HSK Level 1 Character List
Foundation vocabulary: essential words for complete beginners. This list follows the HSK 3.0 standard, and each entry includes pinyin pronunciation and English meaning. Click any word to see its full detail page.
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one, a, an
on, above, up
under, underneath, below
no, not, un-
measure word, individual, piece
central, center, middle
suffix, what
to finish, particle of completed action
two, twice
man, people, mankind
other, another, he
plural marker
can, know how to, will
make, work, compose
you, second person pronoun
go out, send out, stand
go away, leave, depart
behind, after, later
and, with, harmony
nation, country, nation-state
be at, in, on
much, many, more than
big, great, vast
offspring, child, fruit
learning, knowledge, school
house, home, residence
correct, right, facing
year, age, harvest
I, me, we
time, season, era
is, are, to be
have, own, possess
come, coming, return
life, living, lifetime
possessive, adjectival suffix
to be able, can, permitted to
speak, say, talk
this, the, here
that, that one, those
inside, within, among
three
east, eastern, eastward
little, few, rather
what
son, child
first, former, previous
close, shut, concern
divide, part, minute
in front, forward, preceding
ten, tenth, complete
same, similar, together with
name, rank, title
return, turn around, a time
sky, heaven, god
she, her
good, excellent, fine
small, tiny, insignificant
labor, work, worker
open, initiate, begin
very, quite, much
think, speculate, plan
bright, light, brilliant
moon, month
root, origin, source
desk, machine, moment
fruit, result
shape, form, pattern
water, liquid, lotion
not, have not, none
dot, speck, spot
appear, manifest, become visible
look, see, examine
old, aged, experienced
western, westward, west
see, observe, behold
speech, talk, language
rise, stand up, go up
all, both, entirely
face, surface, plane
high, tall, lofty
nine
book, letter, document
five
now, today, modern era
reside, live at, dwell
wait, expect, visit
work, make, act
eight
again, twice, re-
write, draw, sketch
small table
north, northern, northward
cry, shout, hail
question particle
hear, understand, obey
question particle
commerce, business, trade
four
very, too, much
woman, girl, feminine
letter, character, word
few, less, inadequate
teacher, master, specialist
shadow, image, reflection
what, why, how
strike, hit, beat
clothes, wear, dress
period of time, date, time limit
steam, vapor
love, be fond of, like
electricity, electric, lightning
system, line, link
look at, inspect, observe
to wake up from sleep, conscious
recognize, know, understand
recognize, understand, know
ask, request, invite
cart, vehicle, carry in cart
courtyard, yard, court
fly, go quickly, dart
seven
also
practice, study, review
buy, purchase, bribe
introduce, between, boundary
from, by, since
rest, stop
body
falsehood, deception, vacation
first, dollar, origin
number six
thrive, prosper, flourish
cold, cool, lonely
clean, pure, cleanse
approve, allow, permit
separate, other
go to, arrive, been to
move, happen
wrap, pack, bundle
cure, heal, doctor
noon, 7th terrestrial branch
half
friend, companion, fraternity
mouth, open end, entrance
right
mark, sign, symbol
eat, drink, suffer
suggestion particle
tell, announce, inform
elder brother
where, who
left
hand
a square, rectangle, a region
friend, pal, acquaintance
to compare, liken
cow, ox, bull
use, employ, apply
white
clothes, clothing, cover
body
rain, rainy
not, negative, non-
page, sheet, leaf
horse
sing, chant, call
like, love, enjoy
drink, shout, call out
diagram, chart, map
earth, ground, soil
open space, field, market
rotten, spoilt, bad
sit, seat, ride
piece, lump, dollar
prepare, ready, perfect
out, outside, external
milk
mother, mama
younger sister
elder sister, young lady
baby, child
guest, traveller, customer
just, simply
mountain, hill, peak
year, age, harvest
to differ, different, wrong
help, assist
common, normal, frequent
do, work, manage
bed, couch
shop, store, inn
young brother
forget, neglect, miss
busy, pressed for time
rapid, quick, speedy
rest, put stop to, end
you
slow, leisurely, sluggish
house, building
search, seek, look for
take, hold, grasp
put, release, free
teach, class
literature, culture, writing
new, recent, fresh
side
sun
early
a star, planet, any point of light
yesterday, in former times, past
night, evening
most, extremely, exceedingly
clause, condition
cup, glass
tree, plant, set up
school, military field officer
table, desk, stand
building of two or more stories
order, sequence
happy, pleased, glad
song, lyrics
right, proper, correct
hair, fur, feathers
Chinese people, Chinese language
steam, vapor, gas
wash, rinse
thirsty, parched, yearn
fire, flame
hot, heat, fever
father, grandfather
father, papa
play with, joke, enjoy
class, group, grade
ball, sphere, globe
male, man
illness, sickness, disease
one hundred
real, actual, true
aspect particle, to wear
sleep, doze
know, perceive, comprehend
slip of paper or bamboo
wear, put on, pass through
stand up
smile, laugh, giggle
sequence, number
wait, and so on, equal
answer, reply, return
uncooked rice
tired
introduce, continue, carry on
give
net, network
examine, test
flesh
two, both, pair
affair, matter, business
capital city
south, southern part, southward
obtain, get, gain
brain
flower, blossoms
tea
vegetables, dish, order
eggs
go, walk, move
necessary, essential
record, keep in mind, remember
tell, inform, accuse
test, try, experiment
language, words, saying
read, study, pronounce
lesson
who, whom, whose
thank, decline
expensive, costly, valuable
walk, go on foot
run, flee, leave in hurry
heel, to follow, accompany
road, path, street
edge, margin, side
pass, pass through, go across
still, yet, also
advance, make progress, enter
distant, remote, far
to give, to send, to see off
path, road, street
heavy, weighty, double
money, currency, coins
error, blunder, mistake
gate, door, entrance
ask about, inquire after
midpoint, space
difficult, arduous, hard
zero
wind, air, manners
cooked rice, food, meal
hungry, greedy for, hunger
public building
chicken
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