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HSK Vocabulary Lists: New HSK Level 1 - 9 Words Explained for Your Chinese Proficiency

Last updated: December 10, 2025

HSK Vocabulary Lists: New HSK 1 - 9, Resources

You are a smart learner looking for a one-stop solution for all the HSK vocabulary!🫵 The convenience of having a uniform source should never be underestimated. This guide is perfect for you, because here we will cover the resources for you to access the complete HSK 1 to 9 list of vocabulary. Explanations and tips for memorization are provided as well! Let's dive in and lose no time.

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HSK 1 (150 Words): Planting the first seed

Before explaining the details, it is necessary to mention that all the vocabulary is available through the HSK official website. Learners simply need to visit this link and select their HSK level to check all the vocabulary lists!

HSK 1 is where it all begins. With just 150 words, you’re equipped to pass the HSK test already.

  1. These are the fundamental particles of daily conversations:
  2. You learn the vital question words:
  3. There are other high-frequency nouns from your daily life as well:

Click here to access the complete list.

HSK 1 vocabulary content
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HSK 2 (300 Words): Building on your HSK 1 level

HSK 2 doubles your lexicon to the requirement of 300 words, but don't feel daunted by this goal. Here is a general rule about HSK vocabulary: each level's vocabulary requirement is built on the basis of the previous levels. Thus, there are only 150 new words if you have mastered the words from HSK 1.

  1. This level teaches you the words and phrases that connect and compare:
  2. There are more useful nouns:
  3. Learners will need to comprehend more verbs as well:

Click here to access the complete list.

New HSK Vocabulary Level 2
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HSK 3 (600 Words): Navigating towards the intermediate level

With 600 words at HSK 3, you’re learning to navigate to the intermediate level. This level introduces significant grammatical concepts through key vocabulary and witnesses a significant increase in the number of new words that you need to acquire.

  1. Verbs get sophisticated:
  2. More connection words are included: (Not only…but also…), (Apart from...)
  3. There are more detailed instructions on time and locations: (Nearby), (Afterwards), (Just now)

Click here to access the complete list.

Official website version of new HSK 3.0 vocabulary
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HSK 4 (1200 Words): Exploring the culture and national context of China

Reaching HSK 4 with its 1200 words is a major milestone. You’ve hit a critical mass where you can truly explore Chinese life and culture. Your speech becomes fluid and detailed.

  1. This level bombards you with formal verbs for academic or professional discourse: (To arrange), (To guarantee), (To graduate)
  2. Nouns for formal use are also included: (Standards), (Forms), (Doctor)
  3. Words related to Chinese culture are essential as well: (The Great Wall), (Yangtze River), (Beijing opera)

Click here to access the complete list.

HSK 4 Mandarin words with pinyin
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HSK 5 (2500 Words): Progressing further from level 4

HSK 5 has a vocabulary requirement of 2500 words, but the good news is, the type of the new words is not vastly different from HSK 4 words. It would feel like making a bit more effort based on what you have acquire from HSK 4.

  1. There are words convenient for your everyday use: (To burn the night), (Baby), (To quarrel)
  2. The list includes more three-character phrases: (Not likely), (Impatient), (Not important)

Click here to access the complete list.

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HSK 6 (5000 Words): Learning terms of specific fields

HSK 6, with its 5000 words, grants you the knowledge of more professional terms from specific fields, for example, medicine, finance, and others. If you aim to apply to a university or start your career in China, you should focus on acquiring the HSK 6 level vocabulary.

  1. Vocabulary becomes exquisitely specific, like the ones from medicine: (Cancer), (Massage), (Scar)
  2. There are terms commonly used in literary works as well: (Mystery), (Revenge), (To take care of oneself)
  3. You need to acquire four-character words that are related to Chinese history, fables, and culture as well: (Pull up a seedling in the mistaken hope of helping it to grow), (Have lived through many changes), (Extensive and profound)

Click here to access the complete list.

HSK 6 word lists
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HSK 7-9 (11000 Words): New HSK vocabulary list for advanced linguists

As you may have realized, the old HSK ends with level 6, but the new HSK has extended the level to 7 and 9. This most advanced level not just significantly increases the number of vocabulary words to 11000 words, but features a translation and speaking section as well. It seems like these levels are mostly designed for linguists and future translators and interpreters.

  1. More four-character words are included: (From house to house), (Half-believing and half-doubting), (All-encompassing)
  2. More words on professional fields: (AIDS), (Sleeping pill), (Semiconductor)
  3. Words that are less commonly used in daily life: (Important role), (Mural), (Barrier)

Click here to access the complete list.

HSK words level 7 - 9
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Acquire your HSK test vocabulary by studying with Migaku immersively

Sole reliance on textbooks is possible for beginner levels, but not for more advanced ones. Be it for reading, listening, or speaking, Migaku app can help you make full use of media resources to learn Chinese and generate Chinese subtitles even when the video does not feature any. For example, Migaku app can generate subtitles for this cut from The Double with the English translation. You can also click the words or sentences to add them to your flashcard collections and review them later. It is your best assistant for engaging with the media content.

  1. Switch on YouTube and search for Chinese videos with the app
  2. Click "Watch with Migaku", and the magic wand at the lower right corner to generate Chinese subtitles
  3. Click on the new words or sentences in each subtitle and generate flashcards!
Pass Chinese proficiency test with Migaku app
Learn Chinese with Migaku
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FAQs

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HSK word lists are your simple guide towards Chinese fluency

If you are new to language learning and your native tongue is from the Continental European languages, studying Chinese can be difficult, as it is a language different from your mother tongue in every way! On the other hand, the HSK vocabulary list gives you a clear goal for learning Hanzi. Believe me, after acquiring the 11000 words, you are reaching the level where you can engage with complex media with confidence! Eventually, say goodbye to textbooks and embrace the diverse media.

If you consume media in Chinese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. Period.

The story has just begun!