HSK 1 characters

The 246 characters HSK 1 asks you to read: the ones the first 300 words are built from.

Three hundred words, 246 characters: at this level almost every character you meet is a word on its own. That stops being true almost immediately, which is why the character list is worth working through as a list rather than picking it up from vocabulary.

HSK 3.0 splits reading from writing for the first time, and 95 of these 246 are in the 1,200 you also have to write by hand. Every character here has a recording.

Characters

HSK 1 characters
Character	Pinyin	Meaning
爱	ài	to love真可爱！Zhēn kěài!How cute!
吧	ba	particle indicating polite suggestion你没事吧？Nǐ méishì ba?Are you okay?
爸	bà	father, papa我爸爸很忙。Wǒ bàbà hěn máng.My dad is busy.
八	bā	eight妹妹八岁了。Mèimei bā suì le.My younger sister is eight years old.
白	bái	white; snowy; pure不明白。Bù míngbái.I don't understand.
百	bǎi	hundred我有一百块钱。Wǒ yǒu yībǎi kuài qián.I've got one hundred RMB.
半	bàn	half; semi-; incomplete我工作了半年。Wǒ gōngzuòle bàn nián.I worked for half a year.
班	bān	class; work今晚谁上班？Jīnwǎn shuí shàngbān?Who's working tonight?
包	bāo	to cover; to wrap; to hold我吃面包。Wǒ chī miànbāo.I eat bread.
杯	bēi	cup, glass; measure word for liquids杯子在桌上。Bēizi zài zhuōshàng.The cup is on the table.
本	běn	(a measure word for books)我是日本人。Wǒ shì rìběn rén.I am Japanese.
边	biān	border, edge, margin, side那边有人吗？Nàbiān yǒurén ma?Is anybody there?
病	bìng	sickness, illness, disease我生病了。Wǒ shēngbìng le.I'm ill.
不	bù	no, not不可能！Bù kěnéng!No way!
菜	cài	dish; vegetable; food这道菜很好吃。Zhè dào cài hěn hǎochī.This dish is delicious.
茶	chá	tea我们只有茶水。Wǒmen zhǐyǒu cháshuǐ.We only have tea.
常	cháng	common, general, normal; always, frequently, regularly很正常。Hěn zhèngcháng.That's normal.
唱	chàng	to sing, to chant, to call; ditty, song请唱歌。Qǐng chànggē.Please sing.
超	chāo	to jump over, to leap over; to overtake, to surpass去了超市。Qù le chāoshì.I went to the supermarket.
车	chē	cart, vehicle; to move in a cart出租车到了。Chūzūchē dào le.The taxi's here.
吃	chī	to eat我吃面包。Wǒ chī miànbāo.I eat bread.
出	chū	go out; occur我不出名。Wǒ bù chūmíng.I'm not famous.
穿	chuān	to wear; put on; penetrate穿上衣服。Chuān shàng yīfú.Dress up.
床	chuáng	bed, couch; framework, chassis我起床早。Wǒ qǐchuáng zǎo.I got up early.
大	dà	big我是个大学生。Wǒ shì gè dàxuéshēng.I'm a college student.
打	dǎ	to attack, to beat, to hit, to strike打电话回家！Dǎdiànhuà huíjiā!Call home!
蛋	dàn	egg我不喜欢鸡蛋。Wǒ bù xǐhuān jīdàn.I dislike eggs.
到	dào	arrive (at a place); until (a time)出租车到了。Chūzūchē dào le.The taxi's here.
道	dào	method, way; path, road我知道。Wǒ zhīdào.I know.
得	de	get; obtain; win我得去医院。Wǒ děi qù yīyuàn.I have to get to the hospital.
的	de	's (possessive particle)谁的生日？Shuí de shēngrì?Whose birthday is it?
第	dì	sequence, number; grade, degree; particle prefacing an ordinal我是第一。Wǒ shì dìyī.I'm first.
