# HSK 3 Handwriting Characters: 150 with Stroke Order (Free PDF)

The 150 characters HSK 3 adds to the HSK 3.0 handwriting list, each with stroke order, pinyin and meaning. Free printable PDF, A4 or US Letter.

Source: https://www.saymei.app/tools/chinese-worksheet-generator/hsk-3-handwriting-characters

The 150 characters HSK 3 asks you to write by hand on the 2025 HSK syllabus (HSK 3.0), 250 in all with the levels below. Each gets its stroke order, a row of boxes that builds it one stroke at a time, empty boxes to write it from memory and a pinyin line.

## At a glance

- Characters: 150 to write · 250 in all by HSK 3
- Format: PDF · 8 sheets of up to 20 · 70 pages on A4 / 74 on US Letter
- Practice: Stroke order · boxes that add one stroke at a time · empty 田字格 (tián zì gé) boxes · a pinyin line
- List: HSK 3.0 handwriting list (2025 syllabus) · a QR code on every sheet for online practice
- Price: Free · no sign-up · updated Oct 27, 2026

## Download

- [A4](https://www.saymei.app/resources/downloads/hsk-3-handwriting-characters-a4.pdf): 70 pages
- [US Letter](https://www.saymei.app/resources/downloads/hsk-3-handwriting-characters-letter.pdf): 74 pages

## All 150 HSK 3 characters to write

HSK 3's characters take from 2 to 12 strokes, 7.1 on average. The fewest: 力 (lì, strength) and 又 (yòu, again). The most: 答 (dá, to answer) and 渴 (kě, thirsty). 56 of the 150 are written differently in traditional Chinese, and 20 have a second reading in the official word list. They are listed below in the syllabus's own order, which is roughly alphabetical by pinyin.

| # | Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Traditional | Example words |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 安 | ān | safe; calm; peaceful | 6 | 安 | 安全 ānquán (safe; safety); 安静 ānjìng (quiet) |
| 2 | 把 | bǎ | to hold; (object marker); handle | 7 | 把 | 把握 bǎwò (to grasp; confidence) |
| 3 | 般 | bān | kind; sort; like (as in 一般) | 10 | 般 | 一般 yìbān (usually; ordinary) |
| 4 | 板 | bǎn | board; plank | 8 | 板 | 黑板 hēibǎn (blackboard); 老板 lǎobǎn (boss) |
| 5 | 办 | bàn | to do; to handle | 4 | 辦 | 办法 bànfǎ (way; method); 办公室 bàngōngshì (office) |
| 6 | 饱 | bǎo | full (after eating) | 8 | 飽 |  |
| 7 | 报 | bào | newspaper; to report | 7 | 報 | 报纸 bàozhǐ (newspaper); 报名 bàomíng (to sign up) |
| 8 | 北 | běi | north | 5 | 北 | 东北 dōngběi (northeast); 西北 xīběi (northwest) |
| 9 | 被 | bèi | by (passive marker); quilt | 10 | 被 | 被子 bèizi (quilt; duvet) |
| 10 | 必 | bì | must; certainly | 5 | 必 | 必须 bìxū (must); 不必 búbì (need not) |
| 11 | 变 | biàn | to change; to become | 8 | 變 | 变化 biànhuà (change; to change); 变成 biànchéng (to become; to turn into) |
| 12 | 冰 | bīng | ice | 6 | 冰 | 冰箱 bīngxiāng (refrigerator); 冰激凌 bīngjīlíng (ice cream) |
| 13 | 才 | cái | only then; just; talent | 3 | 才 | 刚才 gāngcái (a moment ago); 人才 réncái (talented person; talent) |
| 14 | 参 | cān | to take part; to join | 8 | 參 | 参加 cānjiā (to take part in); 参观 cānguān (to visit (a place)) |
| 15 | 草 | cǎo | grass | 9 | 草 | 草地 cǎodì (lawn; grassland) |
| 16 | 层 | céng | floor (of a building); layer | 7 | 層 |  |
| 17 | 查 | chá | to check; to look up | 9 | 查 | 检查 jiǎnchá (to check; to examine); 调查 diàochá (to investigate; survey) |
| 18 | 差 | chà | poor; to fall short; to lack | 9 | 差 | 差不多 chàbuduō (almost; about the same); 出差 chūchāi (to go on a business trip) |
| 19 | 成 | chéng | to become; to succeed | 6 | 成 | 完成 wánchéng (to finish; to complete); 变成 biànchéng (to become; to turn into) |
| 20 | 城 | chéng | city; town; city wall | 9 | 城 | 城市 chéngshì (city); 城区 chéngqū (urban area) |
| 21 | 除 | chú | to remove; except | 9 | 除 | 除了 chúle (except; besides); 删除 shānchú (to delete) |
| 22 | 处 | chù | place; office | 5 | 處 | 到处 dàochù (everywhere); 处理 chǔlǐ (to deal with; to handle) |
| 23 | 春 | chūn | spring (season) | 9 | 春 | 春天 chūntiān (spring) |
| 24 | 答 | dá | to answer | 12 | 答 | 回答 huídá (to answer); 答应 dāying (to agree; to promise) |
| 25 | 带 | dài | to bring; to take; belt | 9 | 帶 | 带动 dàidòng (to drive; to spur on); 领带 lǐngdài (necktie) |
| 26 | 单 | dān | single; list; bill | 8 | 單 | 简单 jiǎndān (simple); 名单 míngdān (list (of names)) |
| 27 | 当 | dāng | to serve as; when; at | 6 | 當 | 当然 dāngrán (of course); 适当 shìdàng (appropriate) |
| 28 | 灯 | dēng | lamp; light | 6 | 燈 | 红绿灯 hóng-lǜdēng (traffic light); 灯光 dēngguāng (light; lighting) |
| 29 | 典 | diǎn | standard work; classic (as in 词典) | 8 | 典 | 词典 cídiǎn (dictionary); 字典 zìdiǎn (dictionary (of characters)) |
| 30 | 调 | tiáo | to adjust; to mix (as in 空调) | 10 | 調 | 空调 kōngtiáo (air conditioner); 调查 diàochá (to investigate; survey) |
| 31 | 定 | dìng | to decide; to fix; settled | 8 | 定 | 决定 juédìng (to decide; decision); 一定 yídìng (surely; definitely) |
| 32 | 丢 | diū | to lose; to throw | 6 | 丟 | 丢失 diūshī (to lose) |
| 33 | 冬 | dōng | winter | 5 | 冬 | 冬天 dōngtiān (winter) |
| 34 | 段 | duàn | section; paragraph | 9 | 段 | 阶段 jiēduàn (stage; phase); 手段 shǒuduàn (means; method) |
| 35 | 而 | ér | and; but; yet | 6 | 而 | 而且 érqiě (and also; moreover); 然而 rán'ér (however) |
