New HSK 1 Vocabulary

Note: 吧 softens a suggestion, request, or tentative statement. It normally appears at the end of a sentence.

Note: 本 is the standard measure word for bound books and similar volumes.

Note: 病 is a noun meaning “illness” and can also function as a verb in some contexts. 生病 is the usual beginner expression for “become ill.”

Note: 不 negates habits, states, and future or intended actions. Before a fourth-tone syllable, it is pronounced bú.

Note: 的 links a modifier to a noun and can also stand in for a noun that is understood from context.

Note: 第 goes before a number to form an ordinal number such as “first” or “second.”

Note: 点 is used after an hour number to tell time.

Note: 对 can be an adjective meaning “correct” or a preposition introducing the person or thing affected.

Note: 分 can mean a minute, a point, or one part of a whole. 分钟 is clearer for a duration in minutes.

Note: 分钟 is the standard noun for a duration measured in minutes.

Note: 个 is the most general measure word, but many nouns have a more specific classifier.

Note: 还 can mean “still” or “also,” depending on context.

Note: 和 links nouns or noun phrases as “and,” and can introduce a companion as “with.”

Note: Before an adjective, 很 often serves as a neutral linking adverb and does not always carry strong emphasis.

Note: 会 usually describes a learned skill or a likely future event. At this level, focus first on “know how to.”

Note: 件 is used for clothing and for individual matters or events.

Note: 开 can mean “open,” “turn on,” or “begin operating,” depending on the object.

Note: 看病 means to seek medical care or see a doctor, not simply to look at an illness.

Note: 可以 commonly expresses permission or that something is possible.

Note: 口 is a noun meaning “mouth” and also a measure word for family members, bites, and sips.

Note: 块 is a colloquial unit for yuan and also a measure word for pieces or chunks.

Note: 了 after a verb often marks a completed event; sentence-final 了 often marks a new situation or change.

Note: Add 吗 to a statement to make a neutral yes-or-no question. The word order otherwise stays the same.

Note: 没事 can mean “I’m fine,” “nothing is wrong,” or “it’s no problem,” depending on context.

Note: 没有 negates possession and existence. It also commonly negates completed actions.

Note: 们 marks a definite plural with personal pronouns and human nouns. It is not used after a number and measure word.

Note: 呢 can return a question to another topic, add an ongoing nuance, or ask about something expected in the situation.

Note: 能 usually expresses ability or circumstances that make an action possible.

Note: 认识 means to know or become acquainted with a person, place, or written form.

Note: Use 是 to identify or classify nouns. Do not normally place 是 directly before a simple adjective.

Note: 岁 follows a number to express age.

Note: 喂 is commonly used to answer or begin a phone call. Its tone can vary in speech, but wèi is the standard dictionary reading here.

Note: 想 can mean “want to” before a verb or “think” depending on context.

Note: 些 expresses an indefinite plural amount and appears in 这些, 那些, and 哪些.

Note: 要 can express wanting, needing, or a planned future action. Context determines the meaning.

Note: 一下 after a verb makes the action brief and often softens a request.

Note: 一点儿 expresses a small amount or degree and often follows an adjective in comparisons or requests.

Note: 一些 means “some” and is normally followed by a noun.

Note: 有点儿 usually introduces a mildly negative or less-than-ideal quality.

Note: 元 is the formal basic unit of Chinese currency; 块 is common in everyday speech.

Note: 在 can be a verb meaning “to be at,” a preposition introducing location, or a marker before an action in progress.

Note: 正在 places an action in progress. It appears before the verb and may be paired with 呢.

Note: 只 is a common measure word for many animals and one of a pair.