HSK 1
Beginner

HSK 1: 150 Words & Complete Guide

HSK 1 certifies that you can understand and use very simple Chinese phrases, meet basic needs for communication, and lay a foundation for further Chinese learning.

150
Vocabulary
174
Characters
60–120
Study hours
Start HSK 1 Practice

What You Can Do at HSK 1

Introduce yourself and others
Ask and answer simple personal questions
Understand familiar daily expressions
Read and write basic Chinese characters

HSK 1 Exam Format

HSK 1 has two sections: Listening (20 questions, 15 min) and Reading (20 questions, 17 min). Total test time is 40 minutes. No writing section at this level.

Sample HSK 1 Vocabulary

A preview of common words at this level. The full list of 150 words is available inside our flashcard deck.

HanziPinyinMeaning
你好nǐ hǎohello
谢谢xiè xiethank you
学生xué shēngstudent
中国Zhōng guóChina
朋友péng youfriend
shuǐwater

Who HSK 1 Is For

Complete beginners after 1 semester of Chinese study or roughly 60 hours of self-study.

Study Tips

  • Master pinyin and tones before tackling characters
  • Drill the 150 words with spaced repetition daily
  • Watch children's shows with Chinese subtitles for listening exposure