Pass Mandarin HSK 1
8 weeks · 3 milestones
Understand and use very basic Mandarin expressions and introduce yourself. Unlike app-based learning, every milestone requires proof of real human communication — not a score on an app.
Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
HSK 1 requires 150 vocabulary items and correct recognition of Pinyin romanisation with tone marks. The four tones of Mandarin (flat, rising, dipping, falling) plus the neutral tone are the foundation of everything — a wrong tone changes the word entirely. Measure words (量词 liàngcí) are also introduced at HSK 1: 个 (gè) for generic nouns, 张 (zhāng) for flat objects, 本 (běn) for books. Negation uses 不 (bù) for habitual/intentional negation and 没 (méi) for completion negation.
Proof required
Complete a 75-item HSK 1 practice set (vocabulary, listening, and grammar) and submit a photo with a score of 80% or above, plus a handwritten list of the four Mandarin tones with one example word per tone in Pinyin and characters.
What gets checked
- 80% or above on a 75-item HSK 1 practice set
- Four tones listed with Pinyin tone marks correct and one example word per tone
- Character versions of the example words written by hand — not typed