HSK 3 Vocabulary: The Full 973-Word List (with Pinyin)

沉浸 TeamAugust 13, 202627 min read

The HSK 3 vocabulary list adds 973 words under the current HSK 3.0 standard, bringing your cumulative total to 2,245. The full list is below with pinyin and meanings. HSK 3 marks the end of the beginner band: with these words you can handle most everyday situations and, more importantly, start reading real stories.

(Older sources say HSK 3 is 600 words; that's the 2010-era HSK 2.0 standard. The 2021 HSK 3.0 lists are the current reference, and how the levels fit together is covered in our HSK levels guide.)

The HSK 3 words that matter most

Level 3 vocabulary shifts from concrete to versatile: words for situations, decisions, and change that show up in every kind of text. These fifteen repay learning first:

HSK 3 is where reading takes over

At 2,000+ words, flashcards stop being your main tool. There are now enough combinations, near-synonyms, and grammar-dependent words (把, 被, 并且) that you need to see them working in sentences, not on cards. The efficient split at this level is roughly a third vocabulary study, two thirds reading and listening.

Read graded stories daily. Our HSK 3 reading practice guide collects free stories at exactly this level, including The Country of the Blind, a free 12-chapter graded novel written for the HSK 3 range.
Let the story teach the list. In Chenjin's reader, every word is tap-to-look-up, unknown words get flagged against your HSK vocabulary tracking, and one tap sends them to flashcards. The list fills itself in while you read.
Keep tones honest. New words only count if you can say them; a quick check in Tone Coach catches drifting tones before they fossilize.
Hand-write the characters that confuse you. The free practice sheet generator prints grid sheets with stroke order for any list you paste in.

The full HSK 3 word list

All 973 HSK 3.0 level 3 words, sorted by pinyin (exact totals shift by a few depending on how multi-use entries are counted). For any word's stroke order, examples, and audio, search the dictionary or open the level as an interactive grid on the vocabulary page.

A

爱心 (àixīn): compassion
按 (àn): to press
安排 (ānpái): to arrange
按照 (ànzhào): according to; in accordance with; on the basis of
安装 (ānzhuāng): to install

B

把 (bǎ): to hold; to grasp
白 (bái): white
白菜 (báicài): Chinese cabbage, esp. napa cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis)
搬 (bān): to move (i.e. relocate oneself)
板 (bǎn): board
班级 (bānjí): class (group of students)
搬家 (bānjiā): to move house; to relocate
办理 (bànlǐ): to handle; to transact; to conduct
保 (bǎo): to defend; to protect; to keep
报 (bào): to report; to inform; to announce
保安 (bǎo'ān): to ensure public security
保持 (bǎochí): to keep
保存 (bǎocún): to conserve; to preserve; to keep; to store; (computing) to save (a file etc)
报到 (bàodào): to report for duty
报道 (bàodào): to report (news)
报告 (bàogào): to inform
保护 (bǎohù): to protect
保留 (bǎoliú): to keep
保险 (bǎoxiǎn): insurance
保证 (bǎozhèng): guarantee
把握 (bǎwò): to grasp (also fig.)
背 (bēi): to carry on one's back
被 (bèi): quilt
北部 (běibù): northern part
背后 (bèihòu): behind
被子 (bèizi): blanket; quilt
本来 (běnlái): original
本领 (běnlǐng): skill
本事 (běnshi): ability
变化 (biànhuà): (intransitive) to change; to vary
变为 (biànwéi): to change into
表达 (biǎodá): to express; to convey
表格 (biǎogé): form; table
表面 (biǎomiàn): surface
表明 (biǎomíng): to make clear
标题 (biāotí): title
表现 (biǎoxiàn): to show
表演 (biǎoyǎn): play
标准 (biāozhǔn): standard; norm; criterion
比较 (bǐjiào): to compare
比例 (bǐlì): proportion
并 (bìng): and
并且 (bìngqiě): and; besides; moreover; furthermore; in addition
必然 (bìrán): inevitable
比赛 (bǐsài): competition (sports etc)
必要 (bìyào): necessary
播出 (bōchū): to broadcast
播放 (bōfàng): to broadcast; to transmit (by radio or TV)
补 (bǔ): to repair
布 (bù): cloth
步 (bù): a step
部 (bù): ministry
不安 (bù'ān): unpeaceful
不必 (bùbì): need not
补充 (bǔchōng): to replenish
不得不 (bùdébù): have no choice or option but to
不断 (bùduàn): unceasing
不光 (bùguāng): not the only one
不仅 (bùjǐn): not just; not limited to
不论 (bùlùn): whatever
部门 (bùmén): department
部长 (bùzhǎng): head of a (government etc) department

