HSK6: learn ten words at a time
When a word is new, open its help and listen to the example. On later visits, try recalling before opening help. Start with five to ten words and revisit tomorrow.
From the new HSK 3.0 word list. Every word here has an original Chinese example, English translation and pinyin. Try reading the example after recalling the word.
9 word entries · Batch 1 of 1
才
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才 · cái
only then; not until, often suggesting later than expected
Study these uses in context
Your goal: Use context to distinguish a late event from a surprisingly small quantity.
Before you start: Recognise clock times, numbers and 到 for arriving. A time or amount needs a comparison in context.
not until a later-than-expected time
Eight was expected, but arrival happened at nine. 才 before 到 highlights the delay.
我们约好八点见，他九点才到。
Wǒmen yuē hǎo bā diǎn jiàn, tā jiǔ diǎn cái dào.
We agreed to meet at eight, but he did not arrive until nine.
only a small amount
Before the amount 十块钱, 才 presents the price as low relative to the speaker's expectation.
这本书才十块钱。
Zhè běn shū cái shí kuài qián.
This book costs only ten yuan.
Compare: At a meeting, 九点才到 concerns lateness; in a bookshop, 才十块钱 concerns a small price. Neither nine o'clock nor ten yuan is inherently late or cheap. Work out the speaker's comparison. In the simple late-arrival frame, say 他九点才到; do not copy the early-arrival pattern 九点就到了 by automatically adding 了.
Try with a clue: You expected twenty students. 才来了五个人。五个人 means five people. What is unexpectedly small? Is the sentence primarily telling you that five o'clock is late?
Check your reasoning
Only five people came, fewer than the expected twenty. 五个人 is a count of people, not a clock time.
Try a fresh context: The shop opens at eight. 我十点才去。What does 才 contribute? Does the sentence give the price of anything?
Check your reasoning
The visit is presented as late, at ten rather than earlier. 十点 is a time before 才去; there is no price expression.
Use it in a new situation: You expected a notebook to cost thirty yuan, but it costs six. Write a sentence with 才. Then describe arriving at ten for a nine-o'clock meeting. State the comparison behind each use.
Check your reasoning
这个本子才六块钱 presents six yuan as low compared with thirty. 我十点才到 presents arrival at ten as late compared with the agreed nine. The first compares amounts; the second compares times.
Recall later: Tomorrow, invent a cheap purchase and a delayed arrival. A few days later, change the expected amount or time and explain why the same fact might no longer justify 才.
These are selected reading and usage activities. Compare your reasoning before rating recall below; no automatic usage or pronunciation score is awarded.
he / him他九点only then / not until才to / arrive到school学校。
tā jiǔ diǎn cái dào xué xiào。
Show English meaning
He did not arrive at school until nine.
Here, 才: only then; not until, often suggesting later than expected.
More course examples (may introduce later-level language)
she / her她九点only then / not until才to come来。
Here, 才: not until. Learn this use in its lesson.
he / him他十二点only then / not until才to return home回家。
Here, 才: not until. Learn this use in its lesson.
Dictionary senses and source
- only then; not until, often suggesting later than expected
- ability
- talent
- sb of a certain type
- a capable individual
- then and only then
- just now
- (before an expression of quantity) only
- (variant of 才[cai2]) just now
- (variant of 才[cai2]) (before an expression of quantity) only
Original teaching usage; additional dictionary senses from CC-CEDICT; official sense numbers are not assigned automatically. Official entry 544, syllabus PDF page 93. Dictionary reading comparison: exact. Numbered senses in the official inventory are not assigned from the dictionary automatically.
Try saying or writing a short sentence with this word. Check the intended meaning, its position and the surrounding words; recall alone does not establish correct usage.
Rate the attempt you made before opening help. For a new word, choose “Review again” and try recalling it later.
刚才
Reveal help
刚才 · gāngcái
just now; a short time ago
just now (variant of 刚才)刚才to be / is是who谁to / for / give给you你to make a telephone call打电话？
gāng cái shì shuí gěi nǐ dǎ diàn huà？
Show English meaning
Who called you just now?
Here, 刚才: just now; a short time ago.
More course examples (may introduce later-level language)
just now (variant of 刚才)刚才I / me我at / in在rail station车站。
Here, 刚才: a moment ago. Learn this use in its lesson.
just now (variant of 刚才)刚才someone有人to / for / give给you你to make a telephone call打电话。
Here, 刚才: just now. Learn this use in its lesson.
