HSK 3 vocabulary list: 500 words (2025 exam syllabus)
HSK 3 has 500 new words in the HSK exam syllabus released in November 2025 (HSK 3.0), so 1,000 words in total from HSK 1 to HSK 3. It is a beginner level. Every word below opens a page that splits it into its parts and strokes, with pinyin and example sentences, and the list is split into 50 groups of 10 you can learn and test for free.
HSK 1HSK 2HSK 3HSK 42021 listOld HSK 3
HSK 3 questions
How many words are in HSK 3?
The HSK exam syllabus released in November 2025 lists 500 new words for HSK 3, for 1,000 words in total from HSK 1 to HSK 3. The older HSK 2.0 needed 600 words up to this level.
When does the exam use this list?
The syllabus was released in November 2025 and is marked for implementation in July 2026. Check your test centre for the format of your own test date.
How should I study the HSK 3 words?
Learn about 10 words at a time. Hanzi Grove splits HSK 3 into 50 groups, each with character breakdowns, example sentences, quick checks and repeats after 1 and 3 days. It is free.
Source: 《HSK 考试大纲》 (Syllabus for the Chinese Proficiency Test), released November 2025.