弟	dì	young brother, junior他是我弟弟。Tā shì wǒ dìdi.He's my younger brother.
电	diàn	electricity; electric; lightning打电话回家！Dǎdiànhuà huíjiā!Call home!
点	diǎn	point; dot; o'clock和气点。Hé qìdiǎn.Be nice.
东	dōng	East我正在吃东西。Wǒ zhèngzài chī dōngxī.I'm eating.
都	dōu, dū	all; both; even那些狗都很大。Nàxiē gǒu dōu hěndà.Those dogs are big.
读	dú	to read; to study我在读书。Wǒ zài dúshū.I'm reading.
对	duì	correct; a pair; to face对不起。Duìbùqǐ.Excuse me.
多	duō	many; much; more你多吃苹果。Nǐ duō chī píngguǒ.Eat more apples.
儿	ér	son, child一会儿见！Yīhuìer jiàn!See you soon!
二	èr	two我二十年前出生。Wǒ èrshínián qián chūshēng.I was born 20 years ago.
饭	fàn	meal, food; cooked rice我会做饭。Wǒhuì zuòfàn.I can cook.
房	fáng	building, house, room病房里很冷。Bìngfáng lǐ hěn lěng.It was cold in the infirmary.
非	fēi	not, negative, non-; to oppose非常冷。Fēicháng lěng.It's very cold.
飞	fēi	to fly, to dart; high飞机九点起飞。Fēijī jiǔ diǎn qǐfēi.The airplane departs at 9:00.
分	fēn	divide; fraction; minute我们分手吧。Wǒmen fēnshǒu ba.We should break up.
服	fú	clothes; to dress, to wear; to take medicine穿上衣服。Chuān shàng yīfú.Dress up.
高	gāo	high; tall我个子高。Wǒ gèzi gāo.I'm tall.
个	gè	(general measure word)我个子高。Wǒ gèzi gāo.I'm tall.
哥	gē	elder brother他有三个哥哥。Tā yǒu sāngè gēgē.He has three brothers.
歌	gē	song, lyrics; to sing, to chant请唱歌。Qǐng chànggē.Please sing.
给	gěi	to give; to grant; (passive particle)你给我下来！Nǐ gěi wǒ xiàlái!Come down here!
工	gōng	labor, work; laborer, worker回去工作。Huíqù gōngzuò.Go back to work.
公	gōng	fair, equitable; public; duke公车晚了十分钟。Gōngchē wǎn le shífēnzhōng.The bus was ten minutes late.
狗	gǒu	dog我家有一只小狗。Wǒ jiā yǒu yì zhī xiǎo gǒu.My family has a little dog.
关	guān	to close; shut; concern没关系。Méiguānxì.It's OK.
贵	guì	expensive; noble; honorable您贵姓？Nín guìxìng?What's your surname please?
国	guó	country, nation, state; national你去过哪些国家？Nǐ qùguò nǎxiē guójiā?Which countries have you visited?
果	guǒ	fruit, nut; result我吃苹果了。Wǒ chī píngguǒ le.I ate apples.
还	hái	still; yet; in addition我还在读书。Wǒ hái zài dúshū.I'm still reading.
孩	hái	baby, child; children他还是小孩子。Tā háishi xiǎoháizi.He's still a child.
汉	hàn	Chinese people; Chinese language他也学习汉语。Tā yě xuéxí hànyǔ.He studies Chinese as well.
号	hào	number, date这里只有大号的。Zhèlǐ zhǐyǒu dà hào de.We only have L size here.
好	hǎo	good; well; fine晚上好。Wǎnshàng hǎo.Good evening.
和	hé	and和气点。Hé qìdiǎn.Be nice.
喝	hē	drink我在喝牛奶。Wǒ zài hēniúnǎi.I'm drinking milk.
很	hěn	very很正常。Hěn zhèngcháng.That's normal.
后	hòu	after; behind, rear; descendants后天见。Hòutiān jiàn.See you in two days.