| 36 | 耳 | ěr | ear | 6 | 耳 | 耳朵 ěrduo (ear); 耳机 ěrjī (earphones) |
| 37 | 发 | fā | to send; to issue; to grow | 5 | 發 | 发展 fāzhǎn (to develop; development); 发现 fāxiàn (to discover; to find) |
| 38 | 法 | fǎ | law; method; way | 8 | 法 | 方法 fāngfǎ (method; way); 办法 bànfǎ (way; method) |
| 39 | 方 | fāng | square; direction; side | 4 | 方 | 地方 dìfang (place); 方法 fāngfǎ (method; way) |
| 40 | 放 | fàng | to put; to release; to let go | 8 | 放 | 放心 fàngxīn (to feel relieved; don't worry); 放假 fàngjià (to have a holiday) |
| 41 | 风 | fēng | wind | 4 | 風 | 风景 fēngjǐng (scenery); 风险 fēngxiǎn (risk) |
| 42 | 复 | fù | again; to return; complex | 9 | 復 | 复习 fùxí (to review); 复杂 fùzá (complicated) |
| 43 | 该 | gāi | should; ought to | 8 | 該 | 应该 yīnggāi (should) |
| 44 | 干 | gàn | to do; to work | 3 | 幹 | 干净 gānjìng (clean); 干活儿 gànhuór (to work; to do a job) |
| 45 | 刚 | gāng | just; only a moment ago | 6 | 剛 | 刚才 gāngcái (a moment ago); 刚刚 gānggāng (just now) |
| 46 | 更 | gèng | more; even more | 7 | 更 | 更加 gèngjiā (even more); 更新 gēngxīn (to update) |
| 47 | 共 | gòng | together; common; in total | 6 | 共 | 一共 yígòng (in total); 共同 gòngtóng (common; together) |
| 48 | 故 | gù | reason; cause; former | 9 | 故 | 故事 gùshi (story); 故意 gùyì (on purpose) |
| 49 | 瓜 | guā | melon; gourd | 5 | 瓜 | 西瓜 xīguā (watermelon); 黄瓜 huángguā (cucumber) |
| 50 | 海 | hǎi | sea; ocean | 10 | 海 | 海洋 hǎiyáng (ocean); 海外 hǎiwài (overseas) |
| 51 | 合 | hé | to close; to join; to suit | 6 | 合 | 合适 héshì (suitable; right); 符合 fúhé (to fit; to match) |
| 52 | 河 | hé | river | 8 | 河 | 河流 héliú (river) |
| 53 | 护 | hù | to protect | 7 | 護 | 护照 hùzhào (passport); 保护 bǎohù (to protect) |
| 54 | 化 | huà | to change; to melt; -ize | 4 | 化 | 文化 wénhuà (culture); 变化 biànhuà (change; to change) |
| 55 | 换 | huàn | to change; to exchange | 10 | 換 | 换乘 huànchéng (to transfer (trains or buses)); 交换 jiāohuàn (to exchange) |
| 56 | 活 | huó | to live; alive; work | 9 | 活 | 生活 shēnghuó (life; to live); 活动 huódòng (activity) |
| 57 | 或 | huò | or; maybe | 8 | 或 | 或者 huòzhě (or); 或是 huòshì (or) |
| 58 | 级 | jí | level; grade | 6 | 級 | 年级 niánjí (grade (in school)); 班级 bānjí (class (in school)) |
| 59 | 急 | jí | anxious; urgent | 9 | 急 | 着急 zháojí (worried; anxious); 紧急 jǐnjí (urgent) |
| 60 | 加 | jiā | to add; plus | 5 | 加 | 参加 cānjiā (to take part in); 增加 zēngjiā (to increase) |
| 61 | 假 | jià | holiday; vacation | 11 | 假 | 假期 jiàqī (holiday; vacation); 请假 qǐngjià (to ask for time off) |
| 62 | 讲 | jiǎng | to speak; to explain | 6 | 講 | 讲话 jiǎnghuà (to speak; speech); 讲究 jiǎngjiu (to be particular about) |
| 63 | 角 | jiǎo | corner; horn; 1/10 of a yuan | 7 | 角 | 角度 jiǎodù (angle; point of view); 角色 juésè (role; character) |
| 64 | 饺 | jiǎo | dumpling (as in 饺子) | 9 | 餃 | 饺子 jiǎozi (dumpling) |
| 65 | 节 | jié | festival; section; joint | 5 | 節 | 季节 jìjié (season); 节目 jiémù (program; show) |
| 66 | 结 | jié | to tie; knot; to end | 9 | 結 | 结束 jiéshù (to end; to finish); 结婚 jiéhūn (to get married) |
| 67 | 借 | jiè | to borrow; to lend | 10 | 借 | 凭借 píngjiè (to rely on; by means of) |
| 68 | 斤 | jīn | jin (half a kilogram) | 4 | 斤 | 公斤 gōngjīn (kilogram) |
| 69 | 净 | jìng | clean; net; only | 8 | 淨 | 干净 gānjìng (clean) |
| 70 | 久 | jiǔ | long (time) | 3 | 久 | 不久 bùjiǔ (soon; before long); 好久 hǎojiǔ (a long time) |
| 71 | 句 | jù | sentence | 5 | 句 | 句子 jùzi (sentence) |
| 72 | 卡 | kǎ | card | 5 | 卡 | 信用卡 xìnyòngkǎ (credit card); 银行卡 yínhángkǎ (bank card) |