Dictionary senses and source
- just now; a short time ago
- just now
- a moment ago
- just now (variant of 剛才|刚才[gang1 cai2])
Original teaching usage; additional dictionary senses from CC-CEDICT; official sense numbers are not assigned automatically. Official entry 642, syllabus PDF page 96. Dictionary reading comparison: exact. Numbered senses in the official inventory are not assigned from the dictionary automatically.
Try saying or writing a short sentence with this word. Check the intended meaning, its position and the surrounding words; recall alone does not establish correct usage.
Rate the attempt you made before opening help. For a new word, choose “Review again” and try recalling it later.
只有
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只有 · zhǐyǒu
only; introduces a necessary condition in 只有……才…… statements
only have ...只有many多to practice练习，talent才能to raise提高level (of achievement etc)水平。
zhǐ yǒu duō liàn xí， cái néng tí gāo shuǐ píng。
Show English meaning
Only by practising more can you improve your level.
Here, 只有: only; introduces a necessary condition in 只有……才…… statements.
More course examples (may introduce later-level language)
only have ...只有she / her她to know知道answer答案。
Here, 只有: only. Learn this use in its lesson.
only have ...只有to make an effort努力，talent才能success成功。
Here, 只有: only if. Learn this use in its lesson.
Dictionary senses and source
- only; introduces a necessary condition in 只有……才…… statements
- only have ...
- there is only ...
- (used in combination with 才[cai2]) it is only if one ... (that one can ...) (Example: 只有通過治療才能痊愈|只有通过治疗才能痊愈[zhi3 you3 tong1 guo4 zhi4 liao2 cai2 neng2 quan2 yu4] "the only way to cure it is with therapy")
- it is only ... (who ...) (Example: 只有男性才有此需要[zhi3 you3 nan2 xing4 cai2 you3 ci3 xu1 yao4] "only men would have such a requirement")
- (used to indicate that one has no alternative) one can only (do a certain thing) (Example: 只有屈服[zhi3 you3 qu1 fu2] "the only thing you can do is give in")
Original teaching usage; additional dictionary senses from CC-CEDICT; official sense numbers are not assigned automatically. Official entry 980, syllabus PDF page 104. Dictionary reading comparison: exact. Numbered senses in the official inventory are not assigned from the dictionary automatically.
Try saying or writing a short sentence with this word. Check the intended meaning, its position and the surrounding words; recall alone does not establish correct usage.
Rate the attempt you made before opening help. For a new word, choose “Review again” and try recalling it later.
才
Reveal help
才 · cái
only; before an amount, suggests less than expected
this这本书only then / not until才十块钱。
zhè běn shū cái shí kuài qián。
Show English meaning
This book costs only ten yuan.
Here, 才: only; before an amount, suggests less than expected.
More course examples (may introduce later-level language)
he / him他九点only then / not until才to / arrive到school学校。
tā jiǔ diǎn cái dào xué xiào。
Show English meaning
He did not arrive at school until nine.
Here, 才: only then; not until, often suggesting later than expected.
she / her她九点only then / not until才to come来。
Here, 才: not until. Learn this use in its lesson.
Dictionary senses and source
- only; before an amount, suggests less than expected
- ability
- talent
- sb of a certain type
- a capable individual
- then and only then
- just now
- (before an expression of quantity) only
- (variant of 才[cai2]) just now
- (variant of 才[cai2]) (before an expression of quantity) only
Original teaching usage; additional dictionary senses from CC-CEDICT; official sense numbers are not assigned automatically. Official entry 2083, syllabus PDF page 132. Dictionary reading comparison: exact. Numbered senses in the official inventory are not assigned from the dictionary automatically.
Try saying or writing a short sentence with this word. Check the intended meaning, its position and the surrounding words; recall alone does not establish correct usage.
Rate the attempt you made before opening help. For a new word, choose “Review again” and try recalling it later.
人才
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人才 · réncái
talented person; people with valuable skills
这家company公司to need需要more更many多technology技术talent人才。
zhè jiā gōng sī xū yào gèng duō jì shù rén cái。
Show English meaning
This company needs more people with technical skills.
Here, 人才: talented person; people with valuable skills.
Dictionary senses and source
- talented person; people with valuable skills
- talent
- talented person
- looks
- attractive looks
Original teaching usage; additional dictionary senses from CC-CEDICT; official sense numbers are not assigned automatically. Official entry 2917, syllabus PDF page 152. Dictionary reading comparison: exact. Numbered senses in the official inventory are not assigned from the dictionary automatically.
