Vocabulary grouped by real-world topic. Each list includes the most important words for that domain at HSK 1–5 level, with pinyin and examples.
| Topic |
HSK Range |
Key Words |
| Family & Relationships |
HSK 1–2 |
爸爸, 妈妈, 哥哥, 姐姐, 儿子, 女儿, 朋友 |
| Numbers & Time |
HSK 1 |
年月日, 星期, 点钟, 分钟, 前天, 后天 |
| Food & Drink |
HSK 1–3 |
吃, 喝, 饭, 面条, 饺子, 茶, 咖啡 |
| Transport & Travel |
HSK 2–3 |
飞机, 火车, 地铁, 出租车, 护照, 签证 |
| Body & Health |
HSK 2–3 |
头, 手, 脚, 医院, 医生, 药, 感冒 |
| Work & Business |
HSK 3–5 |
工作, 公司, 会议, 合同, 经理, 同事 |
| Education |
HSK 2–4 |
学校, 老师, 学生, 考试, 成绩, 作业 |
| Nature & Weather |
HSK 2–3 |
天气, 下雨, 刮风, 温度, 季节, 环境 |
| Technology |
HSK 4–5 |
手机, 电脑, 网络, 软件, 人工智能 |
| Emotions & States |
HSK 1–4 |
高兴, 难过, 生气, 担心, 满意, 后悔 |
| Culture & Society |
HSK 3–6 |
春节, 中秋节, 饺子, 功夫, 传统, 文化 |
Most Common Thematic Words to Know First
Family (家庭 jiātíng)
| Chinese |
Pinyin |
English |
| 爸爸 |
bàba |
dad |
| 妈妈 |
māma |
mom |
| 哥哥 |
gēge |
older brother |
| 姐姐 |
jiějie |
older sister |
| 弟弟 |
dìdi |
younger brother |
| 妹妹 |
mèimei |
younger sister |
| 儿子 |
érzi |
son |
| 女儿 |
nǚ'ér |
daughter |
| 丈夫 |
zhàngfu |
husband |
| 妻子 |
qīzi |
wife |
| 祖父/爷爷 |
zǔfù/yéye |
grandfather (paternal) |
| 祖母/奶奶 |
zǔmǔ/nǎinai |
grandmother (paternal) |
Food & Drink (食物 shíwù)
| Chinese |
Pinyin |
English |
| 吃 |
chī |
eat |
| 喝 |
hē |
drink |
| 饭 |
fàn |
cooked rice; meal |
| 面条 |
miàntiáo |
noodles |
| 饺子 |
jiǎozi |
dumplings |
| 包子 |
bāozi |
steamed buns |
| 水 |
shuǐ |
water |
| 茶 |
chá |
tea |
| 咖啡 |
kāfēi |
coffee |
| 米饭 |
mǐfàn |
steamed rice |
| 菜 |
cài |
vegetables; dish |
| 肉 |
ròu |
meat |
Time (时间 shíjiān)
| Chinese |
Pinyin |
English |
| 今天 |
jīntiān |
today |
| 明天 |
míngtiān |
tomorrow |
| 昨天 |
zuótiān |
yesterday |
| 现在 |
xiànzài |
now |
| 年 |
nián |
year |
| 月 |
yuè |
month |
| 日/号 |
rì/hào |
day/date |
| 星期 |
xīngqī |
week |
| 点 |
diǎn |
o'clock |
| 分钟 |
fēnzhōng |
minute |
| 早上 |
zǎoshang |
morning |
| 晚上 |
wǎnshang |
evening/night |