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New HSK (3.0) · 2025 syllabus

HSK 7–9 characters

The syllabus has two character lists for each level: characters to recognise when reading, and a shorter list to write by hand. HSK 7–9 adds 1,148 reading characters (3,088 in total) and 500 handwriting characters (1,200 in total).

How characters are tested at HSK 7–9

The advanced test includes long writing and translation into Chinese. The 7–9 lists add 1,148 characters to recognise and 500 to write, for 3,088 and 1,200 in total.

HSK 7–9 handwriting characters (500)

Pick a character to watch its stroke order, then switch to “Write” and draw it yourself. The tool checks each stroke.

Choose a character

HSK 7–9 reading characters (1,148)

New characters to recognise at this level, with a reading and the first words on the HSK lists that use them.

How to learn characters faster

  • Learn components, not just whole characters. 氵 (water), 扌 (hand), 讠 (speech), 木 (tree) and 口 (mouth) appear in hundreds of characters and hint at meaning.
  • Follow the basic stroke order. Top before bottom, left before right, horizontal before vertical, outside before inside, close the box last. Correct order makes handwriting faster and neater.
  • Learn characters inside words. 机 is easier to remember as part of 手机, 飞机 and 机场.
  • Write a little every day. Ten characters a day, written three times each from memory, is better than a long session once a week.
HSK 7–9 word list HSK 7–9 test guide

Stroke animations use Hanzi Writer with stroke data from Make Me a Hanzi (Arphic Public License). Readings for characters that are not words on their own are from CC-CEDICT.

Sources

  1. HSK 考试大纲 (HSK Test Syllabus), released November 2025 — Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC). Checked 2026-10-20.
  2. HSK 3.0 sample papers, answer keys and audio (levels 1–9, speaking 3–6) — Chinese Testing International (CTI). Checked 2026-10-20.
  3. CC-CEDICT Chinese–English dictionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) — MDBG / CC-CEDICT contributors (not official). Checked 2026-10-20.