C

才能 (cáinéng): talent
采取 (cǎiqǔ): to adopt or carry out (measures, policies, course of action)
彩色 (cǎisè): color
采用 (cǎiyòng): to adopt
曾经 (céngjīng): once
厂 (chǎng): factory
长城 (Chángchéng): the Great Wall
长处 (chángchù): good aspects
场合 (chǎnghé): situation
长期 (chángqī): long-term; for a protracted period
场所 (chǎngsuǒ): location
产生 (chǎnshēng): to arise; to come into being; to come about
朝 (cháo): imperial or royal court
吵 (chǎo): to quarrel
超级 (chāojí): super-
吵架 (chǎojià): to quarrel
城 (chéng): city walls
程度 (chéngdù): degree; level; extent
成功 (chénggōng): to succeed
成果 (chéngguǒ): result
成就 (chéngjiù): accomplishment
成立 (chénglì): to establish
城市 (chéngshì): city; town
成熟 (chéngshú): mature; ripe
称为 (chēngwéi): to be called; to be known as; to call it "..."
成员 (chéngyuán): member
成长 (chéngzhǎng): to mature
衬衫 (chènshān): shirt
衬衣 (chènyī): shirt
持续 (chíxù): to continue
重 (chóng): to repeat
充满 (chōngmǎn): full of
初 (chū): (bound form) at first; initially
传 (chuán): to pass on
传播 (chuánbō): to disseminate; to propagate; to spread
创新 (chuàngxīn): to bring forth new ideas; to blaze new trails
创业 (chuàngyè): to begin an undertaking; to start an enterprise
创造 (chuàngzào): to create
创作 (chuàngzuò): to create; to produce; to write
传来 (chuánlái): (of a sound) to come through
传说 (chuánshuō): legend; folk tale
初步 (chūbù): initial
初级 (chūjí): junior
除了 (chúle): apart from; besides; in addition to (used to exclude, as in 除了他，誰也沒來|除了他，谁也没来 "apart from him, nobody came", or to include, as in 除了英語，他也會法語|除了英语，他也会法语 "in addition to English, he also knows French")
处理 (chǔlǐ): to handle; to deal with
初一 (chūyī): first year in junior middle school
初中 (chūzhōng): junior high school (abbr. for 初級中學|初级中学)
从来 (cónglái): always
从前 (cóngqián): previously
从事 (cóngshì): to go for
村 (cūn): village
存 (cún): to exist
存在 (cúnzài): to exist
错误 (cuòwù): mistaken; false; wrong

D

达到 (dádào): to reach; to achieve; to attain
大概 (dàgài): roughly
代 (dài): to be a substitute for; to act on behalf of; to replace; to substitute
代表 (dàibiǎo): representative
代表团 (dàibiǎotuán): delegation
带动 (dàidòng): to spur; to provide impetus; to drive
大夫 (dàifu): doctor; physician
带领 (dàilǐng): to guide
当初 (dāngchū): at that time
当地 (dāngdì): local
当然 (dāngrán): only natural
当中 (dāngzhōng): among
单元 (dānyuán): unit (forming an entity)
刀 (dāo): knife; blade; single-edged sword; cutlass (CL:把)
到达 (dàodá): to reach; to arrive
到底 (dàodǐ): finally
导演 (dǎoyǎn): to direct
打破 (dǎpò): to break; to smash
大使馆 (dàshǐguǎn): embassy
打听 (dǎting): to ask about
大约 (dàyuē): approximately
得分 (défēn): to score a point (in a competition, test etc)
等待 (děngdài): to wait; to wait for
电视剧 (diànshìjù): TV series
电视台 (diànshìtái): television station
电台 (diàntái): transmitter-receiver
电子邮件 (diànzǐ yóujiàn): email
调 (diào): to transfer
调查 (diàochá): investigation
订 (dìng): to agree
定期 (dìngqī): at set dates
地区 (dìqū): region; area (informal or geographical term)
底下 (dǐxia): the location below sth
东部 (dōngbù): the east
动力 (dònglì): motive power
动人 (dòngrén): touching
断 (duàn): to break
短处 (duǎnchù): shortcoming
短裤 (duǎnkù): short pants
短期 (duǎnqī): short-term
对待 (duìdài): to treat
对方 (duìfāng): the other person; the other side; the other party
对手 (duìshǒu): opponent
对象 (duìxiàng): target; object
队员 (duìyuán): team member
顿 (dùn): to stop
读者 (dúzhě): reader

F

发表 (fābiǎo): to issue
发出 (fāchū): to issue (an order, decree etc); to send out; to dispatch
发达 (fādá): well-developed; flourishing
发动 (fādòng): to start
发明 (fāmíng): to invent
反对 (fǎnduì): to oppose; to be against; to object to
反复 (fǎnfù): repeatedly
防 (fáng): to protect
放到 (fàngdào): Compositional phrase, not a single CC-CEDICT headword: 放 (to put) + 到 (to reach; to arrive)
房东 (fángdōng): landlord
方式 (fāngshì): way; method; manner; mode; pattern (of behavior etc)
访问 (fǎngwèn): to visit; to call on (a person or place)
房屋 (fángwū): house
防止 (fángzhǐ): to prevent
房租 (fángzū): rent for a room or house
范围 (fànwéi): range
反应 (fǎnyìng): to react
反正 (fǎnzhèng): anyway
发生 (fāshēng): to happen; to occur; to take place; to break out
发送 (fāsòng): to transmit
发言 (fāyán): to make a speech
发展 (fāzhǎn): development
费 (fèi): to cost
飞行 (fēixíng): (of planes etc) to fly
费用 (fèiyong): cost
分组 (fēn zǔ): to divide into groups
分别 (fēnbié): to part; to leave each other
丰富 (fēngfù): to enrich
风险 (fēngxiǎn): risk; hazard
分配 (fēnpèi): to distribute
否定 (fǒudìng): to negate
否认 (fǒurèn): to declare to be untrue
福 (fú): good fortune
付 (fù): to pay
富 (fù): rich
父母 (fùmǔ): father and mother; parents
父亲 (fùqīn): father
服务员 (fúwùyuán): waiter
复印 (fùyìn): to photocopy
复杂 (fùzá): complicated; complex
负责 (fùzé): to be responsible for; to be in charge of; to bear responsibility for
服装 (fúzhuāng): dress

