About Chinese HSK3
HSK 3 is the intermediate tier — 300 vocabulary words and the grammar needed to express opinions, describe experiences, and discuss abstract topics. HSK 3 is roughly equivalent to B1 in CEFR: by the end you can hold a fluent conversation on most everyday topics, read short Chinese news articles, and write 200-character pieces on familiar subjects.
All 294 words at HSK3
Click any word to see its full breakdown: reading, translation, and a real example word.
HSK 3 vocabulary in example sentences
See how each word is actually used before you memorise it. Tap the speaker to hear the pronunciation.
我把他叫做「矮子」，他就气得不得了。
He got mad at me for calling him Shorty.
电视的优点在于它给体育爱好者提供了更大的方便。
Television has the advantage of providing sports fans with greater convenience.
Practise this vocabulary
How to study Chinese HSK3
HSK 3 takes 3-6 months on top of HSK 2. Continue reviewing HSK 1 and HSK 2 (5-minute daily) and add 50-100 new HSK 3 words per week. Start consuming native Chinese content — TV shows with subtitles, podcasts, news articles — and try writing short pieces (200-500 characters) for correction. By the end of HSK 3 you should be able to follow a Chinese conversation at natural speed and express nuanced opinions.
Common questions about Chinese HSK3
What CEFR level is HSK 3 equivalent to?
Roughly B1. With about 600 words you can manage most everyday communication, describe experiences and follow the gist of native speech on familiar topics.
Is HSK 3 enough for a job that uses Chinese?
For roles with routine contact — service, trade, simple correspondence — it is a credible working base. Most professional positions ask for HSK 4 or above.