I. Introduction to HSK1 vocabulary

For absolute beginners learning Chinese, vocabulary is the foundation that determines how fast you can understand, communicate, and progress to higher levels. Among all Chinese proficiency tests, HSK Level 1 (HSK1) is designed specifically for learners who are just starting out and have basic knowledge of pinyin and pronunciation.

Introduction to HSK1 vocabulary
Introduction to HSK1 vocabulary

According to the official structure published by Chinesetest.cn, HSK1 focuses on daily-life communication and contains exactly 150 essential Chinese words that beginners are expected to master. These words cover basic pronouns, numbers, verbs, question words, and common expressions used in simple conversations.

II. HSK1 vocabulary list with pinyin and meaning

Learning HSK 1 vocabulary is easier when you know exactly what to focus on. This official list covers all 150 essential words used in basic Chinese communication, helping beginners build a clear foundation and study with confidence.

HSK1 vocabulary list with pinyin and meaning
HSK1 vocabulary list with pinyin and meaning
No Chinese Pinyin Meaning
1 I / me
2 you
3 he / him
4 she / her
5 我们 wǒmen we / us
6 你们 nǐmen you (plural)
7 他们 tāmen they / them
8 zhè this
9 that
10 which
11 哪儿 nǎr where
12 shéi who
13 什么 shénme what
14 怎么 zěnme how
15 多少 duōshao how many / how much
16 how many (small number)
17 one
18 èr two
19 sān three
20 four
21 five
22 liù six
23 seven
24 eight
25 jiǔ nine
26 shí ten
27 líng zero
28 今天 jīntiān today
29 明天 míngtiān tomorrow
30 昨天 zuótiān yesterday
31 上午 shàngwǔ morning
32 下午 xiàwǔ afternoon
33 现在 xiànzài now
34 diǎn o’clock
35 fēn minute
36 suì years old
37 shì to be
38 yǒu to have
39 zài to be at
40 lái to come
41 to go
42 huí to return
43 chī to eat
44 to drink
45 kàn to look / watch
46 tīng to listen
47 shuō to speak
48 to read
49 xiě to write
50 学习 xuéxí to study
51 工作 gōngzuò to work
52 zhù to live
53 mǎi to buy
54 kāi to open
55 zuò to sit
56 rén person
57 jiā home / family
58 学生 xuésheng student
59 老师 lǎoshī teacher
60 学校 xuéxiào school
61 中国 Zhōngguó China
62 商店 shāngdiàn shop
63 医院 yīyuàn hospital
64 饭店 fàndiàn restaurant
65 shuǐ water
66 chá tea
67 fàn rice / meal
68 qián money
69 shū book
70 电视 diànshì television
71 电脑 diànnǎo computer
72 big
73 xiǎo small
74 duō many
75 shǎo few
76 hǎo good
77 hot
78 lěng cold
79 高兴 gāoxìng happy
80 漂亮 piàoliang beautiful
81 máng busy
82 hěn very
83 tài too / very
84 not
85 méi not (past)
86 ma question particle
87 ne question particle
88 de possessive particle
89 le completed action
90 and
91 zài again
92 dōu all
93 shàng up / above
94 xià down / below
95 qián before / front
96 hòu after / behind
97 inside
98 这儿 zhèr here
99 那儿 nàr there
100 general measure word
101 běn measure word (books)
102 kuài piece / currency unit
103 bēi cup
104 jiàn item (clothes)
105 míng person (formal)
106 jiàn to see
107 再见 zàijiàn goodbye
108 qǐng please
109 谢谢 xièxie thank you
110 不客气 bú kèqi you’re welcome
111 对不起 duìbuqǐ sorry
112 没关系 méi guānxi it’s okay
113 tiān day
114 yuè month
115 nián year
116 shí time
117 huì can / be able to
118 xiǎng want / think
119 喜欢 xǐhuan like
120 ài love
121 gěi give
122 zhǎo look for
123 知道 zhīdào know
124 认识 rènshi know / recognize
125 名字 míngzi name
126 朋友 péngyou friend
127 lǎo old
128 xīn new
129 zǎo early
130 wǎn late
131 duì correct
132 cuò wrong
133 yuǎn far
134 jìn near
135 zuǒ left
136 yòu right
137 zhōng middle
138 wài outside
139 dōng east
140 西 west
141 nán south
142 běi north
143 前面 qiánmiàn in front
144 后面 hòumiàn behind
145 里面 lǐmiàn inside
146 外面 wàimiàn outside
147 开始 kāishǐ start
148 结束 jiéshù finish
149 一起 yìqǐ together
150 已经 yǐjīng already

If you prefer to study offline or want a more structured way to review vocabulary, you can download the complete HSK 1 vocabulary PDF, which includes all 150 official words in a clean, easy-to-use format.

For a deeper understanding of how adverbs function in beginner Chinese sentences, you can also explore: 100+ Chinese Adverbs to Level Up Your Mandarin

III. How to study HSK1 vocabulary efficiently

Learning all 150 HSK1 vocabulary words does not require complicated methods, but it does require the right learning approach, especially for beginners who are still getting used to tones, pinyin, and Chinese sentence structure. When vocabulary study is combined with listening, speaking, and real usage, progress becomes much faster and more sustainable.

  • Use flashcards the smart way: Flashcards work best when they include Chinese characters, pinyin, meaning, and audio. Digital flashcards with spaced repetition help reinforce memory and prevent forgetting. This method is especially effective when paired with a structured Chinese beginner roadmap.
How to study HSK1 vocabulary efficiently
How to study HSK1 vocabulary efficiently
  • Practice active recall instead of passive review: Rather than repeatedly reading word lists, actively test yourself by recalling meanings or pinyin before checking the answer. This strengthens long-term memory and prepares you better for real exam conditions, similar to the strategies used when learning Chinese fast and effectively.
  • Connect HSK1 vocabulary to daily life situations: Words become easier to remember when they are linked to real-life contexts such as introducing yourself, ordering food, or asking simple questions. Watching short scenes from Chinese movies or dramas can also help you recognize how basic vocabulary is used naturally in conversations, as shown in Chinese movies.
  • Learn vocabulary in context, not in isolation: Memorizing Chinese characters one by one can be overwhelming if you do not understand how they work together in sentences. Studying simple sentence patterns alongside vocabulary helps learners grasp meaning faster and improves character recognition.
How to study HSK1 vocabulary efficiently
How to study HSK1 vocabulary efficiently
  • Practice listening and speaking from the beginning: Even at the HSK1 level, listening and speaking should not be delayed. Repeating words aloud and mimicking Chinese pronunciation helps you avoid tone mistakes early on and builds confidence in basic communication.

Mastering the HSK 1 vocabulary is the first important step for anyone starting to learn Chinese. If you want to continue learning Chinese in a clear and structured way, explore the beginner-friendly resources and guided lessons available at Gurulango, where you can develop your vocabulary, listening, speaking, and overall Mandarin skills step by step.