G

改进 (gǎijìn): to improve; to make better
概念 (gàiniàn): concept
改造 (gǎizào): to transform
赶 (gǎn): to overtake; to catch up with
敢 (gǎn): to dare
赶到 (gǎndào): to hurry (to some place)
赶紧 (gǎnjǐn): hurriedly
赶快 (gǎnkuài): quickly; at once
干吗 (gànmá): variant of 幹嘛|干嘛
感冒 (gǎnmào): to catch cold
感情 (gǎnqíng): emotion; sentiment
感受 (gǎnshòu): to sense
告别 (gàobié): to leave; to part from
高速 (gāosù): high speed
高速公路 (gāosù gōnglù): expressway; highway; freeway
各 (gè): each
各地 (gèdì): in all parts of (a country)
歌迷 (gēmí): fan of a singer
根本 (gēnběn): fundamental
更加 (gèngjiā): more (than sth else)
个人 (gèrén): individual
歌声 (gēshēng): singing voice
歌手 (gēshǒu): singer
各位 (gèwèi): everybody
个性 (gèxìng): individuality
各种 (gèzhǒng): every kind of; all kinds of; various
各自 (gèzì): each
公布 (gōngbù): to announce; to make public; to publish
工厂 (gōngchǎng): factory
工程师 (gōngchéngshī): engineer
工夫 (gōngfu): period of time (may be months, or mere seconds)
功夫 (gōngfu): skill
公共 (gōnggòng): public; common; communal
工具 (gōngjù): tool
公开 (gōngkāi): open; overt; public
功课 (gōngkè): homework
公民 (gōngmín): citizen
功能 (gōngnéng): function; capability
共同 (gòngtóng): common
公务员 (gōngwùyuán): civil servant; public servant
工业 (gōngyè): industry
共有 (gòngyǒu): in total there are ...
工资 (gōngzī): wages; pay
古 (gǔ): ancient
挂 (guà): to hang; to suspend (from a hook etc)
管 (guǎn): to take care (of)
观察 (guānchá): to observe; to watch; to survey
光 (guāng): light; ray (CL:道)
广播 (guǎngbō): broadcast
广大 (guǎngdà): (of an area) vast or extensive
光明 (guāngmíng): light
观看 (guānkàn): to watch; to view
管理 (guǎnlǐ): to supervise
观念 (guānniàn): notion
关系 (guānxì): relation
观众 (guānzhòng): spectators; audience; visitors (to an exhibition etc)
关注 (guānzhù): to pay attention to; to follow sth closely; to follow (on social media)
古代 (gǔdài): ancient times
规定 (guīdìng): to stipulate; to specify; to prescribe; to fix (a price); to set (a quota)
规范 (guīfàn): norm
姑娘 (gūniang): girl
国内 (guó nèi): domestic
过程 (guòchéng): course of events; process
国庆 (guóqìng): National Day
过去 (guòqù): (in the) past; former; previous
果然 (guǒrán): really
果汁 (guǒzhī): fruit juice
故乡 (gùxiāng): home

H

哈哈 (hāhā): (onom.) laughing out loud
海关 (hǎiguān): customs (i.e. border crossing inspection)
害怕 (hàipà): to be afraid; to be scared
行 (háng): (bound form) row; line
好好 (hǎohǎo): well; carefully; nicely; properly
好奇 (hàoqí): inquisitive
合 (hé): to close
合法 (héfǎ): lawful
合格 (hégé): to meet the standard required
合理 (hélǐ): rational; reasonable; sensible; fair
和平 (hépíng): peace
合作 (hézuò): to cooperate; to collaborate; to work together
红茶 (hóngchá): black tea
红酒 (hóngjiǔ): red wine
后果 (hòuguǒ): consequences; aftermath
后面 (hòumiàn): the back; the rear; the last bit
后年 (hòunián): the year after next
化 (huà): to make into
划船 (huáchuán): to row a boat
话剧 (huàjù): stage play
环 (huán): ring
环保 (huánbǎo): environmental protection
环境 (huánjìng): environment
欢乐 (huānlè): gaiety
华人 (huárén): ethnic Chinese person or people
话题 (huàtí): subject (of a talk or conversation)
会议 (huìyì): meeting
会员 (huìyuán): member
互联网 (hùliánwǎng): Internet
活 (huó): to live
火 (huǒ): fire
互相 (hùxiāng): each other

