Chinese proficiency, redefined
HSK 3.0
China's new Chinese proficiency standard, explained: the 9 levels, how they map from the old 6, and exactly what you need to learn at each one.
What is HSK 3.0?
HSK 3.0 — officially the International Chinese Language Proficiency Standards (《国际中文教育中文水平等级标准》) — replaces the old 6-level HSK 2.0 with a finer 9-level scale, HSK 1 through HSK 9. The word lists were finalized in 2025 and roughly triple the vocabulary load at the top end: about 5,000 words covered the old HSK 6, while HSK 9 expects over 11,000.
9
Proficiency levels
11,000+
Words at HSK 9
2021
Standard released
The 9 HSK 3.0 levels
Each level builds on the last. The figures below are the official word counts; click any published level to open its full word list with pinyin, part of speech, and meaning.
1,017words
cumulative 2,027
1,635words
cumulative 3,662
1,813words
cumulative 5,475
5,616words
cumulative 11,091
HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0
The old standard had 6 levels and about 5,000 words. The new one has 9 levels and over 11,000. See the full migration map — which old words moved up, which moved down, and what is entirely new.
Compare the two standards →HSK 3.0 word lists
Every word from the official 2025 syllabus, grouped by level, with pinyin, part of speech, and English meaning — plus the old HSK 2.0 level each word used to belong to, so you can see exactly what changed.
Browse all word lists →New to pinyin and tones?
HSK 3.0 assumes you can already read pinyin and hear the four tones. If you are starting from zero, begin with our pinyin chart and tone guides — every syllable, with audio you can listen to and score.
Pinyin & tones guide →Frequently asked questions
When did HSK 3.0 start?
The standard was released by China's Ministry of Education in 2021, with the detailed word lists for all nine levels finalized in 2025. Exams based on the new standard began rolling out afterward.
Is HSK 3.0 harder than HSK 2.0?
At the top, yes. The old HSK 6 covered about 5,000 words; HSK 9 covers over 11,000. The lower levels (HSK 1–3) are close to the old HSK 1–4 in scope, so beginners are not affected much, but advanced learners face a significantly larger vocabulary.
How many words are in HSK 3.0?
The complete standard spans more than 11,000 words across nine levels: roughly 300 at HSK 1, 500 cumulative by HSK 2, 1,000 by HSK 3, and over 11,000 by HSK 9.
Can I still take the old HSK 2.0?
Availability depends on the test center. As HSK 3.0 exams expand, the old HSK 2.0 is being phased out in many regions. Check with your local test center for the schedule that applies to you.
Which level should I start with?
If you are new to Chinese, start at HSK 1 — about 300 words covering the most common everyday vocabulary. You can use our word lists to see exactly what each level expects before you commit.
Learn the words — don't just memorize them
Hanlyny scores your pronunciation syllable by syllable, tones, initials, and finals included, and builds lessons around the exact HSK 3.0 words you need.
Source: official HSK 3.0 (2025) syllabus. Updated 2026-09-08. A dash in the last column means the word had no level in the old HSK 2.0 system — it is either new in 2025 or simply wasn't on the old lists.