候	hòu	to wait, to expect; to visit; to greet它什么时候到？Tā shénme shíhòu dào?When does it arrive?
话	huà	talk, speech; language, dialect不要说话了。Búyào shuōhuà le.Stop talking.
欢	huān	happy, glad, joyful他喜欢睡觉。Tā xǐhuān shuìjiào.He likes sleeping.
回	huí	to return; to go back; (times)请回来。Qǐng huílái.Turn back, please.
会	huì	can; to be able to; will一会儿见！Yīhuìer jiàn!See you soon!
火	huǒ	fire我们没点火。Wǒmen méi diǎnhuǒ.We didn't start the fire.
几	jǐ	how many; a few; several您几点下课？Nín jǐdiǎn xiàkè?What time does your class end?
机	jī	desk; machine; moment, opportunity好时机。Hǎoshíjī.Nice timing.
鸡	jī	chicken我不喜欢鸡蛋。Wǒ bù xǐhuān jīdàn.I dislike eggs.
家	jiā	home; family; house他是作家。Tā shì zuòjiā.He's an author.
见	jiàn	to see, to observe, to meet, to appear后天见。Hòutiān jiàn.See you in two days.
件	jiàn	(measure word for things, clothes, and items)我不知道这件事。Wǒ bù zhīdào zhè jiàn shì.I didn't know about that.
间	jiān	between, among; midpoint; space, place, locality我有时间。Wǒ yǒu shíjiān.I have time.
叫	jiào	call, is called你叫什么名字？Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?What's your name?
姐	jiě	elder sister; miss, young lady我没有姐妹。Wǒ méiyǒu jiěmèi.I don't have any sisters.
今	jīn	modern, current; today, now今天下雨。Jīntiān xiàyǔ.It's raining today.
九	jiǔ	nine飞机九点起飞。Fēijī jiǔ diǎn qǐfēi.The airplane departs at 9:00.
觉	jué	conscious; to nap, to sleep; to wake up他喜欢睡觉。Tā xǐhuān shuìjiào.He likes sleeping.
开	kāi	to open, to start, to operate我们正在开会。Wǒmen zhèng zài kāihuì.We're in a meeting right now.
看	kàn	see, watch看那里。Kàn nàlǐ.Look there.
客	kè	guest, traveller; customer你有客人。Nǐ yǒu kèrén.You have a visitor.
课	kè	class; subject; lesson您几点下课？Nín jǐdiǎn xiàkè?What time does your class end?
可	kě	may, can, -able; possibly不可能！Bù kěnéng!No way!
口	kǒu	mouth他站在门口。Tā zhàn zài ménkǒu.He's standing at the entrance.
块	kuài	piece; lump; (measure word for money)我有一百块钱。Wǒ yǒu yībǎi kuài qián.I've got one hundred RMB.
来	lái	come请回来。Qǐng huílái.Turn back, please.
老	lǎo	old; aged; tough他是老师。Tā shì lǎoshī.He is a teacher.
了	le	(particle: completed action / change of state)我生病了。Wǒ shēngbìng le.I'm ill.
冷	lěng	cold非常冷。Fēicháng lěng.It's very cold.
里	lǐ	inside; in; (Chinese mile)看那里。Kàn nàlǐ.Look there.
亮	liàng	bright, brilliant, radiant, light你的眼睛真漂亮。Nǐ de yǎnjīng zhēn piàoliàng.You have beautiful eyes.
两	liǎng	two; 2; both我只睡了两小时。Wǒ zhǐ shuì le liǎng xiǎoshí.I slept just two hours.
零	líng	zero; remnant有零钱吗？Yǒu língqián ma?Do you have any change?
六	liù	six他六点左右要给我打电话。Tā liùdiǎn zuǒyòu yào gěi wǒ dǎdiànhuà.He will call for me about six.
吗	ma	(ending word for a question)有零钱吗？Yǒu língqián ma?Do you have any change?
妈	mā	mother, mama妈妈很忙。Māma hěn máng.My mother is very busy.