J

极了 (jí le): extremely
架 (jià): to support
价格 (jiàgé): price
加工 (jiāgōng): to process
家具 (jiājù): furniture
加快 (jiākuài): to accelerate; to speed up; to hasten
建 (jiàn): to establish
建成 (jiànchéng): to establish
坚持 (jiānchí): to persevere with
简单 (jiǎndān): simple; not complicated
将近 (jiāngjìn): almost
将来 (jiānglái): in the future
坚决 (jiānjué): firm; resolute; determined
建立 (jiànlì): to establish
坚强 (jiānqiáng): staunch
建设 (jiànshè): to build; to construct; to establish; to develop; to institute
建议 (jiànyì): to propose; to suggest; to recommend
简直 (jiǎnzhí): simply; really
叫 (jiào): to shout
较 (jiào): (bound form) to compare
教材 (jiàocái): teaching material
交费 (jiāofèi): to pay a fee
交警 (jiāojǐng): traffic police (abbr. for 交通警察)
教练 (jiàoliàn): to coach; to train
交流 (jiāoliú): to exchange
交往 (jiāowǎng): to associate (with)
交易 (jiāoyì): to deal; to trade; to transact
价钱 (jiàqián): price
加强 (jiāqiáng): to reinforce; to strengthen; to enhance
家属 (jiāshǔ): family member
家乡 (jiāxiāng): hometown
价值 (jiàzhí): value; worth
基本 (jīběn): basic
基本上 (jīběnshàng): basically
基础 (jīchǔ): base; foundation; basis
接待 (jiēdài): to receive; to entertain; to host (guests, visitors or clients)
结合 (jiéhé): to combine
结婚 (jiéhūn): to marry; to get married
接近 (jiējìn): to approach; to get close to
解决 (jiějué): to solve; to resolve; to settle (a problem)
解开 (jiěkāi): to untie
结实 (jiēshi): rugged
结束 (jiéshù): termination
节约 (jiéyuē): to economize
积极 (jījí): active
积极性 (jījíxìng): zeal
记录 (jìlù): to record
纪录 (jìlù): variant of 記錄|记录 (but in Taiwan, not for the verb sense "to record")
金 (jīn): gold
仅 (jǐn): barely
紧 (jǐn): tight
进步 (jìnbù): progress; improvement
静 (jìng): still
精彩 (jīngcǎi): wonderful
警察 (jǐngchá): police; police officer
经济 (jīngjì): economy
京剧 (jīngjù): Beijing opera
经历 (jīnglì): to experience; to go through
景色 (jǐngsè): scenery; landscape; view
精神 (jīngshén): spirit
经验 (jīngyàn): experience
经营 (jīngyíng): to engage in (business etc); to run; to operate
纪念 (jìniàn): to commemorate; to honor the memory of
紧急 (jǐnjí): urgent
仅仅 (jǐnjǐn): barely
尽量 (jǐnliàng): as much as possible
金牌 (jīnpái): gold medal
近期 (jìnqī): near in time
进一步 (jìnyībù): to go a step further
进展 (jìnzhǎn): to make headway; to make progress
紧张 (jǐnzhāng): nervous
机器 (jīqì): machine
及时 (jíshí): timely; at the right time
技术 (jìshù): technology; technique; skill
计算 (jìsuàn): to calculate; to compute
集体 (jítǐ): collective (decision)
久 (jiǔ): (of a period of time) long
旧 (jiù): old
救 (jiù): to save
就是 (jiùshì): exactly; precisely
就业 (jiùyè): to get a job
继续 (jìxù): to continue; to proceed with; to go on with
记者 (jìzhě): reporter; journalist
集中 (jízhōng): to concentrate
举办 (jǔbàn): to conduct; to hold (an event)
剧场 (jùchǎng): theater
决定 (juédìng): to decide; to determine; to make up one's mind
绝对 (juéduì): absolute; unconditional
决赛 (juésài): finals (of a competition)
决心 (juéxīn): determination
据说 (jùshuō): it is said that; reportedly
具体 (jùtǐ): concrete; specific; detailed
具有 (jùyǒu): to have; to possess

K

咖啡 (kāfēi): (loanword) coffee
开发 (kāifā): to exploit (a resource); to open up (for development); to develop
开放 (kāifàng): to bloom
开始 (kāishǐ): to begin
开业 (kāiyè): to open a business
开展 (kāizhǎn): to launch
看起来 (kàn qǐlái): seemingly; apparently; looks as if; appears to be; gives the impression that; seems on the face of it to be
看上去 (kàn shàngqù): it would appear
考验 (kǎoyàn): to test
课程 (kèchéng): course; academic program
克服 (kèfú): (try to) overcome (hardships etc)
客观 (kèguān): objective
科技 (kējì): science and technology
可靠 (kěkào): reliable
可乐 (kělè): amusing
空 (kōng): empty
恐怕 (kǒngpà): fear
空儿 (kòngr): spare time
空调 (kōngtiáo): air conditioning
快速 (kuàisù): fast; high-speed; rapid
困 (kùn): to trap
困难 (kùnnan): difficult
裤子 (kùzi): trousers

L

浪费 (làngfèi): to waste
老百姓 (lǎobǎixìng): ordinary people
老板 (lǎobǎn): boss
老太太 (lǎotàitai): elderly lady (respectful)
老头儿 (lǎotóur): see 老頭子|老头子
乐 (lè): happy
乐观 (lèguān): optimistic; hopeful
类 (lèi): kind; type; class; category
类似 (lèisì): similar; analogous
力 (lì): power
连 (lián): to link
凉水 (liángshuǐ): cool water
联合 (liánhé): to combine
联合国 (Liánhéguó): United Nations
连忙 (liánmáng): promptly; at once
联系 (liánxì): connection
连续 (liánxù): continuous
连续剧 (liánxùjù): serialized drama
了 (liǎo): (completed action marker)
理发 (lǐfà): to get a haircut; to have one's hair done
离婚 (líhūn): to divorce
理解 (lǐjiě): to comprehend; to understand
立刻 (lìkè): immediately; at once; right away
力量 (lìliàng): power; force; strength
理论 (lǐlùn): theory
里面 (lǐmiàn): inside
领 (lǐng): neck
另一方面 (lìng yīfāngmiàn): on the other hand
领导 (lǐngdǎo): lead
另外 (lìngwài): additional
领先 (lǐngxiān): to lead
留学 (liúxué): to study abroad
利用 (lìyòng): to exploit
理由 (lǐyóu): reason
龙 (lóng): Chinese dragon; loong
录 (lù): to carve wood
乱 (luàn): in confusion or disorder
绿茶 (lǜchá): green tea
旅馆 (lǚguǎn): hotel
落后 (luòhòu): to fall behind
路线 (lùxiàn): itinerary
旅行社 (lǚxíngshè): travel agency
录音 (lùyīn): to record sound

