HSK 3 Vocabulary List

500 new words at HSK 3 on the new HSK 3.0 exam (2025 syllabus), 1,000 in all with HSK 1–2. The old HSK 2.0 added 300 at this level. Most test dates before 13 December 2026 still use HSK 2.0.

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The 500 HSK 3 words of the HSK 3.0 syllabus (2025). “New” = not on HSK 2.0; “2.0: HSK 4” = where HSK 2.0 had the word.
Word	Pinyin	English	Type	vs HSK 2.0
阿姨	āyí	auntie; nanny	n.
矮	ǎi	short (in height)	adj.
爱人	àiren	spouse; husband or wife	n.	New
安静	ānjìng	quiet	adj.
安全	ānquán	safe; secure; safety	adj.	2.0: HSK 4
把	bǎ	(object marker); (measure word for things with handles)	m.w., prep.
搬	bān	to move (something); to relocate	v.
班级	bānjí	class (in school)	n.	New
搬家	bānjiā	to move (to a new home)	v.	New
办	bàn	to do; to handle; to set up	v.	New
办法	bànfǎ	way; method	n.
办公室	bàngōngshì	office	n.
半天	bàntiān	half a day; a long time	num.+m.w.	New
帮助	bāngzhù	to help; help	v.	2.0: HSK 2
饱	bǎo	full (from eating)	adj.
报纸	bàozhǐ	newspaper	n.	2.0: HSK 2
北	běi	north	n.	New
北方	běifāng	the north; northern China	n.
被	bèi	(marks the passive); by	prep.
笔记	bǐjì	notes	n.	New
比较	bǐjiào	to compare; fairly; relatively	v., prep., adv.
笔记本	bǐjìběn	notebook; laptop	n.
比如	bǐrú	for example; such as	v.	2.0: HSK 4
比赛	bǐsài	to compete; match; competition	v., n.
必须	bìxū	must; to have to	adv.
变	biàn	to change; to become	v.	New
遍	biàn	(measure word for times, start to finish)	m.w.	2.0: HSK 4
变成	biànchéng	to become; to turn into	v.	New
变化	biànhuà	to change; change	v., n.
表演	biǎoyǎn	to perform; performance	v.	2.0: HSK 4
别的	biéde	other; else	pron.	New
别人	biérén	other people; others	pron.
宾馆	bīnguǎn	hotel	n.	2.0: HSK 2
冰	bīng	ice	n.	New
冰激凌	bīngjīlíng	ice cream	n.	2.0: HSK 5
冰箱	bīngxiāng	fridge; refrigerator	n.
病人	bìngrén	patient; sick person	n.	New
不但	búdàn	not only	conj.
不见	bújiàn	to be missing; to not see	v.	New
不用	búyòng	no need to	adv.	New
不同	bù tóng	different; not the same		New
不久	bùjiǔ	soon; before long	adj.	New
不行	bùxíng	won't do; not allowed; no good	v., adj.	New
才	cái	only then; not until	adv.
菜单	càidān	menu	n.
参加	cānjiā	to take part in; to attend	v.
草	cǎo	grass	n.
草地	cǎodì	lawn; grassland	n.	New
层	céng	(measure word for floors, layers)	m.w.
查	chá	to check; to look up	v.	New
差	chà	poor; to fall short; to lack	adj., v.
差不多	chàbuduō	about the same; almost	adj., adv.	2.0: HSK 4
尝	cháng	to taste; to try (food)	v.
常	cháng	often	adv.	New
常见	cháng jiàn	common; commonly seen		New
常用	cháng yòng	commonly used		New
常常	chángcháng	often; frequently	adv.	New
衬衫	chènshān	shirt	n.
成绩	chéngjì	result; grade	n.
城市	chéngshì	city	n.
迟到	chídào	to arrive late	v.
出发	chūfā	to set off; to depart	v.	2.0: HSK 4
出生	chūshēng	to be born	v.	2.0: HSK 4
出院	chūyuàn	to leave the hospital	v.	New
初中	chūzhōng	junior high school	n.	New
除了	chúle	except for; besides	prep.
船	chuán	boat; ship	n.
春天	chūntiān	spring; springtime	n.	New
词典	cídiǎn	dictionary	n.
聪明	cōngmíng	smart; clever	adj.
打扫	dǎsǎo	to clean; to sweep	v.
打算	dǎsuàn	to plan; to intend; plan	v., n.