卖	mài	to sell我把房子卖了。Wǒ bǎ fángzi mài le.I sold the house.
买	mǎi	to buy爷爷买给我的！Yéyé mǎi gěi wǒ de!Grandpa bought it for me!
忙	máng	busy妈妈很忙。Māma hěn máng.My mother is very busy.
猫	māo	cat它是我的猫。Tā shì wǒ de māo.It's my cat.
么	me	interrogative particle没那么冷。Méi nàme lěng.It wasn't that cold.
没	méi	not, none, gone; to bury; to sink, to drown没关系。Méiguānxì.It's OK.
妹	mèi	younger sister我没有姐妹。Wǒ méiyǒu jiěmèi.I don't have any sisters.
们	men	plural marker for pronouns and some nouns我们去哪儿？Wǒmen qù nǎér?Where do we go?
米	mǐ	rice; meter我在吃米饭。Wǒ zài chī mǐfàn.I'm eating rice.
面	miàn	face; surface, side; plane, dimension我吃面包。Wǒ chī miànbāo.I eat bread.
明	míng	bright, clear; to explain, to understand, to shed light不明白。Bù míngbái.I don't understand.
名	míng	name; position, rank, title我不出名。Wǒ bù chūmíng.I'm not famous.
那	nà	that看那里。Kàn nàlǐ.Look there.
哪	nǎ	which你去哪儿？Nǐ qù nǎér?Where are you going?
奶	nǎi	milk; breasts; nurse, grandmother我在喝牛奶。Wǒ zài hēniúnǎi.I'm drinking milk.
男	nán	male我是个男人。Wǒ shì gè nánrén.I'm a man.
脑	nǎo	brain我小时候的时候还没有电脑。Wǒ xiǎoshíhòu de shíhòu hái méiyǒu diànnǎo.We didn't have computers when I was growing up.
呢	ne	(question particle)我很好，你呢？Wǒ hěn hǎo, nǐ ne?I am fine. And you?
能	néng	can; to be able to不可能！Bù kěnéng!No way!
你	nǐ	you你有客人。Nǐ yǒu kèrén.You have a visitor.
年	nián	year她去年出生。Tā qùnián chūshēng.She was born last year.
您	nín	you (polite)您会唱歌吗？Nín huì chànggē ma?Can you sing?
牛	niú	ox, cow, bull我在喝牛奶。Wǒ zài hēniúnǎi.I'm drinking milk.
女	nǚ	woman; female她是我女儿。Tā shì wǒ nǚér.She's my daughter.
朋	péng	friend, pal, acquaintance你们是朋友？Nǐmen shì péngyǒu?Are you friends?
便	pián	easy, convenient; expedient它真的很便宜。Tā zhēnde hěn piányi.It is really cheap.
漂	piào	to drift, to float; to be tossed about; bleach你的眼睛真漂亮。Nǐ de yǎnjīng zhēn piàoliàng.You have beautiful eyes.
苹	píng	apple; duckweed, Artemisia我吃苹果了。Wǒ chī píngguǒ le.I ate apples.
气	qì	air, gas; steam, vapor; anger和气点。Hé qìdiǎn.Be nice.
起	qǐ	to begin, to initiate; to rise, to stand up对不起。Duìbùqǐ.Excuse me.
期	qī	a period of time; date, time; phase今天是星期四。Jīntiān shì xīngqīsì.Today is Thursday.
七	qī	seven他向她求婚求了七次。Tā xiàng tā qiúhūn qiú le qīcì.He asked her seven times to marry him.
前	qián	in front, forward; former, preceding零在一前面。Língzài yī qiánmiàn.Zero comes before one.
钱	qián	money有零钱吗？Yǒu língqián ma?Do you have any change?
千	qiān	one thousand我爱千层面。Wǒàiqiān céngmiàn.I love lasagna.
请	qǐng	please; to invite; to treat请唱歌。Qǐng chànggē.Please sing.