M

马 (mǎ): horse
麻烦 (máfan): trouble; inconvenience
慢慢 (mànmàn): slowly; gradually
满足 (mǎnzú): to satisfy
毛 (máo): hair
毛病 (máobìng): fault
每 (měi): each
美 (měi): beautiful
美好 (měihǎo): beautiful
美丽 (měilì): beautiful
美食 (měishí): culinary delicacy
美术 (měishù): art
媒体 (méitǐ): media, esp. news media
没用 (méiyòng): useless
美元 (měiyuán): American dollar; US dollar
迷 (mí): to bewilder
米 (mǐ): uncooked rice
面对 (miànduì): to face; to confront
面积 (miànjī): area (of a floor, piece of land etc)
明确 (míngquè): clear-cut; definite; explicit
明显 (míngxiǎn): clear
命运 (mìngyùn): fate; destiny
民间 (mínjiān): among the people
民族 (mínzú): nationality; ethnic group
某 (mǒu): some
目标 (mùbiāo): target
目前 (mùqián): at the present time
母亲 (mǔqīn): mother
木头 (mùtou): wood; log (CL:塊|块,根)

N

奶茶 (nǎichá): milk tea
南部 (nánbù): southern part
难道 (nándào): don't tell me ...
难度 (nándù): degree of difficulty
男子 (nánzǐ): a man; a male
内 (nèi): inside
内容 (nèiróng): content; substance; details
内心 (nèixīn): heart; innermost being
能不能 (néng bu néng): Compositional phrase, not a single CC-CEDICT headword: 能 (can) + 不能 (cannot)
能力 (nénglì): capability
念 (niàn): to read
年初 (niánchū): beginning of the year
年代 (niándài): a decade of a century (e.g. the Sixties)
年底 (niándǐ): the end of the year
年纪 (niánjì): age
牛 (niú): ox
农村 (nóngcūn): rural area
农民 (nóngmín): peasant; farmer
农业 (nóngyè): agriculture
暖和 (nuǎnhuo): warm
女子 (nǚzǐ): woman

P

怕 (pà): to be afraid
拍 (pāi): to pat
排 (pái): to arrange in order; to line up
派 (pài): (literary) tributary; branch of a river
排名 (páimíng): to rank (1st, 2nd etc)
牌子 (páizi): sign
判断 (pànduàn): to judge; to determine; judgment
胖 (pàng): fat
跑步 (pǎobù): to run
配 (pèi): to join
配合 (pèihé): matching
皮 (pí): skin; peel; rind; outer layer
票价 (piàojià): ticket price; fare; admission fee
皮包 (píbāo): handbag
啤酒 (píjiǔ): beer (loanword)
苹果 (píngguǒ): apple
评价 (píngjià): to evaluate
批评 (pīpíng): to criticize; criticism
批准 (pīzhǔn): to approve; to ratify
破 (pò): broken
破坏 (pòhuài): destruction
普遍 (pǔbiàn): universal
普及 (pǔjí): to spread extensively

Q

期 (qī): a period of time
齐 (qí): neat
强 (qiáng): strong
强大 (qiángdà): big and strong; formidable; powerful
强调 (qiángdiào): to emphasize (a statement)
强烈 (qiángliè): strong; intense
前后 (qiánhòu): around
前进 (qiánjìn): to go forward
前面 (qiánmiàn): ahead
千万 (qiānwàn): ten million
前往 (qiánwǎng): to leave for; to proceed towards; to go to
桥 (qiáo): bridge
巧 (qiǎo): opportunely
其次 (qícì): next
奇怪 (qíguài): strange
气候 (qìhòu): (meteorology) climate
亲 (qīn): parent
情感 (qínggǎn): feeling
请教 (qǐngjiào): to ask for guidance
情况 (qíngkuàng): circumstances; state of affairs; situation
庆祝 (qìngzhù): to celebrate
亲切 (qīnqiè): amiable
亲人 (qīnrén): one's close relatives
亲自 (qīnzì): personally
其实 (qíshí): in fact; really
球迷 (qiúmí): fan (ball sports)
区 (qū): area
全场 (quánchǎng): everyone present
全面 (quánmiàn): all-around
全球 (quánqiú): the whole world
区别 (qūbié): difference
缺 (quē): deficiency
确保 (quèbǎo): to ensure; to guarantee
缺点 (quēdiǎn): weak point
确定 (quèdìng): definite
缺少 (quēshǎo): lack
确实 (quèshí): indeed
群 (qún): group
裙子 (qúnzi): skirt
去世 (qùshì): to pass away
取消 (qǔxiāo): to cancel; to call off; to revoke; to rescind

R

热爱 (rè'ài): to love ardently
热烈 (rèliè): enthusiastic
任 (rèn): to assign
人才 (réncái): talent
认出 (rènchū): recognition
认得 (rènde): to recognize
仍 (réng): still; yet
人工 (réngōng): artificial
仍然 (réngrán): still; as before; yet
任何 (rènhé): any; whatever; whichever
认可 (rènkě): to approve
人类 (rénlèi): humanity
人民 (rénmín): the people
人民币 (rénmínbì): Renminbi, the official currency of the PRC (currency codes: RMB or CNY)
人群 (rénqún): crowd
人生 (rénshēng): life (one's time on earth)
任务 (rènwu): mission; assignment; task; duty; role
人员 (rényuán): staff
日常 (rìcháng): day-to-day; daily; everyday
容易 (róngyì): easy; straightforward
如何 (rúhé): how