| 73 | 渴 | kě | thirsty | 12 | 渴 |  |
| 74 | 刻 | kè | quarter (hour); moment; to carve | 8 | 刻 | 立刻 lìkè (immediately); 时刻 shíkè (moment; at all times) |
| 75 | 空 | kōng | empty; sky; air | 8 | 空 | 空调 kōngtiáo (air conditioner); 空气 kōngqì (air) |
| 76 | 哭 | kū | to cry | 10 | 哭 |  |
| 77 | 礼 | lǐ | gift; ceremony; courtesy | 5 | 禮 | 礼物 lǐwù (gift; present); 礼貌 lǐmào (polite; manners) |
| 78 | 李 | lǐ | plum; (common surname Li) | 7 | 李 | 行李 xíngli (luggage) |
| 79 | 力 | lì | strength; power | 2 | 力 | 努力 nǔlì (to work hard); 能力 nénglì (ability) |
| 80 | 练 | liàn | to practice; to train | 8 | 練 | 练习 liànxí (to practice; exercise); 教练 jiàoliàn (coach) |
| 81 | 凉 | liáng | cool; cold | 10 | 涼 | 凉快 liángkuai (nice and cool); 着凉 zháoliáng (to catch a cold) |
| 82 | 马 | mǎ | horse | 3 | 馬 | 马上 mǎshàng (right away); 马路 mǎlù (road; street) |
| 83 | 毛 | máo | hair; fur; 1/10 of a yuan | 4 | 毛 | 羽毛球 yǔmáoqiú (badminton); 毛巾 máojīn (towel) |
| 84 | 目 | mù | eye; item | 5 | 目 | 节目 jiémù (program; show); 目前 mùqián (at present) |
| 85 | 南 | nán | south | 9 | 南 | 西南 xīnán (southwest); 东南 dōngnán (southeast) |
| 86 | 难 | nán | difficult; hard | 10 | 難 | 难题 nántí (difficult problem); 难过 nánguò (sad) |
| 87 | 努 | nǔ | to strive (as in 努力) | 7 | 努 | 努力 nǔlì (to work hard) |
| 88 | 怕 | pà | to fear; to be afraid | 8 | 怕 | 害怕 hàipà (to be afraid); 恐怕 kǒngpà (I'm afraid; probably) |
| 89 | 胖 | pàng | fat; plump | 9 | 胖 |  |
| 90 | 片 | piàn | slice; piece; film | 4 | 片 | 照片 zhàopiàn (photo); 图片 túpiàn (picture; image) |
| 91 | 平 | píng | flat; level; peaceful | 5 | 平 | 水平 shuǐpíng (level; standard); 平时 píngshí (usually; normally) |
| 92 | 瓶 | píng | bottle | 10 | 瓶 | 瓶子 píngzi (bottle) |
| 93 | 其 | qí | his; her; its; that | 8 | 其 | 其他 qítā (other); 其实 qíshí (actually) |
| 94 | 汽 | qì | steam; vapor | 7 | 汽 | 汽车 qìchē (car); 汽水 qìshuǐ (soda; soft drink) |
| 95 | 且 | qiě | moreover; and (as in 而且) | 5 | 且 | 而且 érqiě (and also; moreover); 并且 bìngqiě (and; moreover) |
| 96 | 轻 | qīng | light (weight); gentle | 9 | 輕 | 年轻 niánqīng (young); 轻松 qīngsōng (relaxed; easy) |
| 97 | 秋 | qiū | autumn | 9 | 秋 | 秋天 qiūtiān (autumn) |
| 98 | 求 | qiú | to ask; to seek; to request | 7 | 求 | 要求 yāoqiú (to require; requirement); 需求 xūqiú (demand; need) |
| 99 | 区 | qū | area; district | 4 | 區 | 小区 xiǎoqū (residential community); 区别 qūbié (difference) |
| 100 | 全 | quán | all; whole; complete | 6 | 全 | 安全 ānquán (safe; safety); 完全 wánquán (completely) |
| 101 | 如 | rú | like; as; if | 6 | 如 | 如果 rúguǒ (if); 比如 bǐrú (for example) |
| 102 | 伞 | sǎn | umbrella | 6 | 傘 |  |
| 103 | 山 | shān | mountain; hill | 3 | 山 | 山区 shānqū (mountain area) |
| 104 | 勺 | sháo | spoon; ladle | 3 | 勺 | 勺子 sháozi (spoon) |
| 105 | 声 | shēng | sound; voice; tone | 7 | 聲 | 声音 shēngyīn (sound; voice); 歌声 gēshēng (singing voice) |
| 106 | 实 | shí | real; true; solid | 8 | 實 | 其实 qíshí (actually); 实际 shíjì (actual; reality) |
| 107 | 适 | shì | to suit; to fit | 9 | 適 | 合适 héshì (suitable; right); 适应 shìyìng (to adapt) |
| 108 | 收 | shōu | to receive; to collect | 6 | 收 | 收到 shōudào (to receive); 收入 shōurù (income) |
| 109 | 受 | shòu | to receive; to suffer | 8 | 受 | 受到 shòudào (to receive; to be given); 接受 jiēshòu (to accept) |
| 110 | 树 | shù | tree | 9 | 樹 | 树林 shùlín (woods); 树木 shùmù (trees) |
| 111 | 特 | tè | special; especially | 10 | 特 | 特别 tèbié (special; especially); 特点 tèdiǎn (feature; characteristic) |
| 112 | 挺 | tǐng | quite; very; straight | 9 | 挺 |  |
