HSK 1-6 vocabulary lookup. 25 high-frequency representative words per level (150 total) — covering the core of Chinese proficiency exam preparation.
HSK Vocabulary Lookup (HSK 词汇表)
How to use
Browse by level
Click HSK 1-6 buttons — see 25 representative words per level instantly.
Search by word
Enter Chinese, pinyin, or English — find a word's HSK level across all 6 tiers.
Self-assess difficulty
See which level a word belongs to — calibrate your current proficiency.
Plan your study
Climb through levels sequentially — HSK 1-3 for beginners, HSK 4-6 for advanced.
HSK: The International Chinese Proficiency Standard
HSK (Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì, 汉语水平考试) is the Chinese government\'s internationally standardised Mandarin proficiency exam, administered by what was Hanban (now the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation, CLEC). HSK is the universally recognised non-native Chinese certification, widely accepted by universities, employers, and immigration authorities.
The six-level structure
HSK is graded across six levels: HSK 1 (150 words, basic survival), HSK 2 (300 words, everyday topics), HSK 3 (600 words, basic conversation), HSK 4 (1,200 words, intermediate reading), HSK 5 (2,500 words, local-context study), HSK 6 (5,000+ words, professional reading, writing, research). HSK 6 is the recognised "near-native" benchmark, though it still falls short of an educated native speaker.
HSK in Singapore and Malaysia
SG/MY Chinese education runs parallel local curricula (Singapore O-Level Chinese, Malaysian SPM Chinese) that don\'t map cleanly onto HSK levels. Many Chinese-heritage families use HSK as a supplementary credential: HSK 5+ is required for Chinese-language university admission in mainland China, and HSK 4-5 is common for corporate posting to Greater China. A revised HSK 2.0 expanded the framework to 9 levels in 2021, but the legacy 6-level version remains the international standard.
The 150 words in this tool (25 per level) form an entry point for HSK preparation — useful for self-assessment and study planning. Complete word lists are downloadable from the CLEC official site.
10 Facts about HSK
HSK was developed in 1992 by Beijing Language and Culture University. The current 6-level system was introduced in 2010. HSK 2.0 (9-level version) launched in 2021.
HSK 1 requires just 150 words. A native English speaker studying 30 min/day typically passes in 2-3 months. HSK 6 requires 800-1,500 hours of study.
HSK runs ~12 sittings annually, both paper-based and computer-based, in 130+ countries across 800+ test centres.
HSK 4 is the common admission threshold for Chinese-taught undergraduate programs in PRC universities. HSK 5 is required for business programs, HSK 6 for humanities/social sciences postgrad.
Notably, HSK 6 still doesn't match an educated native speaker — natives have 8,000-15,000 active vocabulary. This is why HSK 2.0 expanded to 9 levels in 2021.
HSK is tied to Chinese degrees, visas, and scholarships. Many Chinese government scholarships require HSK 5+. Work visa (Z visa) applications often require HSK certification too.
HSK vocabulary coverage: The HSK 5 word list covers ~90% of daily Chinese newspapers; HSK 6 covers 95%+. This is the practical value of climbing the ladder.
Besides HSK, TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language, issued by Taiwan's MoE) is the alternative internationally-recognised Chinese certification — using traditional characters.
HSK emphasises input (listening, reading) over output (speaking, writing). A test-taker who passes HSK 5 may still speak only at HSK 3-4 level. This is a common critique that HSK 2.0 attempts to address.
Pairs with RT-CHN-031 (Chengyu Dictionary) and RT-CHN-033 (Character Frequency) — the three pillars of systematic Chinese learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No — the tool curates 25 high-frequency words per level (150 total) for quick assessment and orientation. Full lists (HSK 1: 150 words, HSK 6: 5,000+) are downloadable free from CLEC.
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HSK 4 is the entry threshold for Chinese-taught undergraduate programs. HSK 5 is required for business programs. HSK 6 is required for humanities/social sciences postgrad. STEM/medicine often require HSK 5+.
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HSK uses simplified characters only (PRC standard). For traditional, take TOCFL (Taiwan's Ministry of Education).
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Depends on current level. Complete beginner → HSK 1. Can read simple menus and metro signs → HSK 2-3. Can scan news headlines → HSK 4. Can read novels → HSK 5-6. Use the browse mode to self-assess.
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They don't map directly. Singapore O-Level Chinese emphasises written expression and cultural understanding and builds from primary school. HSK targets adult non-native learners. Rough equivalence: O-Level Standard ≈ HSK 4-5.
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Fees scale with level. HSK 1: ~$20 USD. HSK 6: ~$80-100 USD. Online HSK (launched 2020) is slightly cheaper. Test centres in Singapore/Malaysia may charge regional rates.
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Yes. HSK 2.0 (2021) expanded the framework to 9 levels, adding HSK 7-9 (collectively "Advanced"). HSK 9 is the new "near-native" benchmark — 8,000-9,000 words covering literature, philosophy, and specialised fields. The legacy 6-level system remains internationally standard through 2024.
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2 years. The paper certificate issued by CLEC is valid for university admission and visa applications within 2 years. Retake required afterward.
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Yes. HSK is ethnicity-agnostic — it only measures proficiency. Many Singaporean and Malaysian Chinese (especially English-stream students) take HSK to formally certify their Mandarin. Heritage learners often have strong listening/speaking but weaker reading/writing — HSK can identify this "unbalanced native speaker" profile.
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Public word lists: based on the Hanban/CLEC official HSK 1-6 vocabulary outlines. 25 high-frequency representatives per level. Tool is educational reference only, not official HSK study material.
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