去	qù	to go去了超市。Qù le chāoshì.I went to the supermarket.
热	rè	hot天气热点儿没关系。Tiānqì rèdiǎn ér méiguānxì.I don't mind if the weather is hot.
人	rén	people, person, man, human being, personality, folk你有客人。Nǐ yǒu kèrén.You have a visitor.
认	rèn	to know, to recognize, to understand她认识我。Tā rènshí wǒ.She knows me.
日	rì	sun; day; date谁的生日？Shuí de shēngrì?Whose birthday is it?
三	sān	three他有三个哥哥。Tā yǒu sāngè gēgē.He has three brothers.
上	shàng	up; above; on晚上好。Wǎnshàng hǎo.Good evening.
商	shāng	commerce, business, trade他去了商店。Tā qù le shāngdiàn.He went to the store.
少	shǎo	few; little; less汉字有多少个？Hànzì yǒu duōshǎo gè?How many Chinese characters are there?
谁	shéi	who; whom他是谁？Tā shì shéi?Who is he?
什	shén	what? mixed, miscellaneous早饭吃什么？Zǎofàn chī shénme?What's for breakfast?
生	shēng	life, lifetime; birth; growth谁的生日？Shuí de shēngrì?Whose birthday is it?
时	shí	time, season; period, era, age好时机。Hǎoshíjī.Nice timing.
十	shí	ten只要十元！Zhǐyào shíyuán!It only costs $10.00!
识	shí	knowledge; to understand, to recognize, to know她认识我。Tā rènshí wǒ.She knows me.
是	shì	to be; is; am我是学生。Wǒ shì xuéshēng.I am a student.
士	shì	scholar, gentleman; soldier我是位女士。Wǒ shì wèi nǚshì.I'm a lady.
视	shì	to look at, to inspect, to observe, to regard我弟弟在看电视。Wǒ dìdi zài kàndiànshì.My brother is watching TV.
事	shì	affair, matter, business; to serve; accident, incident我有些事。Wǒ yǒuxiē shì.I have things to take care of.
市	shì	city, town; market, fair; to trade去了超市。Qù le chāoshì.I went to the supermarket.
师	shī	teacher, professional, master他是老师。Tā shì lǎoshī.He is a teacher.
手	shǒu	hand你不是歌手。Nǐ búshì gēshǒu.You're no singer.
书	shū	book我在读书。Wǒ zài dúshū.I'm reading.
睡	shuì	to sleep, to doze昨天我十点就睡了。Zuótiān wǒ shí diǎn jiù shuì le.Yesterday I went to sleep at ten.
水	shuǐ	water杯子里有水。Bēizi lǐ yǒu shuǐ.There is water in the glass.
说	shuō	to say, to speak, to tell不要说话了。Búyào shuōhuà le.Stop talking.
四	sì	four今天是星期四。Jīntiān shì xīngqīsì.Today is Thursday.
司	sī	to take charge of, to control, to manage; officer他一个人在公司。Tā yí gè rén zài gōngsī.He's at the company by himself.
岁	suì	years (of age)妹妹八岁了。Mèimei bā suì le.My younger sister is eight years old.
它	tā	it它很正常。Tā hěn zhèngcháng.It's very normal.
他	tā	he他是谁？Tā shì shéi?Who is he?
她	tā	she她很可爱。Tā hěn kěài.She is very pretty.
太	tài	too我太高兴了。Wǒ tàigāoxìng le.I'm so happy.
题	tí	topic; subject; question on a test or assignment你的问题和我没有关系。Nǐ de wèntí hé wǒ méiyǒu guānxì.Your problems don't concern me.
天	tiān	sky, heaven; god, celestial后天见。Hòutiān jiàn.See you in two days.
条	tiáo	twig; strip; item你吃面条还是吃饭？Nǐ chī miàntiáo háishì chīfàn?Do you want to eat noodles or rice?
听	tīng	to listen, to hear我没听见。Wǒ méi tīngjiàn.I didn't hear it.