S

散步 (sànbù): to take a walk; to go for a walk
沙发 (shāfā): (loanword) sofa (CL:條|条,張|张)
伤 (shāng): to injure
上来 (shànglái): to come up
上面 (shàngmiàn): on top of
商品 (shāngpǐn): commodity; goods; merchandise
上去 (shàngqù): to go up
上升 (shàngshēng): to rise
伤心 (shāngxīn): to grieve
商业 (shāngyè): business
上衣 (shàngyī): jacket
沙子 (shāzi): sand
设备 (shèbèi): equipment; facilities; installations
社会 (shèhuì): society
设计 (shèjì): to design; to plan
设立 (shèlì): to set up; to establish
深 (shēn): (lit. and fig.) deep
身份证 (shēnfènzhèng): identity card
升 (shēng): to ascend; to rise
生 (shēng): to grow; to give birth; to produce; to be born
胜 (shèng): victory
生产 (shēngchǎn): to produce; to manufacture
生存 (shēngcún): to exist
生动 (shēngdòng): (of descriptions, writing etc) vivid; lively
胜利 (shènglì): victory
生命 (shēngmìng): life (as the characteristic of living beings)
声明 (shēngmíng): to state
生意 (shēngyi): business
生长 (shēngzhǎng): to grow
深刻 (shēnkè): profound
深入 (shēnrù): to penetrate deeply
时 (shí): o'clock
使 (shǐ): to make
室 (shì): room
市场 (shìchǎng): marketplace; market; bazaar
时代 (shídài): age
事故 (shìgù): accident
适合 (shìhé): to fit; to suit
世纪 (shìjì): century
事件 (shìjiàn): incident; event
世界 (shìjiè): world
世界杯 (shìjièbēi): World Cup
实际上 (shíjìshàng): in fact
时刻 (shíkè): time
实力 (shílì): strength
食品 (shípǐn): foodstuff; food; provisions
失去 (shīqù): to lose
事实 (shìshí): fact
事实上 (shìshíshang): in fact
试题 (shìtí): exam question
石头 (shítou): stone
实行 (shíxíng): to implement
实验 (shíyàn): experiment
试验 (shìyàn): experiment
实验室 (shíyànshì): laboratory
事业 (shìyè): undertaking
适应 (shìyìng): to adapt
适用 (shìyòng): to be applicable
石油 (shíyóu): oil
始终 (shǐzhōng): from beginning to end
受 (shòu): to receive
首都 (shǒudū): capital (city)
收费 (shōufèi): to charge a fee
收看 (shōukàn): to watch (a TV program)
受伤 (shòushāng): to sustain injuries
收听 (shōutīng): to listen to (a radio broadcast)
首先 (shǒuxiān): first of all; in the first place
手续 (shǒuxù): procedure
收音机 (shōuyīnjī): radio
手指 (shǒuzhǐ): finger
输 (shū): to lose; to be beaten
属 (shǔ): category
束 (shù): to bind
双 (shuāng): two
双方 (shuāngfāng): bilateral
书架 (shūjià): bookshelf
数量 (shùliàng): amount; quantity
熟人 (shúrén): acquaintance
输入 (shūrù): to import
属于 (shǔyú): to belong to; to fall under (a category)
死 (sǐ): to die
思想 (sīxiǎng): thought
速度 (sùdù): speed; rate; velocity; (music) tempo
随 (suí): to follow
所 (suǒ): place
所长 (suǒzhǎng): director; head of an institute, office or station

T

台 (tái): (classical) you (in letters)
谈 (tán): to speak
汤 (tāng): soup
糖 (táng): sugar
谈话 (tánhuà): to talk (with sb)
谈判 (tánpàn): to negotiate
特色 (tèsè): a characteristic; a distinctive feature or quality
甜 (tián): sweet
天空 (tiānkōng): sky
跳 (tiào): to jump
跳高 (tiàogāo): (athletics) high jump
跳舞 (tiàowǔ): to dance
跳远 (tiàoyuǎn): long jump (athletics)
调整 (tiáozhěng): to adjust
铁 (tiě): iron (metal)
铁路 (tiělù): railroad
体会 (tǐhuì): to know from experience
题目 (tímù): subject; title; topic
听力 (tīnglì): hearing
停止 (tíngzhǐ): to stop; to halt; to cease
听众 (tīngzhòng): audience
提前 (tíqián): to shift to an earlier date
提问 (tíwèn): to question; to quiz; to grill
体现 (tǐxiàn): to embody
体验 (tǐyàn): to experience for oneself
痛 (tòng): ache
通常 (tōngcháng): regular; usual; normal
痛苦 (tòngkǔ): pain
通信 (tōngxìn): to correspond (by letter, email etc)
同意 (tóngyì): to agree
头 (tóu): head
头脑 (tóunǎo): brains
图 (tú): diagram
土 (tǔ): earth
团 (tuán): round
团结 (tuánjié): to unite
团体 (tuántǐ): group
突出 (tūchū): prominent
图画 (túhuà): drawing
退 (tuì): to retreat; to withdraw
退出 (tuìchū): to withdraw
推动 (tuīdòng): to push (e.g. for acceptance of a plan); to promote; to give impetus to
推广 (tuīguǎng): to extend
推进 (tuījìn): to impel
推开 (tuīkāi): to push open (a gate etc)
退休 (tuìxiū): to retire (from the workforce); to go into retirement
突然 (tūrán): sudden; abrupt; unexpected

