HSK 1 · Read
HSK 1 Reading Practice
Short texts in very simple Chinese, with pinyin and word help one tap away.
HSK 1 readings
About HSK 1 reading
At HSK 1 you can read short, simple sentences about everyday life: who people are, where they go, what they eat, when things happen. Most sentences follow one basic pattern, and each text is only a few lines long. Leaning on pinyin is normal at this stage — the reader keeps it one tap away instead of printed over every word.
Lessons at this level stay inside a small set of high-frequency words and repeat them on purpose. Each text sticks to one concrete scene, so you know what a sentence is about before you finish decoding it.
How the reader works
Read the Chinese text first — every word is tappable for pinyin and a meaning in your language. Turn pinyin or translation on when you need them and off when you don't. Sign in to save words, and come back later to the exact sentence you found them in.
FAQ
Can I start reading here with no Chinese at all?
You should know pinyin and a first handful of characters. If a text feels impossible, read it once with pinyin on, then again with pinyin off — the second pass is where characters start to stick.
Should I read with pinyin on or off?
Try characters first, then use pinyin to check yourself. Needing it often is normal at HSK 1; the goal is simply to need it a little less with each text.
Are these lessons free? Do I need an account?
All published lessons are free to read, no account needed. Signing in adds saving: words and phrases you tap are kept with the sentence you found them in, so you can review them in context later.