Sample words
12 entries taken from across the list, exactly as they appear in the file. A dash means the reading would just repeat the word.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 一 | yī | one, a |
| 中学 | zhōng xué | middle school |
| 你们 | nǐmen | you (plural) |
| 千 | qiān | thousand |
| 哪儿 | nǎr | where |
| 女儿 | nǚ'ér | daughter |
| 小 | xiǎo | small, little, young |
| 新 | xīn | new |
| 杯子 | bēizi | cup, glass |
| 电影院 | diànyǐngyuàn | cinema, movie theater |
| 菜 | cài | vegetables, dish |
| 这边 | zhè biān | this side |
Who this deck is for
Absolute beginners in Mandarin. If you have just learned pinyin and tones, this is the right first list.
How to import it into Anki
- Download the file above, then open Anki and choose File > Import.
- Set the note type to Basic and the deck to whatever you like.
- Set the field separator to Tab, and tick "Allow HTML in fields" so readings show on their own line.
- Map the three columns to Front, Back and Tags, then import.
The file is plain text, so it also opens in Excel, Google Sheets, or any flashcard app that reads TSV or CSV.
Questions
How do I import this into Anki?
Easiest is the .apkg: double-click it and Anki imports the deck, tagged by level, with nothing to configure. If you prefer the TSV, use File > Import, set note type Basic and separator Tab, tick "Allow HTML in fields" so readings appear on their own line, then map the three columns to Front, Back and Tags.
Are these simplified characters?
Yes, simplified, as the HSK uses.
Does it include tone marks?
Pinyin is included with tone marks on the back of each card.
Can I share or reuse this deck?
Yes. These lists are free to download, use in class, and redistribute. Teachers are welcome to hand them to students directly.
After the word list
A deck builds recognition, which is necessary and not sufficient — words settle once you meet them somewhere you actually wanted to read. InputDojo imports any article or video and tells you what share of it you already know. InputDojo
Teaching this level? The printable HSK 1 worksheets generate quizzes and answer keys from this same list.