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Learn HSK

Build Chinese vocabulary, characters and listening for the HSK level you need.

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The HSK, or Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, is the standardized test of Mandarin Chinese proficiency for non-native speakers. Each level comes with its own vocabulary and grammar scope, and higher levels add writing tasks on top of listening and reading. A newer standard has been reorganizing the level system, so check which version applies to your test. Spoken Chinese is tested separately in the HSKK. Tests use simplified characters and are offered on paper and online. Learnr is not affiliated with the HSK organizers; it builds courses on the material for your level.

How to learn HSK, step by step

Check which HSK version and level you need. Universities, scholarships and employers may require a particular level. Confirm which version of the test is offered at your test center and download the matching vocabulary list from the official site.
Get tones and pinyin right from the start. Mandarin has four tones plus a neutral tone, and mistakes compound over time. Practice minimal pairs such as mā, má, mǎ and mà until you hear the difference, since listening sections depend on it.
Learn characters through components. Most characters combine a meaning component, called a radical, with a sound component. Learning common radicals like 氵 for water and 口 for mouth makes new characters easier to remember and guess.
Study vocabulary daily with spaced repetition. Each level adds hundreds of words, so steady daily review matters more than long sessions. Learnr lessons resurface the words you miss, which keeps your vocabulary list moving forward without forgetting earlier levels.
Practice grammar in full sentences. Patterns like the 把 construction, 了 for completed actions, and complements of result are central. Write your own sentences with each pattern and compare them with native examples.
Take official mock tests. Use official sample papers for your level under timed conditions. If you are taking an online test, practice typing Chinese with pinyin input, since some writing tasks require it.

What you'll learn

Read and write the simplified characters for your target level
Use pinyin and tones accurately when learning new words
Apply the grammar patterns your level requires
Understand spoken Chinese in short dialogues and longer passages
Write sentences and short passages at higher levels

What's inside your HSK course

A sample path Learnr builds for HSK. Your real course adapts to your goal and level.

1. HSK levels, versions and the HSKK
2. Pinyin, tones and character basics
3. Vocabulary for your level
4. Grammar patterns and sentence structure
5. Listening practice
6. Reading and writing practice

How long does it take to learn HSK?

Lower levels can be reached in a few months of regular study. Upper levels usually take several years of consistent work, depending on your study hours, exposure to Chinese and whether you already know characters from Japanese.

What you need before you start

None for the first level. Higher levels assume mastery of the vocabulary and grammar from lower ones, and a working knowledge of pinyin.

Common mistakes to avoid

Learning words in pinyin only and skipping characters. The test is in characters, so learn to recognize each word as written.
Ignoring tones because the test is mostly multiple choice. Tones affect listening comprehension, so practice them from day one.
Using an outdated vocabulary list. Make sure your list matches the version of the HSK you are taking.

How Learnr builds your course

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HSK questions, answered

Does the HSK include speaking?

The main HSK tests listening, reading and, at higher levels, writing. Speaking is tested in a separate exam, the HSKK, which has its own levels.

What changed with the new HSK?

A newer standard has been expanding and reorganizing the level system and vocabulary lists. Check the official HSK website or your test center for the version and requirements that apply to you.