If you're just starting your Mandarin Chinese journey, the HSK 1 word list is your first major milestone. HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) is the official Chinese proficiency test, and Level 1 is where every beginner begins. Designed for learners with about 3–6 months of study (~150 hours), HSK 1 tests your ability to understand and use simple Chinese words and sentences. The best part: you only need to master 150 words to pass.
What's on the HSK 1 Word List?
These 150 words cover everyday essentials—greetings, numbers, family, food, time, and basic actions. Here's a breakdown by category.
👤 Pronouns
| 汉字 | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 我 | wǒ | I, me |
| 你 | nǐ | you |
| 他 / 她 | tā | he / she |
| 我们 | wǒmen | we |
| 这 | zhè | this |
| 那 | nà | that |
| 谁 | shéi | who |
| 什么 | shénme | what |
| 哪 | nǎ | which |
🔢 Numbers & Measure Words
| 汉字 | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 零 | líng | 0 |
| 一 | yī | 1 |
| 二 | èr | 2 |
| 三 | sān | 3 |
| 四 | sì | 4 |
| 五 | wǔ | 5 |
| 六 | liù | 6 |
| 七 | qī | 7 |
| 八 | bā | 8 |
| 九 | jiǔ | 9 |
| 十 | shí | 10 |
| 个 | gè | generic measure word |
| 岁 | suì | years (age) |
| 块 | kuài | unit of money |
🏠 Nouns: People, Places & Things
Family
| 汉字 | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 爸爸 | bàba | father |
| 妈妈 | māma | mother |
| 儿子 | érzi | son |
| 女儿 | nǚ'ér | daughter |
People
| 汉字 | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 老师 | lǎoshī | teacher |
| 学生 | xuésheng | student |
| 朋友 | péngyou | friend |
| 医生 | yīshēng | doctor |
Places
| 汉字 | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 学校 | xuéxiào | school |
| 医院 | yīyuàn | hospital |
| 商店 | shāngdiàn | store |
| 饭店 | fàndiàn | restaurant |
Food
| 汉字 | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 米饭 | mǐfàn | rice |
| 水果 | shuǐguǒ | fruit |
| 苹果 | píngguǒ | apple |
| 茶 | chá | tea |
| 水 | shuǐ | water |
Common Things
| 汉字 | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 电脑 | diànnǎo | computer |
| 电视 | diànshì | TV |
| 飞机 | fēijī | airplane |
| 出租车 | chūzūchē | taxi |
⚡ Key Verbs
| 汉字 | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 吃 | chī | eat |
| 喝 | hē | drink |
| 看 | kàn | look, watch |
| 听 | tīng | listen |
| 去 | qù | go |
| 来 | lái | come |
| 回 | huí | return |
| 坐 | zuò | sit |
| 是 | shì | to be |
| 有 | yǒu | to have |
| 想 | xiǎng | want, think |
| 喜欢 | xǐhuan | like |
| 说话 | shuōhuà | speak |
| 读 | dú | read |
| 写 | xiě | write |
| 谢谢 | xièxie | thank you |
| 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | sorry |
| 再见 | zàijiàn | goodbye |
🎨 Adjectives & Adverbs
| 汉字 | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 好 | hǎo | good |
| 大 | dà | big |
| 小 | xiǎo | small |
| 多 | duō | many |
| 少 | shǎo | few |
| 冷 | lěng | cold |
| 热 | rè | hot |
| 高兴 | gāoxìng | happy |
| 漂亮 | piàoliang | beautiful |
| 很 | hěn | very |
| 太 | tài | too |
| 都 | dōu | all |
| 不 / 没 | bù / méi | negation (not) |
3 Tips to Master the HSK 1 Word List
1. Learn pinyin first. Each word comes with pinyin (the romanized pronunciation). Master it early—it's your pronunciation anchor.
2. Practice in context. Knowing the word alone isn't enough. Learn simple sentences like 我爱喝茶 (Wǒ ài hē chá) — I love drinking tea. The HSK 1 test is about real communication!
3. Use spaced repetition. Flashcards and apps help you review words at the right time so you don't forget them. Blim's HSK 1 flashcards help you learn these exact 150 words with audio.
Grammar Basics You'll Also Need
The HSK 1 test expects you to use these 150 words in simple sentences. Key grammar points:
- Subject–Verb–Object: 我爱你 (Wǒ ài nǐ) — I love you
- Negation: 我不是老师 (Wǒ bú shì lǎoshī) — I'm not a teacher
- Questions with 吗: 你好吗？(Nǐ hǎo ma?) — How are you?
- Possession with 的: 我的书 (Wǒ de shū) — My book
Ready to Start?
The HSK 1 word list is your first step toward Mandarin fluency. With just 150 words, you'll be able to introduce yourself, order food, ask basic questions, and navigate everyday situations. Learn consistently, practice daily, and you'll pass HSK 1 in no time. 加油！(Jiāyóu! — Keep going!)