HSK Levels Explained: HSK 1 to 9 + CEFR Equivalents

Here we discuss the nine levels of the new HSK 3.0 in detail. For details on the exam itself, see our HSK 3.0 exam guide.

How many words does each level require?

Each level’s total includes the levels below it, from 300 words and 246 characters at HSK 1 to 11,000 words and 3,088 characters for HSK 7–9. [2]

HSK 7, 8 and 9 share one exam, and your score decides which of the three levels you reach. [4]

What are these three HSK stages?

Chinese Testing International (CTI), which administers the HSK, groups the nine levels into three stages. These are HSK stages, not CEFR levels. [1] [3]

• Elementary (HSK 1–3): simple communication in daily life at HSK 1, rising to effective communication in daily life, and then finally study and work at HSK 3. [3]
• Intermediate (HSK 4–6): complete and coherent communication at HSK 4, accurate and appropriate at HSK 5, and rich and fluent at HSK 6, in broader work, study and professional settings. [3]
• Advanced (HSK 7–9): Chinese for workplace, professional and academic use. The exam adds chart-based writing, argument and translation. [3] [4]

Can you convert HSK 3.0 levels to CEFR levels?

Not exactly. While HSK 2.0 provided an official mapping to CEFR levels, the official HSK 3.0 syllabus does not provide any such relationship. [2] [3] [5] However, based on the general HSK 3.0 descriptions, the following would be roughly similar: [3]

How long does it take to reach proficiency at each level?

It will take a long time! Chinese is one of the hardest human languages to learn, especially if you are coming from a Latin-based native language. And, the new Chinese HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 are extremely advanced. Mastery of HSK 6 alone would probably be considered fluency. That said, for a very hard-working student, here are our best estimates:

Treat it as a lifetime endeavor, and it won't feel so long 😉.