大概	dàgài	probably; roughly; about	adj., adv.	2.0: HSK 4
大人	dàren	adult; grown-up	n.	New
大小	dàxiǎo	size	n.	New
大熊猫	dàxióngmāo	giant panda	n.	New
大衣	dàyī	overcoat; coat	n.	New
带	dài	to bring; to take along	v.
担心	dānxīn	to worry	v.
蛋糕	dàngāo	cake	n.
当然	dāngrán	of course	adv.
到处	dàochù	everywhere	adv.	2.0: HSK 4
得	dé	to get; to obtain	v.	New meaning
得到	dédào	to get; to receive	v.	New
得分	défēn	to score (points); score	v., n.	New
的话	dehuà	if (ends an if-clause)	part.	New
得	děi	to have to; must	v.	New meaning
灯	dēng	lamp; light	n.
地	dì	ground; floor; land	n.	New meaning
地点	dìdiǎn	place; location	n.	2.0: HSK 4
地方	dìfang	place	n.
地图	dìtú	map	n.
电	diàn	electricity	n.	New
电梯	diàntī	elevator; lift	n.
电子书	diànzǐshū	e-book	n.	New
丢	diū	to lose; to throw away	v.	2.0: HSK 4
东	dōng	east	n.
东北	dōngběi	northeast; Northeast China	n.	New
东方	dōngfāng	the east; the East (Asia)	n.	New
东南	dōngnán	southeast	n.	New
冬天	dōngtiān	winter	n.	New
懂得	dǒngde	to understand; to know	v.	New
动物	dòngwù	animal	n.
动物园	dòngwùyuán	zoo	n.	New
短	duǎn	short (in length)	adj.
短裤	duǎnkù	shorts	n.	New
段	duàn	(measure word for sections, periods of time)	m.w.
锻炼	duànliàn	to exercise; to work out	v.
对话	duìhuà	to have a conversation; dialogue	v.	2.0: HSK 4
饿	è	hungry	adj.
而且	érqiě	moreover; and also	conj.
耳朵	ěrduo	ear	n.
耳机	ěrjī	earphones; headphones	n.	New
发	fā	to send; to issue; to hand out	v.
发烧	fāshāo	to have a fever	v.
发生	fāshēng	to happen; to occur	v.	2.0: HSK 4
发现	fāxiàn	to discover; to find	v.
发展	fāzhǎn	to develop; development	v.	2.0: HSK 4
方便	fāngbiàn	convenient	adj.
方便面	fāngbiànmiàn	instant noodles	n.	New
方法	fāngfǎ	method; way	n.	2.0: HSK 4
方向	fāngxiàng	direction	n.	2.0: HSK 4
房子	fángzi	house; apartment	n.	New
放	fàng	to put; to let go	v.
放假	fàngjià	to have a holiday; to have time off	v.	New
放心	fàngxīn	to set one's mind at rest	v.
放学	fàngxué	to finish school for the day	v.	New
分开	fēnkāi	to separate; to part	v.	New
风	fēng	wind	n.	New
封	fēng	(measure word for letters, emails)	m.w.	New
夫妻	fūqī	husband and wife; couple	n.	New
服务	fúwù	to serve; service	v.	New
附近	fùjìn	nearby	n.
复习	fùxí	to review (lessons)	v.
该	gāi	should; ought to; to be one's turn	v.	New
干净	gānjìng	clean	adj.
感兴趣	gǎn xìngqù	to be interested (in)
感到	gǎndào	to feel; to sense	v.	New
感冒	gǎnmào	a cold; to catch a cold	n., v.
干	gàn	to do; to work	v.	2.0: HSK 4
刚	gāng	just; barely; exactly	adv.	2.0: HSK 4
刚才	gāngcái	just now; a moment ago	n.
刚刚	gānggāng	just; just now	adv.	New
高铁	gāotiě	high-speed rail; bullet train	n.	New
根据	gēnjù	based on; according to; basis	v., prep.
更	gèng	even more	adv.
公斤	gōngjīn	kilogram	m.w.
公园	gōngyuán	park	n.
工作日	gōngzuòrì	workday; weekday	n.	New
故事	gùshi	story	n.
刮	guā	to blow (of wind); to scrape	v.	New
关	guān	to close; to turn off	v.
关机	guānjī	to turn off (a phone, computer)	v.	New
关系	guānxì	relationship; connection; to concern	n.
关心	guānxīn	to care about	v.
关于	guānyú	about; regarding	prep.
关注	guānzhù	to pay attention to; to follow (online)	v.	New
国家	guójiā	country; nation	n.
过节	guòjié	to celebrate a festival	v.	New
过去	guòqù	the past; in the past	n.	New meaning
海	hǎi	sea; ocean	n.	New
害怕	hàipà	to be afraid	v.
好多	hǎoduō	many; a lot of	num.	New
好久	hǎojiǔ	a long time	adj.	New
好像	hǎoxiàng	to seem; to be like; as if	v., adv.	2.0: HSK 4
号码	hàomǎ	number; phone number	n.	2.0: HSK 4
河	hé	river	n.	New
合适	héshì	suitable; appropriate	adj.	2.0: HSK 4
黑板	hēibǎn	blackboard	n.
红绿灯	hóng-lǜdēng	traffic light	n.	New
后来	hòulái	later; afterwards	n.
后年	hòunián	the year after next	n.	New
后天	hòutiān	the day after tomorrow	n.	New
护照	hùzhào	passport	n.
花园	huāyuán	garden	n.	New
画家	huàjiā	painter; artist	n.	New
欢迎	huānyíng	to welcome	v.
还	huán	to return (something); to pay back	v.	New meaning
环境	huánjìng	environment	n.
换	huàn	to change; to exchange	v.
黄色	huángsè	yellow	n.	New
回答	huídá	to answer	v.
会	huì	meeting; gathering	n.	New meaning
会议	huìyì	meeting; conference	n.
或	huò	or; perhaps	conj.	New
或者	huòzhě	or	conj.
鸡	jī	chicken	n.	New
几乎	jīhū	almost	adv.
机会	jīhuì	opportunity; chance	n.
极	jí	extremely	adv.
急	jí	anxious; urgent; to worry	adj., v.	New
记	jì	to remember; to write down	v.	New
季	jì	season; quarter (of a year)	n.	New
季节	jìjié	season	n.
加	jiā	to add; plus	v.	New
假期	jiàqī	vacation; holiday	n.	New
坚持	jiānchí	to persist; to keep at it; to insist on	v.	2.0: HSK 4
检查	jiǎnchá	to check; to examine	v.
简单	jiǎndān	simple	adj.
检票	jiǎnpiào	to check tickets	v.	New
健康	jiànkāng	healthy; health	adj.
见面	jiànmiàn	to meet	v.
讲	jiǎng	to speak; to explain	v.
角	jiǎo	one tenth of a yuan; ten cents	m.w.
脚	jiǎo	foot	n.
接	jiē	to pick up (someone); to answer (a call)	v.
街	jiē	street	n.	New
节	jié	(measure word for class periods); festival	m.w., n.	2.0: HSK 4
结婚	jiéhūn	to get married	v.
节目	jiémù	program; show	n.
节日	jiérì	festival; holiday	n.
结束	jiéshù	to end; to finish	v.
解决	jiějué	to solve; to settle	v.
姐妹	jiěmèi	sisters	n.	New
借	jiè	to borrow; to lend	v.
斤	jīn	half a kilogram (unit of weight)	m.w.	New
经过	jīngguò	to pass through; to go through; process	v., n.
经理	jīnglǐ	manager	n.
久	jiǔ	long (of time)	adj.
酒	jiǔ	alcohol; liquor; wine	n.	New
旧	jiù	old (of things)	adj.
句	jù	(measure word for sentences)	m.w.	New
句子	jùzi	sentence	n.
决定	juédìng	to decide; decision	v., n.
卡	kǎ	card	n.	New
开花	kāihuā	to bloom; to blossom	v.	New
开会	kāihuì	to have a meeting; to attend a meeting	v.	New
开机	kāijī	to turn on (a device); to boot up	v.	New
开心	kāixīn	happy; joyful	adj.	2.0: HSK 4
看来	kànlái	to seem; it looks like	v.	New
可	kě	but; really (for emphasis)	conj.	New
渴	kě	thirsty	adj.
可爱	kě’ài	cute; lovely	adj.
可是	kěshì	but; however	conj.	2.0: HSK 4
刻	kè	quarter (of an hour); to carve	m.w.
课本	kèběn	textbook	n.	New
客人	kèrén	guest; visitor	n.
课文	kèwén	text (of a lesson)	n.	New
空调	kōngtiáo	air conditioner; air conditioning	n.
哭	kū	to cry	v.
筷子	kuàizi	chopsticks	n.
矿泉水	kuàngquánshuǐ	mineral water	n.	2.0: HSK 4
来自	láizì	to come from; to be from	v.	2.0: HSK 4
蓝	lán	blue	adj.
老	lǎo	old; (familiar prefix before surnames)	adj., prefix
老人	lǎorén	old person; the elderly	n.	New
离开	líkāi	to leave	v.
礼物	lǐwù	gift; present	n.
历史	lìshǐ	history	n.
脸	liǎn	face	n.
练	liàn	to practice; to train	v.	New
练习	liànxí	to practice; exercise	v., n.
凉快	liángkuai	nice and cool	adj.	2.0: HSK 4
辆	liàng	(measure word for vehicles)	m.w.
聊	liáo	to chat	v.	New
聊天儿	liáotiānr	to chat	v.	New
了解	liǎojiě	to understand; to find out	v.
邻居	línjū	neighbor	n.
留学	liúxué	to study abroad	v.
留学生	liúxuéshēng	international student; overseas student	n.	New
楼梯	lóutī	stairs; staircase	n.	New
路边	lùbiān	roadside; side of the road	n.	New
路口	lùkǒu	intersection; crossing	n.	New
马	mǎ	horse	n.
马路	mǎlù	road; street	n.	New
马上	mǎshàng	right away; immediately	adv.
满意	mǎnyì	to be satisfied; to be pleased	v.
毛	máo	ten cents (one tenth of a yuan); hair	m.w.	2.0: HSK 4
米	mǐ	meter; rice	m.w.
面前	miànqián	in front of; in the presence of	n.	New
明白	míngbai	to understand; clear	adj., v.
名单	míngdān	list of names	n.	New
名人	míngrén	celebrity; famous person	n.	New
南	nán	south	n.
难	nán	difficult; hard	adj.
南方	nánfāng	the south; southern region	n.	New
难过	nánguò	sad; upset	adj.
难看	nánkàn	ugly; bad-looking	adj.	New
男人	nánrén	man	n.	New
男生	nánshēng	boy; male student	n.	New
难题	nántí	difficult problem; tough question	n.	New
难听	nántīng	unpleasant to hear; offensive	adj.	New
年级	niánjí	grade; year (at school)	n.
年轻	niánqīng	young	adj.
牛	niú	cow; ox; awesome (slang)	n.	New
努力	nǔlì	to work hard; hardworking	v., adj.
女人	nǚrén	woman	n.	New
女生	nǚshēng	girl; female student	n.	New
爬	pá	to climb; to crawl	v.	New
怕	pà	to be afraid of; to fear	v.	New
拍照	pāizhào	to take a photo	v.	New
盘子	pánzi	plate; dish	n.
胖	pàng	fat; plump	adj.
啤酒	píjiǔ	beer	n.
平时	píngshí	usually; in normal times	n.	2.0: HSK 4
瓶子	píngzi	bottle	n.
骑	qí	to ride (a bike, horse)	v.
奇怪	qíguài	strange; odd	adj.
其实	qíshí	actually; in fact	adv.
其他	qítā	other; the rest	pron.
起	qǐ	to rise; to get up; to start	v.	New
起飞	qǐfēi	to take off (of a plane)	v.
汽车	qìchē	car; motor vehicle	n.	New
铅笔	qiānbǐ	pencil	n.	2.0: HSK 2
前年	qiánnián	the year before last	n.	New
前天	qiántiān	the day before yesterday	n.	New
清楚	qīngchu	clear; to be clear about	adj., v.
请假	qǐngjià	to ask for time off; to ask for leave	v.
请客	qǐngkè	to treat someone (to a meal)	v.	New
秋天	qiūtiān	autumn; fall	n.	New
球场	qiúchǎng	court; field (for ball games)	n.	New
裙子	qúnzi	skirt; dress	n.
然后	ránhòu	then; after that	conj.
热情	rèqíng	warm; enthusiastic	adj.
认得	rènde	to recognize; to know	v.	New
认为	rènwéi	to think; to consider	v.
认真	rènzhēn	serious; conscientious	adj.
容易	róngyì	easy	adj.
如果	rúguǒ	if	conj.
伞	sǎn	umbrella	n.
扫	sǎo	to sweep; to scan (a QR code)	v.	New
沙发	shāfā	sofa; couch	n.	2.0: HSK 4
山	shān	mountain; hill	n.	New
上衣	shàngyī	top (clothing); jacket	n.	New
勺子	sháozi	spoon; ladle	n.	2.0: HSK 4
身边	shēnbiān	at one's side; on hand	n.	New
身高	shēngāo	height (of a person)	n.	New
声	shēng	sound; voice; (measure word for sounds)	n., m.w.	New
生活	shēnghuó	life; to live	n., v.	2.0: HSK 4
生气	shēngqì	to get angry	v.
声音	shēngyīn	sound; voice	n.
市	shì	city; market	n.	New
试	shì	to try; to test	v.
室	shì	room	n.	New
世界	shìjiè	world	n.
收	shōu	to receive; to collect; to put away	v.	2.0: HSK 4
收到	shōudào	to receive; to get	v.	New
受	shòu	to receive; to suffer; to bear	v.	New
瘦	shòu	thin; (of clothes) tight	adj.
受到	shòudào	to receive; to be subjected to	v.	2.0: HSK 4
叔叔	shūshu	uncle (father's younger brother)	n.
树	shù	tree	n.
数学	shùxué	mathematics; math	n.
刷	shuā	to brush; to swipe (a card)	v.	New
双	shuāng	pair (of shoes, chopsticks, socks)	m.w.
水平	shuǐpíng	level; standard	n.
司机	sījī	driver	n.
四季	sìjì	the four seasons	n.	New
太阳	tàiyáng	sun	n.
糖	táng	sugar; candy	n.	2.0: HSK 4
特别	tèbié	especially; special	adj., adv.
提高	tígāo	to raise; to improve	v.
体育	tǐyù	sports; physical education	n.
体育馆	tǐyùguǎn	gymnasium; indoor stadium	n.	New
甜	tián	sweet	adj.
跳	tiào	to jump; to leap	v.	New
听说	tīngshuō	to hear (that); to be told	v.	New
挺	tǐng	quite; rather; very	adv.	2.0: HSK 4
同事	tóngshì	colleague; coworker	n.
同意	tóngyì	to agree; to approve	v.
头发	tóufa	hair (on the head)	n.
突然	tūrán	sudden; suddenly	adj.
图书馆	túshūguǎn	library	n.
腿	tuǐ	leg	n.
外地	wàidì	other places; other parts of the country	n.	New
外卖	wàimài	to sell takeout; takeout; food delivery	v., n.	New
外语	wàiyǔ	foreign language	n.	New
完成	wánchéng	to complete; to finish	v.
碗	wǎn	bowl	n.
晚点	wǎndiǎn	to be delayed; to be late (of transport)	v.	New
晚会	wǎnhuì	evening party; gala	n.	New
网球	wǎngqiú	tennis	n.	2.0: HSK 4
网站	wǎngzhàn	website	n.	2.0: HSK 4
忘记	wàngjì	to forget	v.
为	wèi	for; because of	prep.
为了	wèile	in order to; for	prep.
卫生间	wèishēngjiān	bathroom; restroom	n.	2.0: HSK 4
文化	wénhuà	culture	n.
屋子	wūzi	room; house	n.	2.0: HSK 5
西	xī	west	n.
西北	xīběi	northwest	n.	New
西方	xīfāng	the West; west	n.	New
西瓜	xīguā	watermelon	n.	2.0: HSK 2
西南	xīnán	southwest	n.	New
习惯	xíguàn	to be used to; habit	v., n.
喜爱	xǐ’ài	to like; to love; to be fond of	v.	New
洗衣机	xǐyījī	washing machine	n.	New
洗澡	xǐzǎo	to take a bath or shower	v.
夏天	xiàtiān	summer	n.	New
先	xiān	first; in advance	adv.
香蕉	xiāngjiāo	banana	n.
相信	xiāngxìn	to believe; to trust	v.
箱子	xiāngzi	box; suitcase	n.	New
向	xiàng	to face; towards	v., prep.
像	xiàng	to be like; to resemble	v.
相机	xiàngjī	camera	n.	New
小区	xiǎoqū	residential community; housing complex	n.	New
小心	xiǎoxīn	to be careful; to look out; careful	v., adj.
校园	xiàoyuán	campus; schoolyard	n.	New
校长	xiàozhǎng	principal; president (of a university)	n.
鞋	xié	shoes	n.	New
心里	xīnlǐ	in one's heart; in one's mind	n.	New
新年	xīnnián	New Year	n.	New
新闻	xīnwén	news	n.
新鲜	xīnxiān	fresh	adj.
信	xìn	to believe; to trust; letter	v., n.	New
信用卡	xìnyòngkǎ	credit card	n.
行	xíng	OK; capable; to walk	v., adj.	2.0: HSK 4
行李	xíngli	luggage; baggage	n.	New
兴趣	xìngqù	interest	n.	New
休假	xiūjià	to take a vacation; to be on leave	v.	New
需要	xūyào	to need; to require; needs	v., n.
选	xuǎn	to choose; to select; to elect	v.	New
选择	xuǎnzé	to choose; to select	v.
学期	xuéqī	semester; term	n.	2.0: HSK 4
牙	yá	tooth	n.	New
牙刷	yáshuā	toothbrush	n.	New
羊	yáng	sheep; goat	n.	New
养	yǎng	to raise; to keep (pets); to support	v.	New
要求	yāoqiú	to require; requirement	v., n.
页	yè	page	m.w.	2.0: HSK 4
一定	yídìng	certainly; definitely	adj., adv.
一共	yígòng	altogether; in total	adv.
一块儿	yíkuàir	together; the same place	n., adv.	New
一样	yíyàng	the same; alike	adj.
以后	yǐhòu	after; later; in the future	n.	New
以前	yǐqián	before; previously; ago	n.
以上	yǐshàng	above; more than; the above	n.	New
以外	yǐwài	apart from; besides; outside	n.	New
以为	yǐwéi	to think (mistakenly)	v.	2.0: HSK 4
以下	yǐxià	below; under; the following	n.	New
一般	yìbān	ordinary; generally	adj.
一边	yìbiān	at the same time; while; one side	adv.
一直	yìzhí	all along; continuously; straight ahead	adv.
音乐	yīnyuè	music	n.
银行	yínháng	bank	n.
银行卡	yínhángkǎ	bank card	n.	New
饮料	yǐnliào	drink; beverage	n.
应该	yīnggāi	should; ought to	v.
影响	yǐngxiǎng	to affect; influence	v., n.
用	yòng	to use	v.
邮件	yóujiàn	email; mail	n.	New
游客	yóukè	tourist; visitor	n.	New
游戏	yóuxì	game	n.
邮箱	yóuxiāng	mailbox; email address	n.	New
有关	yǒuguān	to be related to; about; regarding	v., prep.	New
有名	yǒumíng	famous; well-known	adj.
有用	yǒuyòng	useful	adj.	New
又	yòu	again; also	adv.
羽毛球	yǔmáoqiú	badminton; shuttlecock	n.	2.0: HSK 4
语言	yǔyán	language	n.	2.0: HSK 4
雨衣	yǔyī	raincoat	n.	New
遇到	yùdào	to run into; to come across	v.
遇见	yùjiàn	to meet (by chance); to bump into	v.	New
园	yuán	garden; park	n.	New
员	yuán	(suffix: member; person doing a job)	suffix	New
愿意	yuànyì	to be willing; to want to	v.
越	yuè	the more (… the more …)	adv.
月亮	yuèliang	the moon	n.
运动会	yùndònghuì	sports meet; games	n.	New
运动员	yùndòngyuán	athlete	n.	New
咱们	zánmen	we; us (including the listener)	pron.	2.0: HSK 4
脏	zāng	dirty; filthy	adj.	2.0: HSK 4
怎么办	zěnme bàn	what to do; what should I do		New
怎样	zěnyàng	how; what kind of	pron.	New
站	zhàn	to stand	v.	New meaning
张	zhāng	to open; (measure word for flat things)	v., m.w.
长	zhǎng	to grow; head (of); chief	v., suffix	New meaning
着急	zháojí	anxious; worried	adj.
照	zhào	to shine (on); to take (a photo)	v.	2.0: HSK 4
照顾	zhàogù	to look after; to take care of	v.
照片	zhàopiàn	photo; picture	n.
照相	zhàoxiàng	to take a photo	v.	New
直到	zhídào	until; up to	v.	New
只	zhǐ	only; just	adv.	New meaning
纸	zhǐ	paper	n.	New
只能	zhǐ néng	can only; have no choice but to		New
只是	zhǐshì	just; only; but	adv., conj.	New
只要	zhǐyào	as long as; provided that	conj.	2.0: HSK 4
只有	zhǐyǒu	only if; only when	conj.
中	zhōng	middle; center; in; among	n.	New
中间	zhōngjiān	middle; between	n.
终于	zhōngyú	finally; at last	adv.
种	zhǒng	kind; type	m.w.
重要	zhòngyào	important	adj.
周末	zhōumò	weekend	n.
主要	zhǔyào	main; principal	adj.
注意	zhùyì	to pay attention to; to notice	v.
住院	zhùyuàn	to be hospitalized	v.	New
字典	zìdiǎn	dictionary (of characters)	n.	New
自行车	zìxíngchē	bicycle; bike	n.
子	zi	(noun suffix)	suffix	New
总	zǒng	always; after all	adv.	New
总是	zǒngshì	always	adv.
嘴	zuǐ	mouth	n.
最好	zuìhǎo	had better; it's best to	adv.	2.0: HSK 4
最后	zuìhòu	last; final; in the end	n.
最近	zuìjìn	recently; lately	n.
做客	zuòkè	to be a guest; to visit (someone)	v.	New
作业	zuòyè	homework; assignment	n.

What changed from HSK 2.0

562 words from HSK 2.0 up to HSK 3 are still in HSK 1–3 of HSK 3.0, and 422 words are new; the other 16 of the 1,000 entries repeat a word with another meaning. 33 HSK 2.0 words moved to a later level or changed form.

New at HSK 3, for example: 不同, 只是, 服务, 得到, 有关, 以后, 女人, 心里. No longer in HSK 1–3: 北京, 小姐, 白, 唱歌, 打篮球, 第一, 服务员, 公共汽车.

Taking the HSK before 13 December 2026? Most test dates before 13 December 2026 still use HSK 2.0. Check your registration, and study the HSK 2.0 list if that is your exam.

Characters to write at HSK 3

The 150 characters HSK 3 adds to the handwriting list.

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Print the HSK 3 characters to write: all 1,200 HSK 3.0 handwriting characters with pinyin, meanings and free worksheets.

Common questions

How many words are in HSK 3?

HSK 3 adds 500 new words on the new HSK 3.0 exam, so you need 1,000 in all with HSK 1–2. The old HSK 2.0 added 300 at HSK 3, for 600 in total. Both counts follow the official syllabus.

How many characters are in HSK 3?

The 2025 syllabus lists 284 new characters to read at HSK 3, 655 in all for HSK 1–3. 150 more must be written by hand. The writing list is on this page, and the HSK 3 writing workbook prints every word for tracing practice.

What changed in HSK 3 from HSK 2.0?

562 words from HSK 2.0 up to HSK 3 are still in HSK 1–3 of HSK 3.0, and 422 words are new, such as 不同, 只是, 服务; the other 16 of the 1,000 entries repeat a word with another meaning. Words like 北京, 小姐 moved to a later level or changed form.

Is there a free HSK 3 vocabulary list to download?

Yes. The full HSK 3 list downloads free as a PDF with pinyin, English and a box to tick each word, or as a CSV for Excel, Google Sheets and Anki. No email needed. For handwriting practice, print the HSK 3 writing workbook instead.

Should I learn the HSK 2.0 or HSK 3.0 list for HSK 3?

Study the list for the exam you will sit. Most test dates before 13 December 2026 use HSK 2.0, so check your registration; from that day the exam uses HSK 3.0. If you are not booked on a test soon, learn the HSK 3.0 list: most HSK 2.0 words are still on it.

Keep going

HSK 3 writing workbook: trace and write every HSK 1–3 word (free PDF).
Not sure which level to study? Find your Chinese level.
HSK 3 lessons with Mei Lin.
Next level: HSK 4 Vocabulary List.

HSK 3 worksheets by topic

Word lists: HSK 3.0 syllabus, 新版HSK考试大纲 (Xīnbǎn HSK Kǎoshì Dàgāng), Center for Language Education and Cooperation, 2025; pinyin and parts of speech as printed there. HSK 2.0 lists: the classic HSK word lists. English meanings: SayMei.