HSK 1: Vocabulary, Exam Format and How to Prepare

What HSK 1 means

At HSK 1 you can understand and use very simple words and phrases about familiar, concrete topics — yourself, your family, numbers, dates and times, food and shopping — when people speak slowly and clearly. It is the entry level of the elementary band (levels 1–3).

The level is bigger than it used to be: the 2025 exam syllabus lists 300 words for HSK 1, compared with 150 in HSK 2.0. That makes the certificate more meaningful, but it is still well within reach in your first few months of study.

• Greet people, introduce yourself and say where you are from
• Talk about your family, age, nationality and job in simple sentences
• Use numbers for prices, phone numbers, dates and times
• Ask simple questions with 吗 and 呢 and with question words such as 什么, 谁 and 哪儿
• Recognise common characters in short, simple sentences

HSK 1 exam format

HSK 1 has two sections, listening and reading, with about 40 questions in total and a testing time of about 40 minutes in total (including instructions). There is no writing or speaking section at this level.

In the HSK 2.0 papers, lower-level questions printed pinyin above the characters. Look at the official HSK 3.0 sample paper to see exactly how the new paper presents text before you start mock tests.

Based on published summaries of the 2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus. Question types and timings may be adjusted — check the official sample paper on chinesetest.cn.

HSK 1 vocabulary: 300 words

The HSK 1 list covers pronouns, numbers and measure words, basic verbs such as 吃 (eat), 去 (go) and 买 (buy), time words, family members, food and drink, and polite expressions. Syllabus summaries put the number of characters to recognise at roughly 250.

Learn the words in topic groups and in short phrases rather than as an alphabetical list — for example 一杯茶 (a cup of tea) instead of 茶 on its own. Below is a sample of high-frequency words taken from the HSK 1 list. Pinyin is given in its dictionary form; tone changes such as those of 不 and 一 are explained in our pinyin and tones guide.

Grammar and topics to know

HSK 1 grammar is about building short, correct sentences. Typical topics are greetings, personal information, family, numbers and money, dates and times, food and drink, shopping, school and work, and the weather.

• Sentences with 是: 我是学生。(I am a student.)
• Adjectives as predicates, usually with 很: 我很好。(I'm fine.)
• Yes/no questions with 吗 and questions with question words: 你是哪国人？
• Negation with 不 and 没(有)
• Numbers with measure words: 一个人, 三本书
• Possession with 的: 我的朋友 (my friend)
• Location with 在: 我在家。(I'm at home.)
• Time words before the verb: 我明天去学校。
• Wishes and abilities with 想, 要, 会 and 能
• Basic 了 for completed actions: 我买了一本书。

How long it takes: a sample study plan

Starting from zero, many adult learners need roughly 60–100 hours of study for HSK 1, including lessons, review and practice — about three to four months at five to six hours a week. Here is how those weeks can be organised.

These are typical estimates for adult learners, not official figures. Your pace depends on your time, your first language and how much you practise.

Exam tips for HSK 1

HSK 1 rewards accurate basics. Most lost points come from numbers, times and similar-sounding words, not from difficult grammar.

• Drill numbers, prices, dates and clock times until you understand them instantly.
• Learn words with pictures — many questions are picture-based.
• Practise telling apart similar sounds and tones, such as 四 sì (four) and 十 shí (ten).
• In listening, use the first hearing for the general idea and any repeat to confirm details.
• Answer every question: leaving a blank can only cost you points.
• Take at least two full mock tests under timed conditions before the exam.

Prepare for HSK 1 with CNLingo

In live 1-on-1 online lessons, a CNLingo teacher takes you from pinyin and tones to the full HSK 1 range, corrects your pronunciation as you speak and checks your progress with exam-style practice. In the CNLingo app you can review the HSK 1 vocabulary with spaced repetition, get AI tone scores for every syllable you say and take original HSK 1 mock exams.