, consider a conversation tutor or language exchange partner.

How HSKLord Complements Your Integrated Chinese Textbook

HSKLord was built specifically to solve the vocabulary retention problem that textbooks like Integrated Chinese cannot solve on their own. Here is how the two work together:

• HSK-aligned vocabulary: HSKLord's word lists are organized by HSK level, which maps directly to your Integrated Chinese progress. Working on IC Level 1? Study HSK 1 and HSK 2 vocabulary on HSKLord to reinforce and expand what you are learning in class.
• Spaced repetition scheduling: HSKLord automatically schedules reviews at optimal intervals using a scientifically calibrated spaced repetition algorithm. You never have to decide what to review or when — the system handles this for you, ensuring that old vocabulary stays fresh even as you learn new lessons.
• Native audio for every word: Every word in HSKLord includes native Mandarin pronunciation, which reinforces the audio component that can be hard to practice from a textbook alone. Hear each word, repeat it, and build listening recognition alongside character recognition.
• Gap identification: Because HSKLord tracks which words you know and which you do not, it can show you exactly which HSK words are missing from your Integrated Chinese vocabulary. This is especially useful when preparing for HSK exams after finishing IC Level 1 or Level 2.
• Progress tracking: See how many words you have mastered, how many are in your review queue, and how your retention rate trends over time. This gives you concrete data to guide your study decisions rather than relying on the vague feeling of "I think I know these words."

The combination of a structured textbook (Integrated Chinese) for learning new material and an SRS tool (HSKLord) for retaining it is the most efficient approach to building lasting Chinese vocabulary. The textbook introduces words in context with grammar and culture; the SRS ensures you actually remember them months later when you need them.

Recommended Study Schedule for IC Students

Based on a typical university schedule where a new Integrated Chinese lesson is covered every 1-2 weeks, here is an effective daily study routine that maximizes vocabulary retention:

• Before class (15 minutes): Pre-learn the new lesson's vocabulary using HSKLord flashcards or the textbook word list. Focus on recognizing pinyin and meaning — you do not need to memorize characters perfectly yet.
• After class (20 minutes): Review the dialogue from class. Read it aloud once. Then do your HSKLord review session, which will include both new words from the current lesson and review words from previous lessons.
• Weekend review (30 minutes): Re-read one or two old dialogues from earlier lessons. Complete any remaining HSKLord reviews. Practice writing characters for the current lesson.
• Before exams (45-60 minutes): Do a focused review of all vocabulary from the lessons being tested. HSKLord's review system naturally prioritizes words you are weakest on, making exam prep more targeted.

This schedule totals approximately 35-50 minutes per day of vocabulary-focused study, which aligns with the recommended daily study time for language learners. The key principle is consistency: daily short sessions are dramatically more effective than occasional long cramming sessions. A student who studies 20 minutes every day will outperform a student who studies 3 hours once a week, even though the weekly total is lower.

Integrated Chinese Editions: What Changed?

If you are buying the textbook or finding supplementary materials online, you may encounter references to different editions. Here is a brief overview of how the series has evolved:

• 1st Edition (1997): The original publication that established Integrated Chinese as a major textbook. Two volumes per level (Part 1 and Part 2).
• 2nd Edition (2005): Updated cultural references, improved exercises, and expanded companion materials. Still used the two-volume-per-level structure.
• 3rd Edition (2009): Significant redesign with full-color layout, new dialogues, and improved grammar explanations. Added more contemporary vocabulary like internet-related terms. Combined each level into a single volume.
• 4th Edition (2017): Current edition. Reorganized some lesson topics, updated cultural notes for modern China, enhanced the digital companion platform with streaming audio and video. The core vocabulary is approximately 90% the same as the 3rd Edition, with some words moved to different lessons and a handful of new words added.

Practical advice: Always use the edition your instructor assigns. If you are a self-learner, use the 4th Edition. If you find 3rd Edition materials (like flashcard decks or study guides) at a discount, they are still highly usable — the vocabulary differences are minor. Avoid the 1st and 2nd Editions, which are significantly outdated in both content and approach.

What Comes After Integrated Chinese?

After completing both levels of Integrated Chinese, students typically have a vocabulary of 600+ words and a solid foundation in Chinese grammar. This is equivalent to roughly HSK 3 proficiency, which means you can handle basic daily communication, read simple texts, and express opinions on familiar topics. But the journey is far from over — HSK 3 represents an early intermediate level, and the road to fluency requires significantly more vocabulary and practice.

Common next steps for IC students include:

• Advanced Chinese textbooks: Many programs transition to textbooks like "A New China" (新的中国), "All Things Considered" (各种方面), or authentic Chinese reading materials for third-year and fourth-year courses.
• HSK exam preparation: Taking the HSK 3 exam after IC Level 2 is a natural milestone. Then work toward HSK 4, which requires approximately 1,200 words and represents true intermediate proficiency.
• Study abroad in China: With IC Level 2 complete, you have enough language to survive daily life in China. Many students pursue a semester or summer abroad at this point to accelerate their progress through immersion.
• Continued SRS review: Whatever path you take next, keep reviewing your existing vocabulary with HSKLord. The 600+ words from IC are your foundation — losing them through neglect means rebuilding from scratch later. Maintenance reviews take only 10-15 minutes per day once your initial learning is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions