What HSK 3 is
On level 3 the conversation gets freer. You describe people and their personalities, compare, explain reasons, talk about plans and about what has already happened, and handle everyday matters — from shopping to a visit to the doctor.
In the new HSK 3.0 syllabus level 3 has 500 new words — 1,000 together with the first two levels — and 284 new characters to recognize. The standard asks you to write 150 characters by hand. The words of the earlier levels are on the HSK 1 words and HSK 2 words pages.
How to learn the words on the list
- By topic, not alphabetically. Words of one topic come up together: “tea”, “drink” and “cup” stick as one scene. That is why the list is split into topics, in the order they come in the course.
- With sound from the start. Tap a word to hear how it is pronounced. The tone is part of the word: māma and mǎ differ only in their melody. If the tones still blur together, start with the pinyin chart.
- Test, don’t reread. Turn on “Test yourself”: the meanings hide, and you recall them on your own. Recalling is harder than reading, and that is exactly what makes a word stick.
- A little every day. Five to seven new words a day, and you finish the list in a month and a half to two months. The arrow next to a word opens its page, with its characters stroke by stroke and phrases that use it. In the course, words come back for review just when you start to forget them.
Common questions
How many words do you need for HSK 3?
In the new HSK 3.0 syllabus, level 3 adds 500 new words — 1,000 together with the first two levels. In the old syllabus level 3 asked for 600 words.
How many characters are on level 3?
You need to recognize 284 new characters on top of the first two levels. The standard asks you to write 150 characters by hand.
How long does it take to learn the HSK 3 words?
In the course it is 94 lessons of 8–10 minutes. At one lesson a day, with reviews, level 3 takes about three months.
What can you do with HSK 3?
With a thousand words you can hold an everyday conversation about life, work and plans, read simple texts and chat in writing. Which level you need for study or work is up to the university or employer, so check their requirements in advance.
The same 500 words, in lessons
94 level 3 lessons: a word is heard in a dialogue, you build a phrase with it and meet it again in review. Start free, no sign-up.
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