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Download the complete HSK 3.0 vocabulary list below. For printable PDFs and individual levels, open HSK 3.0 downloads.
All 11,000 words
The complete HSK 3.0 vocabulary, levels 1–9. PDFs are available separately by level.
CSVFor spreadsheetsAnki import (.txt)For Anki flashcardsJSONFor your own toolsWhat does the HSK measure?
The HSK tests how learners use Chinese in daily life, study and work. Chinese Testing International’s official HSK 3.0 ability descriptions describe a progression from simple everyday communication at level 1 to precise, in-depth communication in professional and academic situations at level 9.
An HSK level is an exam target, not a complete description of your Chinese. Use the official tasks and sample papers to decide what you need to practice. If a university, scholarship or employer asks for an HSK result, confirm the level, exam version and certificate requirements with that institution.
How do the nine HSK levels work?
HSK 3.0 has nine levels tested in seven exams: separate exams for HSK 1–6, then one combined exam for HSK 7–9. Your result on the advanced exam determines which advanced level you reach. The 2025 syllabus also groups the advanced vocabulary into one list.
The official ability descriptions define level 2 as basic communication in daily life, study and work, and level 3 as effective communication in those situations. At higher levels, the descriptions add more complex workplace, academic and professional use.
HSK 2.0, HSK 3.0 and the 2021 standard: which materials apply?
For the new exam, use materials based on the 2025 exam syllabus. Some earlier “HSK 3.0” lists use the 2021 proficiency standard instead, so the name alone does not tell you which words a resource contains.
| Document | What it covers | Vocabulary total |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 2.0 syllabus | The older six-level exam | 5,000 words through level 6 |
| 2021 proficiency standard | The broader nine-level language proficiency framework | 11,092 words |
| 2025 exam syllabus | The new HSK 3.0 exam; the source for our lists | 11,000 entries |
The lower-level requirements differ too: the 2021 proficiency standard lists 2,245 words through level 3, while the 2025 exam syllabus lists 1,000. These counts describe different documents, not missing words in the downloads.
Before you switch study materials, confirm which exam version your test center will use for your sitting. The Confucius Institute Barcelona’s transition notice says its October 17 and November 7, 2026 exams still use HSK 2.0, with HSK 3.0 beginning on December 13. Check your own center’s instructions rather than assuming every available exam already uses the new syllabus.
HSK vocabulary: new entries and cumulative totals
The 2025 syllabus assigns new entries to each level band. The cumulative total includes that band and everything below it:
| Level band | New entries | Cumulative total | Vocabulary list |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSK 1 | 300 | 300 | Level 1 words |
| HSK 2 | 200 | 500 | Level 2 words |
| HSK 3 | 500 | 1,000 | Level 3 words |
| HSK 4 | 1,000 | 2,000 | Level 4 words |
| HSK 5 | 1,600 | 3,600 | Level 5 words |
| HSK 6 | 1,800 | 5,400 | Level 6 words |
| HSK 7–9 | 5,600 | 11,000 | Combined advanced list |
HSK 7–9 is one combined band in the syllabus. We keep that structure rather than dividing its words into three unofficial lists.
Where can you find official exam materials?
Chinese Testing International’s syllabus page links the official HSK 3.0 syllabus, sample papers, answers, listening audio and an exam demo. Use those materials to check question types and timing for the level you plan to take.
Our download guide explains the official materials alongside our vocabulary exports. The exam guide covers registration and the published rules, including where information is specific to a pilot or a particular test center.
How should you start studying for the HSK?
Start by confirming your exam version and choosing a level. Review its cumulative vocabulary, use the sample paper to identify unfamiliar tasks, and practice those tasks alongside the words. The vocabulary study guide helps you turn the list into a daily routine.
For the early levels, the level-2 and level-3 guides explain their requirements in detail. The comparison between those levels shows how the grammar, writing and speaking tasks change; it is separate from the comparison between exam versions.
- How to learn HSK vocabularyBuild a routine for learning new words and reviewing the ones you already know.
- HSK level 2 study guidePrepare for the vocabulary and exam tasks of level 2 within HSK 3.0.
- HSK level 3 study guideUnderstand level 3’s vocabulary, writing and speaking requirements.
- HSK level 2 vs level 3See the step between the two levels through grammar and exam examples.
How can Second Language help?
We make Second Language, a free language-learning game. Its Mandarin course teaches some beginner HSK vocabulary in sentences with audio; it does not cover a complete HSK level. The ★ in our vocabulary lists marks the words it teaches.