W

外交 (wàijiāo): diplomacy
外面 (wàimiàn): outside (also pr. for this sense)
外文 (wàiwén): foreign language (written)
往往 (wǎngwǎng): usually
玩具 (wánjù): plaything
完美 (wánměi): perfect
完善 (wánshàn): (of systems, facilities etc) comprehensive
完整 (wánzhěng): complete
为 (wéi): as (in the capacity of)
围 (wéi): to encircle
伟大 (wěidà): huge; great; grand; worthy of the greatest admiration; important (contribution etc)
危害 (wēihài): to harm; to jeopardize; to endanger
为了 (wèile): for; for the purpose of; in order to
卫生 (wèishēng): hygienic; sanitary
卫生间 (wèishēngjiān): bathroom
危险 (wēixiǎn): danger
文化 (wénhuà): culture
文件 (wénjiàn): document
文明 (wénmíng): civilized
温暖 (wēnnuǎn): warm
文学 (wénxué): literature
文章 (wénzhāng): article
文字 (wénzì): character
握手 (wòshǒu): to shake hands
武器 (wǔqì): weapon
武术 (wǔshù): military skill or technique (in former times)
舞台 (wǔtái): (lit. and fig.) stage; arena
屋子 (wūzi): house

X

系 (xì): to tie
下来 (xiàlái): to come down
下面 (xiàmiàn): below
线 (xiàn): thread
现场 (xiànchǎng): the scene (of a crime, accident etc)
现代 (xiàndài): modern times
现代化 (xiàndàihuà): modernization
显得 (xiǎnde): to seem
香 (xiāng): fragrant
相比 (xiāngbǐ): to compare
相当 (xiāngdāng): equivalent to
相关 (xiāngguān): related
相互 (xiānghù): each other
香蕉 (xiāngjiāo): banana
相似 (xiāngsì): similar; alike
先进 (xiānjìn): sophisticated; advanced (technology etc)
现金 (xiànjīn): cash
显然 (xiǎnrán): clearly; evidently; obviously
显示 (xiǎnshì): to show
现实 (xiànshí): reality; actuality
现象 (xiànxiàng): phenomenon
消费 (xiāofèi): to consume (goods and services, resources etc)
效果 (xiàoguǒ): result
消失 (xiāoshī): to disappear; to fade away
消息 (xiāoxi): (piece of) news; information
下去 (xiàqù): to go down
西部 (xībù): western part
血 (xiě): blood
写作 (xiězuò): to write
心 (xīn): heart
信 (xìn): letter
信封 (xìnfēng): envelope
性 (xìng): nature
性别 (xìngbié): sex; gender
形成 (xíngchéng): to form; to take shape
幸福 (xìngfú): happiness
性格 (xìnggé): nature
行李 (xíngli): luggage
形式 (xíngshì): outer appearance
形象 (xíngxiàng): image
幸运 (xìngyùn): fortunate; lucky
形状 (xíngzhuàng): form; shape
信任 (xìnrèn): to trust
修 (xiū): to decorate
修改 (xiūgǎi): to amend
希望 (xīwàng): to hope
宣布 (xuānbù): to declare
宣传 (xuānchuán): to disseminate
选手 (xuǎnshǒu): athlete
学费 (xuéfèi): tuition fee
训练 (xùnliàn): to train
需求 (xūqiú): requirement
需要 (xūyào): to need; to want; to demand; to require

Y

压 (yā): to press
压力 (yālì): pressure
烟 (yān): cigarette or pipe tobacco
演 (yǎn): to perform (a play etc); to stage (a show)
演唱 (yǎnchàng): to sing (for an audience)
演唱会 (yǎnchànghuì): vocal recital or concert
演出 (yǎnchū): to act (in a play)
羊 (yáng): sheep; goat
阳光 (yángguāng): sunshine
眼前 (yǎnqián): before one's eyes
演员 (yǎnyuán): actor; actress; performer
要是 (yàoshi): (coll.) if
已 (yǐ): already
一方面 (yīfāngmiàn): on the one hand
衣架 (yījià): clothes hanger
以来 (yǐlái): since (used after a specified time or event)
银 (yín): silver
因此 (yīncǐ): thus; consequently; as a result
赢 (yíng): to beat
应当 (yīngdāng): should; ought to
迎接 (yíngjiē): to welcome; to greet
影视 (yǐngshì): movies and television
营养 (yíngyǎng): nutrition
应用 (yìngyòng): to put to use; to apply
银牌 (yínpái): silver medal
印象 (yìnxiàng): impression (sth that stays in one's mind)
一切 (yīqiè): everything
艺术 (yìshù): art
意外 (yìwài): unexpected
意义 (yìyì): sense
由 (yóu): to follow
游 (yóu): to swim
有的是 (yǒudeshì): have plenty of
优点 (yōudiǎn): merit
邮件 (yóujiàn): mail
有利 (yǒulì): advantageous; favorable
邮票 (yóupiào): (postage) stamp
优势 (yōushì): superiority
游戏 (yóuxì): game (CL:場|场)
邮箱 (yóuxiāng): mailbox
有效 (yǒuxiào): effective
游泳 (yóuyǒng): swimming
由于 (yóuyú): due to
员 (yuán): (bound form) person engaged in a certain field of activity
员工 (yuángōng): staff; personnel; employee
愿望 (yuànwàng): desire
预报 (yùbào): forecast
约 (yuē): to make an appointment
乐队 (yuèduì): band
预防 (yùfáng): to prevent
预计 (yùjì): to forecast
运输 (yùnshū): to transport
预习 (yùxí): to prepare a lesson