同	tóng	same, similar; together with, alike我们是同学。Wǒmen shì tóngxué.We're classmates.
外	wài	outer; outside; in addition外面在下雪。Wàimiàn zài xiàxuě.It's snowing outside.
玩	wán	to play; have a good time; visit孩子们玩得非常高兴。Háizimen wán de fēicháng gāoxìng.The children were extremely happy playing.
晚	wǎn	night, evening; late晚上好。Wǎnshàng hǎo.Good evening.
喂	wèi	hello, hey喂，你好，请问是王老师吗？Wéi, nǐ hǎo, qǐngwèn shì Wáng lǎoshī ma?Hello. Is this Teacher Wang?
文	wén	culture, literature, writing学中文的学生只有他们几个。Xué zhōngwén de xuéshēng zhǐyǒu tāmen jǐgè.They are the only students who study Chinese.
问	wèn	ask; inquire请问你的名字是？Qǐngwèn nǐ de míngzì shì?May I have your name, please?
我	wǒ	I我知道。Wǒ zhīdào.I know.
午	wǔ	noon; 7th terrestrial branch下午好。Xiàwǔ hǎo.Good afternoon.
五	wǔ	five再给我五分钟。Zài gěi wǒ wǔfēnzhōng.Give me five more minutes.
习	xí	to study, to practice; habit好好学习。Hǎohǎoxuéxí.Study hard.
系	xì	system; line, link, connection没关系。Méiguānxì.It's OK.
喜	xǐ	to love; to enjoy, to be happy; joyful, glad他喜欢睡觉。Tā xǐhuān shuìjiào.He likes sleeping.
息	xī	to end, to cease, to put a stop to; pause, breath, rest; news我今天休息。Wǒ jīntiān xiūxī.I am off today.
西	xī	West我正在吃东西。Wǒ zhèngzài chī dōngxī.I'm eating.
下	xià	down; below; under下午好。Xiàwǔ hǎo.Good afternoon.
现	xiàn	to appear, to manifest; current, now你现在是名人了。Nǐ xiànzài shì míngrén le.You're a celebrity now.
先	xiān	first; early; before小女孩先上车。Xiǎo nǚhái xiān shàngchē.The little girl gets on the bus first.
想	xiǎng	to want; to think; to miss我只想睡觉。Wǒ zhǐ xiǎng shuìjiào.I just want to sleep.
校	xiào	school; military field officer我在学校读书。Wǒ zài xuéxiào dúshū.I study at school.
小	xiǎo	small他小看女人。Tā xiǎokàn nǚrén.He looks down on women.
谢	xiè	to thank; to refuse politely还是要说谢谢的。Háishì yàoshuō xièxiè de.Thanks anyway.
写	xiě	to write你会写多少汉字？Nǐ huì xiě duōshǎo hànzì?How many Chinese characters can you write?
些	xiē	some; a few我有些事。Wǒ yǒuxiē shì.I have things to take care of.
新	xīn	new; Xinjiang autonomous region (abbreviation)我是个新生。Wǒ shì gè xīnshēng.I'm a new student.
兴	xìng	to thrive, to prosper, to flourish我不高兴。Wǒ bù gāoxìng.I am not happy.
星	xīng	star, planet; a point of light今天是星期四。Jīntiān shì xīngqīsì.Today is Thursday.
休	xiū	to rest; to stop; to retire我今天休息。Wǒ jīntiān xiūxī.I am off today.
学	xué	learning, knowledge, science; to study, to go to school; -ology好好学习。Hǎohǎoxuéxí.Study hard.
雪	xuě	snow雪很白。Xuě hěn bái.Snow is very white.
样	yàng	form, pattern, shape, style工作怎么样？Gōngzuò zěnmeyàng?How's work?
要	yào	to want; to need; will/shall只要十元！Zhǐyào shíyuán!It only costs $10.00!
也	yě	also; too我也这么想。Wǒ yě zhème xiǎng.I think so, too.
