Free Chinese PDF Flashcard HSK 1

Are you planning to learn Chinese or already learning Mandarin? Looking for a highly effective way to learn Chinese characters? Learning HSK level 1 or ERK level A1? 

Then these HSK flashcards can help you memorize all those Mandarin words more quickly.  They will be helpful tools besides your HSK word lists and study material. Use these cards to memorize up to 30 words a day. Take them with you when you are traveling or waiting for the bus. The best learning method is finding what learning method (audio, visual, writing, reading, watching, questioning yourself, etc.) is most effective and efficient for you and start practicing in several of ways, such as:

• HSK flashcards (Chinese character front side and English explanation backside);
• studying words from paper;
• learning by writing Chinese characters on paper;
• learning by writing Chinese characters on a computer;
• learning by listening and at the same time looking for the Chinese characters meaning;
• learning by listening and checking Chinese Pinyin writing;
• learning by listening and repeating;
• testing yourself with quiz and tests

Most effective learning method to remember Chinese characters: practice with Chinese flashcards!

“Practice testing” and “Distributed Practice” (over a long time) were unanimously chosen as the most effective learning methods in general. Therefore, we can conclude it is the most efficient and effective since practice testing with flashcards actually takes up much less time than other methods such as rereading, which practice testing with flashcards far outperforms!

These flashcards are created in Word and ready to print in duplex mode (both sides on one a4 page). Make sure your printer support duplex mode or print them at work. The file is created for duplex usage, therefore the value in the left column of the front page is related to the values in the right column of the back. Make sure to adjust any customized printer margins! Print only the first 2 pages to test. Just download, print and cut and you can start using these flashcards for free. They can be printed on normal a4 paper or stronger carton material depending on the printer capabilities

Each front of the flashcard shows the Mandarin word in Chinese characters. On the back of each flashcard, you can find the English translation including Pinyin (and tone).

This set in created in Word There is also a PDF version that you can download for using the following link: Word version.

There are two variants for the HSK: HSK written and HSK oral (also HSKK, or Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǒuyǔ Kǎoshì (汉语 水平 口语 考试), and the written HSK test assesses the skills of listening, reading, and from level 3 also writing is included. HSK tests also oral fluency. For oral HSK there are three levels: beginner (corresponding to HSK1-2), medium (corresponds to HSK3-4) and advanced (corresponds to HSK5-6).

Unlike TOEFL there are separate tests for each level. Another difference is that you are passing the tests if your score is higher than 60%: The exact outcome is less important. Another difference is that for each level published a dictionary that contains all the words to know. The test uses only these words for the respective level.

Now, each level builds off of the previous level, so level 6 includes all the words from level HSK1 to level HSK5 as well. Level HSK5 contains all the words of level HSK4, and so on. The first level is about 150 words, which is required for the first level, HSK1; for HSK6 one must know 5,000 words.

These flashcards are for personal use only and may not be edited. If you want to use these flashcards for commercial use, please download the premium full version at the following location:

The premium version contains HSK level 1 to 6 in PDF format and may be reused.

Flashcards for each HSK level:

HSK1  (ERK level A1, amount of words: 150, Exam duration:35 min)

• Listening. (Problems played twice).
• Reading.
• All Chinese characters as mentioned in this list under HSK1
• 1 set of flashcards for all 150 characters
• HSK 1 Word version
• HSK 1 PDF version

HSK2 (ERK level A2, amount of words: 300, Exam duration:50 min)

• Listening (problems played twice).
• Reading.
• All Chinese characters as mentioned in this list under HSK2
• 1 set of flashcards for all 300 characters
• HSK 2 Word version
• HSK 2 PDF version

HSK3 (ERK level B1, amount of words: 600, Exam duration:85 min)

• Listening (problems played twice).
• Reading.
• Writing.
• All Chinese characters as mentioned in this list under HSK3
• 1 set of flashcards for all 600 characters
• HSK 3 Word version
• HSK 3 PDF version

HSK4 (ERK level B2, amount of words: 1200, Exam duration: 100 min)

• Listening (problems played twice).
• Reading.
• Writing.
• All Chinese characters as mentioned in this list under HSK4
• 2 sets of flashcards for all 1200 characters, each set of flashcards 600 characters
• HSK 4 Word version
• HSK 4 PDF version

HSK5 (ERK level C1, amount of words: 2500, Exam duration: 120 min)

• Listening (played once assignments).
• Reading.
• Writing.
• All Chinese characters as mentioned in this list under HSK5
• 4 sets of flashcards for all 2500 characters, each set of flashcards 625 characters
• HSK 5 Word version
• HSK 5 PDF version

HSK6 (ERK level C2, amount of words: 5000, Exam duration: 135 min)

• Listening.(Played once assignments).
• Reading.
• Writing.
• HSK 6 Word version
• HSK 6 PDF version

This HSK 1 flashcards template is suitable if you are studying for HSK Exam. Good luck with your preparations and exams!