Z

造 (zào): to make
造成 (zàochéng): to bring about; to create; to cause
早已 (zǎoyǐ): for a long time; long since
杂志 (zázhì): magazine
增加 (zēngjiā): to raise; to increase
增长 (zēngzhǎng): to grow; to increase
责任 (zérèn): responsibility; duty; liability
张 (zhāng): to open up
展开 (zhǎnkāi): to unfold; to spread out; to open up
照 (zhào): according to
者 (zhě): (after a verb or adjective) one who (is) ...
争 (zhēng): to strive for
整 (zhěng): (bound form) whole; complete; entire; (before a measure word) whole; (before or after number + measure word) exactly
正 (zhèng): straight
证 (zhèng): to admonish
整个 (zhěnggè): whole
证件 (zhèngjiàn): certificate; papers; credentials; document; ID
证据 (zhèngjù): evidence
整理 (zhěnglǐ): to arrange
证明 (zhèngmíng): proof
整齐 (zhěngqí): orderly
争取 (zhēngqǔ): to fight for
正式 (zhèngshì): formal; official
整体 (zhěngtǐ): whole; entirety
整天 (zhěngtiān): all day long
整整 (zhěngzhěng): whole
真实 (zhēnshí): true; real
支 (zhī): to support
只 (zhī): grain that has begun to ripen
直 (zhí): straight
值 (zhí): value
指 (zhǐ): finger
直播 (zhíbō): (TV, radio) to broadcast live
支持 (zhīchí): to be in favor of
指出 (zhǐchū): to indicate
直到 (zhídào): until
指导 (zhǐdǎo): to guide; to direct; to instruct
值得 (zhídé): worth the money
制定 (zhìdìng): to draw up; to formulate
制度 (zhìdù): system (e.g. political, adminstrative etc)
支付 (zhīfù): to pay (money)
职工 (zhígōng): employee; staff member; worker
只好 (zhǐhǎo): to have no other option but to ...; to have to; to be forced to
至今 (zhìjīn): so far
至少 (zhìshǎo): at least
只是 (zhǐshì): merely; only; just; nothing but
职业 (zhíyè): occupation; profession; vocation
只有 (zhǐyǒu): only have ...; there is only ...
志愿 (zhìyuàn): aspiration
志愿者 (zhìyuànzhě): volunteer
制造 (zhìzào): to manufacture; to make
制作 (zhìzuò): to make; to manufacture
钟 (zhōng): handleless cup; goblet
种 (zhǒng): seed
中部 (zhōngbù): middle part; central section; central region
重大 (zhòngdà): great
中华民族 (Zhōnghuá Mínzú): the Chinese nation
终于 (zhōngyú): at last
种子 (zhǒngzi): seed
周围 (zhōuwéi): environs; surroundings; periphery
猪 (zhū): hog
祝 (zhù): to pray for
抓 (zhuā): to grab
转 (zhuǎn): to turn
转变 (zhuǎnbiàn): to change
状况 (zhuàngkuàng): condition; state; situation
状态 (zhuàngtài): condition; state; state of affairs
专家 (zhuānjiā): expert; specialist
专门 (zhuānmén): specialized; dedicated (to a particular field or purpose)
专题 (zhuāntí): specific topic (addressed by a book, lecture, TV program etc)
专业 (zhuānyè): specialty
抓住 (zhuāzhù): to grab hold of; to capture
主持 (zhǔchí): to take charge of
主动 (zhǔdòng): to take the initiative
追 (zhuī): to chase
准 (zhǔn): to allow
主任 (zhǔrèn): director
主意 (zhǔyi): plan
注意 (zhùyì): to take note of; to pay attention to
主张 (zhǔzhāng): to advocate
自从 (zìcóng): since (a time)
自动 (zìdòng): automatic
资格 (zīgé): qualifications
资金 (zījīn): funds; capital
自觉 (zìjué): to realize; to be aware of; to feel that; to be conscious of (sth relating to oneself)
子女 (zǐnǚ): children; sons and daughters
自然 (zìrán): nature
自身 (zìshēn): itself
自主 (zìzhǔ): to act independently; to be autonomous; to be in control of one's own affairs
总 (zǒng): (bound form) general; overall
总结 (zǒngjié): to sum up
总是 (zǒngshì): always
足够 (zúgòu): enough; sufficient
组合 (zǔhé): to assemble; to combine; to compose
做客 (zuòkè): to be a guest or visitor
作品 (zuòpǐn): work (of art)
左右 (zuǒyòu): left and right
作者 (zuòzhě): author; writer
足球 (zúqiú): soccer; football

Frequently asked questions

How many words do I need for HSK 3?

973 new words at level 3, 2,245 cumulative under HSK 3.0. The old HSK 2.0 test used 600 cumulative words at level 3.

Is HSK 3 intermediate?

It's the top of the beginner band. HSK 3.0 groups levels 1-3 as elementary and 4-6 as intermediate. In CEFR terms, HSK 3 lands somewhere around A2: capable in daily life, not yet conversational on abstract topics.

How long does HSK 3 take?

Reaching HSK 3 from zero within a year is a common, realistic outcome with daily study. Coming from HSK 2, budget three to four months for the level itself. The full timeline math is in how long does it take to learn Chinese.

Want the level to fill itself in while you read? Create a free Chenjin account: read HSK 3 stories with tap-to-lookup, track the list on the vocabulary grid, and review new words with built-in flashcards.

HSK 3 Vocabulary: The Full 973-Word List (with Pinyin)

The HSK 3 words that matter most

HSK 3 is where reading takes over

The full HSK 3 word list

A

B

C

D

F

G

H

J

K

L

M

N

P

Q

R

S

T

W

X

Y

Z

Frequently asked questions

How many words do I need for HSK 3?

Is HSK 3 intermediate?

How long does HSK 3 take?

Keep learning

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