Beginner band
HSK Level 1
The first level of the new HSK. It covers the words you need for greetings, numbers, time, family and the most common verbs.
What the new HSK 1 exam expects
From the CLEC, HSK Test Syllabus (中文水平考试 HSK 考试大纲), released 15 November 2025. The syllabus lists 300 entries at this level, one per sense, which is 300 distinct words.
When you can sit HSK 1
| Test date | Which exam | Registration closes |
|---|---|---|
| 17 October 2026 | Old HSK (2.0) | Registration closed |
| 7 November 2026 | Old HSK (2.0), the last global sitting | Internet 28 October 2026 |
| 13 December 2026 | New HSK, the first official sitting | Paper 16 November 2026, internet 3 December 2026 |
Registration closes at 24:00 Beijing time on the day shown. Test centres often close earlier than CTI’s deadline, so check with yours. Every date and centre
HSK 1 on the old exam and the new one
Old HSK 1 was set at 150 words in total. New HSK 1 expects 300. The level numbers stayed; what each one asks for did not.
A learner who knows every word on the old HSK 1 list is still working toward new HSK 1 by our count against the official lists, counting a level as ready at four words in five.
What you can do at HSK 1
- Introduce yourself and ask simple questions about other people
- Handle numbers, prices, dates and the time of day
- Read short sentences built from the most common characters
- Follow slow, clear speech about familiar topics
Words from the HSK 1 syllabus
12 of the 300 words, in syllabus order.
How to study for HSK 1
- 1.Learn pinyin and the four tones properly before anything else. Every later level assumes them.
- 2.Study each word with a short example sentence, not as a character on its own.
- 3.Review a little every day rather than a lot once a week. Spaced repetition does the scheduling for you.
HSK Lord’s HSK 1 study list follows the 2021 national standard, which the exam syllabus grew out of. We are moving every study list onto the syllabus; until then the syllabus list above is the one to check against the exam.
Get the HSK 1 vocabulary PDF free
Every word on HSK Lord's HSK 1 list with pinyin and English, formatted to print. Tell us where to send it.
The 506 words of our HSK 1 study list, one email with the download link, and an unsubscribe link in every email.
Prefer not to give an email? Browse the same list free online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related reading
Sources
- CLEC, HSK Test Syllabus (中文水平考试 HSK 考试大纲), published 15 November 2025, read 26 September 2026.
- Chinese Testing International, HSK 3.0 launch notice, published 9 September 2026, read 26 September 2026.
- Chinese Testing International, 2026 HSK test dates, published 25 December 2025, read 26 September 2026.
- Chinese Testing International, notice for the second HSK 3.0 trial sitting, published 12 August 2026, read 26 September 2026.
- CCTV Education, report on the new HSK standard, published 19 December 2025, read 26 September 2026.
- Wikipedia, "Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi" (its table of the 2012 HSK levels), read 27 September 2026.
On the new HSK 1 exam
Studying for HSK 1? Practice the rest of your level.
HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each word comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.