宜	yí	fitting, proper, right; what one should do它真的很便宜。Tā zhēnde hěn piányi.It is really cheap.
以	yǐ	to use; according to; so as to他以前住在这儿。Tā yǐqián zhù zài zhèér.He used to live here.
椅	yǐ	chair, seat猫在椅子上睡觉。Māo zài yǐzi shàng shuìjiào.The cat is sleeping on the chair.
一	yī	one我是第一。Wǒ shì dìyī.I'm first.
衣	yī	cloth; clothes, apparel; dress, coat穿上衣服。Chuān shàng yīfú.Dress up.
医	yī	to cure, to heal, to treat; doctor; medicine这是医院。Zhèshì yīyuàn.This is a hospital.
影	yǐng	shadow; image, reflection; photograph我们去看电影吧！Wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐngba!Let's go to the movies.
有	yǒu	have, has, there are, there is有零钱吗？Yǒu língqián ma?Do you have any change?
友	yǒu	friend, companion; fraternity你们是朋友？Nǐmen shì péngyǒu?Are you friends?
语	yǔ	words, language; saying, expression他也学习汉语。Tā yě xuéxí hànyǔ.He studies Chinese as well.
雨	yǔ	rain今天下雨。Jīntiān xiàyǔ.It's raining today.
元	yuán	Chinese monetary unit; dollar; first只要十元！Zhǐyào shíyuán!It only costs $10.00!
院	yuàn	court, yard, courtyard; school这是医院。Zhèshì yīyuàn.This is a hospital.
月	yuè	month, the moon今天几月几日？Jīntiān jǐ yuè jǐ rì?What's the date today?
在	zài	at; in; on我在读书。Wǒ zài dúshū.I'm reading.
再	zài	again; once more再给我五分钟。Zài gěi wǒ wǔfēnzhōng.Give me five more minutes.
早	zǎo	early; soon; morning早上好！Zǎoshànghǎo!Good morning.
怎	zěn	what? why? how?工作怎么样？Gōngzuò zěnmeyàng?How's work?
找	zhǎo	try to find; look for; seek我想找女朋友。Wǒ xiǎng zhǎo nǚpéngyǒu.I want a girlfriend.
这	zhè	this这不可能！Zhè bù kěnéng!It can't be!
真	zhēn	real; true; genuine真可爱！Zhēn kěài!How cute!
正	zhèng	straight, right, proper, correct, just, true很正常。Hěn zhèngcháng.That's normal.
只	zhī	only; merely只要十元！Zhǐyào shíyuán!It only costs $10.00!
知	zhī	to know, to perceive, to comprehend我知道。Wǒ zhīdào.I know.
中	zhōng	central; center, middle; amidst她在中间。Tā zài zhōngjiān.She's in the middle.
钟	zhōng	clock; bell再给我五分钟。Zài gěi wǒ wǔfēnzhōng.Give me five more minutes.
住	zhù	to live; to stay; to reside您住在哪里？Nín zhù zài nǎlǐ?Where do you live?
桌	zhuō	table, stand, desk, counter杯子在桌上。Bēizi zài zhuōshàng.The cup is on the table.
子	zi	son, child; seed, egg; fruit我个子高。Wǒ gèzi gāo.I'm tall.
字	zì	character; written word你叫什么名字？Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?What's your name?
租	zū	to rent出租车到了。Chūzūchē dào le.The taxi's here.
昨	zuó	yesterday; formerly, in the past昨天下雨了。Zuótiān xiàyǔ le.It rained yesterday.
作	zuò	to make; to write, to compose; to act, to perform他是作家。Tā shì zuòjiā.He's an author.
坐	zuò	to sit; to take (transport)你得坐下来。Nǐ děi zuòxià lái.You have to sit down.
做	zuò	to do; to make我会做饭。Wǒhuì zuòfàn.I can cook.

Source: the official 考试大纲 for HSK 3.0, published November 2025.

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