HSK 1 – You can understand and use everyday Chinese expressions, very basic vocabulary and short phrases. You can introduce yourself or others, ask and answer simple questions about personal details such as the place of leaving, circle of friends, things you are keen on. You can engage in a dialogue with a person or group of people who speak clearly, understandably, slowly and are willing to prompt you.
HSK 2 – You can understand and use the most common Chinese expressions and sentences related to areas of most immediate relevance (very basic personal and family information, geography, employment, shopping). You can communicate with people in simple dialogues on everyday topics. Such dialogues are usually a direct exchange of information. You can describe in simple terms aspects of someone’s background, immediate environment and areas of immediate need.
HSK 3 – You can understand the main points of dialogues on familiar topics such as work, leisure, study, and so on. You can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where Chinese is spoken. You can produce simple connected texts on familiar topics or of your personal interest. You can give reasons and explanations for your opinions and plans. You can describe experiences and events, your dreams and hopes, ambitions.
HSK 4 – You can understand the basic ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics. Technical discussions in your area of specialization do not seem difficult to you either. You can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. You can produce a detailed and clear text on a wide range of topics. You can explain your point of view by emphasizing the advantages and disadvantages of various things.
