HSK Vocabulary Lists (1–9) with Pinyin and Audio
Free HSK word lists for every level — hanzi, pinyin, meanings and native audio. Search, listen, and download.
Every HSK level compared
New words per level and running totals under both standards, next to the size of the list on this site.
Why the word counts disagree
HSK 2.0, published in 2009, is the six-level standard behind almost every textbook and exam paper in use today. HSK 3.0 — the Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards of 2021 — keeps the level numbers, roughly doubles the vocabulary at each one, and adds a combined 7–9 band for advanced learners. Both are live, which is why one site tells you HSK 3 is 300 words and the next says 973. Levels 1–6 here follow the 2.0 lists that courses actually teach; HSK 7–9 exists only under 3.0.
Which level should you start with?
HSK 1 and 2 cover survival Chinese — greetings, numbers, family, buying things. HSK 3 is the first level that reads like real language and is where most self-taught learners stall. HSK 4 is the usual target for university applications, HSK 5–6 for academic and professional use, and 7–9 for near-native fluency. If you are unsure, open the level you think you know and search a few words: if more than a handful are new, start one level lower.
Every list is also a pronunciation drill
Each level page breaks the list down by tone: which tone dominates, the most common two-syllable tone pairs, and how many words hide a third-tone sandhi or a 一 / 不 tone change. Tap any word to hear it, or filter the table to a single tone pattern and drill it.
Are these HSK word lists free?
Yes. Every level is on one page, with no account, no paywall and no download gate. CSV, Anki and print exports are free too.
How many words are there in HSK in total?
Under HSK 2.0, HSK 1–6 is about 5,000 words. Under HSK 3.0 the six levels come to 5,456 and the 7–9 band adds 5,636 more, for 11,092 in total.
Are the lists HSK 2.0 or HSK 3.0?
Levels 1–6 follow the HSK 2.0 lists that courses and exam papers still use. HSK 7–9 only exists under HSK 3.0. Each level page shows both standards side by side.
Do the lists include audio?
Yes — tap the speaker on any row to hear the word. For feedback on your own pronunciation, the TonePerfect app scores your tones, initials and finals as you speak.
Train, don't just read
Practice your pronunciation in the app
A guide can explain the tones, but you can't fix your pronunciation by reading. The TonePerfect app lets you actually say the words and scores every syllable — initial, final, and tone — in real time, so you hear your mistakes and correct them on the spot.
- Instant AI feedback on every syllable
- Practice any word, sentence, or HSK list
- Hands-on tone training you can't get from reading
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