| 113 | 图 | tú | picture; map; chart | 8 | 圖 | 地图 dìtú (map); 图书馆 túshūguǎn (library) |
| 114 | 闻 | wén | to smell; to hear; news | 9 | 聞 | 新闻 xīnwén (news) |
| 115 | 务 | wù | affair; task; duty | 5 | 務 | 服务 fúwù (service; to serve); 任务 rènwu (task; mission) |
| 116 | 物 | wù | thing; object | 8 | 物 | 动物 dòngwù (animal); 礼物 lǐwù (gift; present) |
| 117 | 夏 | xià | summer | 10 | 夏 | 夏天 xiàtiān (summer) |
| 118 | 相 | xiāng | each other; mutually | 9 | 相 | 相信 xiāngxìn (to believe); 相机 xiàngjī (camera) |
| 119 | 香 | xiāng | fragrant; tasty | 9 | 香 | 香蕉 xiāngjiāo (banana) |
| 120 | 响 | xiǎng | loud; to make a sound | 9 | 響 | 影响 yǐngxiǎng (to affect; influence); 响声 xiǎngshēng (sound; noise) |
| 121 | 向 | xiàng | towards; direction | 6 | 向 | 方向 fāngxiàng (direction); 面向 miànxiàng (to face; aimed at) |
| 122 | 心 | xīn | heart; mind | 4 | 心 | 心里 xīnlǐ (in one's heart; in the mind); 担心 dānxīn (to worry) |
| 123 | 信 | xìn | letter; to believe; to trust | 9 | 信 | 相信 xiāngxìn (to believe); 信用卡 xìnyòngkǎ (credit card) |
| 124 | 行 | xíng | to go; to walk; OK | 6 | 行 | 不行 bùxíng (won't do; not OK); 银行 yínháng (bank) |
| 125 | 须 | xū | must; beard | 9 | 須 | 必须 bìxū (must) |
| 126 | 选 | xuǎn | to choose; to elect | 9 | 選 | 选择 xuǎnzé (to choose; choice); 选手 xuǎnshǒu (player; contestant) |
| 127 | 牙 | yá | tooth | 4 | 牙 | 牙刷 yáshuā (toothbrush); 牙膏 yágāo (toothpaste) |
| 128 | 言 | yán | words; speech | 7 | 言 | 语言 yǔyán (language); 发言 fāyán (to speak (at a meeting)) |
| 129 | 羊 | yáng | sheep; goat | 6 | 羊 |  |
| 130 | 阳 | yáng | sun; sunshine | 6 | 陽 | 太阳 tàiyáng (sun); 阳光 yángguāng (sunlight) |
| 131 | 养 | yǎng | to raise; to keep (a pet) | 9 | 養 | 养成 yǎngchéng (to form (a habit)); 培养 péiyǎng (to train; to foster) |
| 132 | 业 | yè | business; job; studies | 5 | 業 | 作业 zuòyè (homework); 职业 zhíyè (occupation; job) |
| 133 | 页 | yè | page | 6 | 頁 | 网页 wǎngyè (web page) |
| 134 | 音 | yīn | sound; tone | 9 | 音 | 声音 shēngyīn (sound; voice); 音乐 yīnyuè (music) |
| 135 | 饮 | yǐn | to drink; drink | 7 | 飲 | 饮料 yǐnliào (drink; beverage); 饮食 yǐnshí (diet; food and drink) |
| 136 | 应 | yīng | should; ought to | 7 | 應 | 应该 yīnggāi (should); 适应 shìyìng (to adapt) |
| 137 | 用 | yòng | to use | 5 | 用 | 不用 búyòng (no need to); 常用 cháng yòng (commonly used) |
| 138 | 又 | yòu | again; and | 2 | 又 |  |
| 139 | 于 | yú | in; at; to; from | 3 | 於 | 关于 guānyú (about; concerning); 终于 zhōngyú (finally) |
| 140 | 育 | yù | to raise; to educate | 8 | 育 | 体育 tǐyù (sports; PE); 体育馆 tǐyùguǎn (gym; stadium) |
| 141 | 咱 | zán | we; us (including you) | 9 | 咱 | 咱们 zánmen (we (including you)) |
| 142 | 张 | zhāng | sheet (measure word); to open | 7 | 張 | 紧张 jǐnzhāng (nervous; tense) |
| 143 | 者 | zhě | -er; person who does something | 8 | 者 | 或者 huòzhě (or); 记者 jìzhě (reporter; journalist) |
| 144 | 直 | zhí | straight; directly | 8 | 直 | 一直 yìzhí (always; straight ahead); 直到 zhídào (until) |
| 145 | 纸 | zhǐ | paper | 7 | 紙 | 报纸 bàozhǐ (newspaper); 纸巾 zhǐjīn (tissue; paper towel) |
| 146 | 种 | zhǒng | kind; type; seed | 9 | 種 | 各种 gèzhǒng (all kinds of); 种植 zhòngzhí (to plant; to grow) |
| 147 | 重 | zhòng | heavy; important | 9 | 重 | 重要 zhòngyào (important); 重新 chóngxīn (again; anew) |
| 148 | 主 | zhǔ | owner; master; main | 5 | 主 | 主要 zhǔyào (main; mainly); 主意 zhǔyi (idea; plan) |
| 149 | 助 | zhù | to help | 7 | 助 | 帮助 bāngzhù (to help; help); 有助于 yǒuzhùyú (to help; to contribute to) |
| 150 | 总 | zǒng | always; total; general | 9 | 總 | 总是 zǒngshì (always); 总结 zǒngjié (to sum up; summary) |

