Free Chinese Textbooks and Course Books (PDF)
By Mei Lin
These are the long books: full courses in one PDF, from a 188-page beginner textbook to a course book for each HSK level. They cover speaking from day one, grammar and characters, and the new HSK from HSK 1 to 6, with packs that put each level's skill books together.
Complete beginners can start with the beginner textbook or the 60-day speaking course. By the end of an HSK course book you know every new word of that level, and each one has an answer key. Print the lesson you're on, and keep the PDF for the rest.
16 textbooks. Free.
Best first book
Free Mandarin Textbook for Beginners: The SayMei Practice Book
Seven beginner workbooks in one 188-page PDF, with pinyin and English on every line: speak, order food, ask the way and get around.
Textbooks & course books (16)
Start from zero
Long PDFs for complete beginners.
Free Mandarin Textbook for Beginners: The SayMei Practice Book
Total beginner to beginner · 188 pages
Spoken Mandarin in 60 Days: The Complete Speaking Course
Total beginner to beginner · 166 pages
HSK course books
12 lessons a level, with a word list and an answer key.
HSK 1 Course Book: 12 Lessons for the New HSK 1
HSK 1 (HSK 3.0) · 109 pages
HSK 2 Course Book: 12 Lessons for the New HSK 2
HSK 2 (HSK 3.0) · 107 pages
HSK 3 Course Book: 12 Lessons for the New HSK 3
HSK 3 (HSK 3.0) · 116 pages
HSK 4 Course Book: 12 Lessons for the New HSK 4
HSK 4 (HSK 3.0) · 125 pages
HSK 5 Course Book: 12 Lessons for the New HSK 5
HSK 5 (HSK 3.0) · 130 pages
HSK 6 Course Book: 12 Lessons for the New HSK 6
HSK 6 (HSK 3.0) · 135 pages
Complete HSK packs
Each level's reading, vocabulary and writing books and a mock test in one PDF.
Complete HSK 1 Workbook Pack: Reading, Vocabulary, Writing & Mock Test
HSK 1 (HSK 3.0) · 127 pages
Complete HSK 2 Workbook Pack: Reading, Vocabulary, Writing & Mock Test
HSK 2 (HSK 3.0) · 175 pages
Complete HSK 3 Workbook Pack: Reading, Vocabulary, Writing & Mock Test
HSK 3 (HSK 3.0) · 187 pages
Complete HSK 4 Workbook Pack: Reading, Vocabulary, Writing & Mock Test
HSK 4 (HSK 3.0) · 184 pages
Complete HSK 5 Workbook Pack: Reading, Vocabulary, Writing & Mock Test
HSK 5 (HSK 3.0) · 145 pages
Complete HSK 6 Workbook Pack: Reading, Vocabulary, Writing & Mock Test
HSK 6 (HSK 3.0) · 149 pages
Grammar and characters
Several workbooks in one PDF.
The SayMei Chinese Grammar Practice Book
Beginner to pre-intermediate · 196 pages
The SayMei Chinese Characters Practice Book
Beginner · 165 pages
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free Chinese textbook PDF for beginners?
Yes. Free Mandarin Textbook for Beginners: The SayMei Practice Book is 188 pages, with seven beginner workbooks and pinyin and English on every line. Spoken Mandarin in 60 Days is a 166-page speaking course from your first words.
Is there a free HSK textbook?
Yes, one for each level. The HSK course books teach HSK 1 to 6 in 12 lessons each, with a word list of the level's new words and an answer key, on the new HSK 3.0 syllabus.
What is in a complete HSK pack?
A level's reading practice, vocabulary and writing books and a full mock test with audio, in one PDF. Packs run from 127 pages at HSK 1 to 187 pages at HSK 3.
Related tools and guides
Other collections
By level: Total beginner · HSK 1 · HSK 2 · HSK 3 · HSK 4 · HSK 5–6 · For kids
By goal: Grammar · Characters & writing · Pronunciation & tones · Reading · Speaking PDFs · Speak & conversation · Travel & daily life · HSK exam prep · School & other exams · Business Chinese · Listening · Traditional Chinese · Preschool & toddlers · Immersion parents · Festivals & culture
By exam: AP® Chinese · GCSE Chinese · IB Chinese · TOCFL · IGCSE Chinese · SQA Mandarin · A level & Leaving Cert · Singapore O Level & Chinese B · HSC Chinese · VCE & Year 12 Chinese · NCEA Chinese · AAPPL, STAMP & OPI · US school, college & job tests · YCT & CCCC for kids
By format: HSK mock tests · HSK speaking tests · Teacher guides · Textbooks & course books · Flashcards · Cheat sheets & charts