## How to use it

1. Read the pinyin and meaning on the sheet's first page, and say each character out loud.
2. Follow the row that builds the character one stroke at a time, tracing each new stroke in the order shown.
3. Write it from memory in the empty boxes and its pinyin on the line, then scan the QR code to check your strokes online.

## How many characters do you need to write for HSK 3?

150 new ones. The 2025 HSK syllabus (HSK 3.0) adds 150 characters to its handwriting list, 书写字 (shū xiě zì), at HSK 3, for 250 in all with the levels below. You need to recognize more than you write: 284 new reading characters at HSK 3, 655 in all.

## Is the HSK 3 characters PDF free?

Yes. It is a free PDF in A4 or US Letter, with no account or email needed; the page picks the paper used in your country. The 150 characters come in 8 sheets of up to 20, 70 pages on A4, and every sheet has a QR code that opens online practice for its characters.

## What is on each page?

Each sheet starts with its characters' pinyin and meanings. Then every character gets its stroke order as a strip, a row of 田字格 (tián zì gé) boxes that adds one stroke at a time in color, empty boxes to write it from memory and a line for its pinyin. Stroke-direction cards close each sheet.

## Which HSK 3 characters have the most strokes?

答 (dá, to answer) and 渴 (kě, thirsty) have 12 strokes, the most at HSK 3; 力 (lì, strength) and 又 (yòu, again) have just 2. The average is 7.1 strokes.

## How is this different from the HSK 3 writing workbook?

The writing workbook traces every word of the level in fading boxes, a word at a time. These sheets are for the 150 single characters HSK 3 asks you to write from memory, built up one stroke at a time. Learn the characters here first, then write them inside words in the workbook.

## Can I print copies for my class?

Yes. Print as many copies as you like — it's free. Print every sheet or only the ones your class needs; to change the characters on a sheet, open it in the worksheet generator and edit it there.

Character list: the 2025 HSK syllabus, 书写字 (CLEC). Updated Oct 27, 2026.