Try saying or writing a short sentence with this word. Check the intended meaning, its position and the surrounding words; recall alone does not establish correct usage.
Rate the attempt you made before opening help. For a new word, choose “Review again” and try recalling it later.
才华
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才华 · cáihuá
talent; exceptional ability, especially in creative work
she / her她(modifier / structural particle)的music音乐talent才华at / in在这次to act (in a play)演出to hit (the mark)中to get得到(completed / change)了to unfold before one's eyes展现。
tā de yīn yuè cái huá zài zhè cì yǎn chū zhōng dé dào le zhǎn xiàn。
Show English meaning
Her musical talent was displayed in this performance.
Here, 才华: talent; exceptional ability, especially in creative work.
Dictionary senses and source
- talent; exceptional ability, especially in creative work
- talent
Original teaching usage; additional dictionary senses from CC-CEDICT; official sense numbers are not assigned automatically. Official entry 3696, syllabus PDF page 172. Dictionary reading comparison: exact. Numbered senses in the official inventory are not assigned from the dictionary automatically.
Try saying or writing a short sentence with this word. Check the intended meaning, its position and the surrounding words; recall alone does not establish correct usage.
Rate the attempt you made before opening help. For a new word, choose “Review again” and try recalling it later.
才能
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才能 · cáinéng
ability; talent for doing something
这项to work工作to let / make让he / him他to have / there is有opportunity机会to display发挥oneself自己(modifier / structural particle)的talent才能。
zhè xiàng gōng zuò ràng tā yǒu jī huì fā huī zì jǐ de cái néng。
Show English meaning
This job gives him an opportunity to use his abilities.
Here, 才能: ability; talent for doing something.
Dictionary senses and source
- ability; talent for doing something
- talent
- ability
- capacity
Original teaching usage; additional dictionary senses from CC-CEDICT; official sense numbers are not assigned automatically. Official entry 3697, syllabus PDF page 172. Dictionary reading comparison: exact. Numbered senses in the official inventory are not assigned from the dictionary automatically.
Try saying or writing a short sentence with this word. Check the intended meaning, its position and the surrounding words; recall alone does not establish correct usage.
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多才多艺
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多才多艺 · duōcái-duōyì
versatile; talented in many arts or skills
she / her她multitalented多才多艺，既会to draw画画，also也can / will会to play or strum a lute or…弹琴。
tā duō cái duō yì， jì huì huà huà， yě huì tán qín。
Show English meaning
She has many talents: she can both paint and play the piano.
Here, 多才多艺: versatile; talented in many arts or skills.
Dictionary senses and source
- versatile; talented in many arts or skills
- multitalented
Original teaching usage; additional dictionary senses from CC-CEDICT; official sense numbers are not assigned automatically. Official entry 3936, syllabus PDF page 178. Dictionary reading comparison: exact. Numbered senses in the official inventory are not assigned from the dictionary automatically.
Try saying or writing a short sentence with this word. Check the intended meaning, its position and the surrounding words; recall alone does not establish correct usage.
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天才
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天才 · tiāncái
genius; a person with exceptional natural ability
天才 can describe a person with exceptional natural ability. 天赋 refers to natural talent or aptitude; practising and learning are still separate actions, not part of the literal meaning of either noun.
everyone大家steelyard称she / her她for为music音乐talent天才。
dà jiā chēng tā wéi yīn yuè tiān cái。
Show English meaning
Everyone calls her a musical genius.
Here, 天才: genius; a person with exceptional natural ability.
Dictionary senses and source
- genius; a person with exceptional natural ability
- talent
- gift
- genius
- talented
- gifted
Original teaching usage; additional dictionary senses from CC-CEDICT; official sense numbers are not assigned automatically. Official entry 4888, syllabus PDF page 202. Dictionary reading comparison: exact. Numbered senses in the official inventory are not assigned from the dictionary automatically.
Try saying or writing a short sentence with this word. Check the intended meaning, its position and the surrounding words; recall alone does not establish correct usage.
Rate the attempt you made before opening help. For a new word, choose “Review again” and try recalling it later.
About this word list
The index includes all 5,400 official HSK 3.0 entries across six levels. Different readings and official entries remain separate. Original teaching examples illustrate particular uses; additional dictionary senses are reference support. This does not establish complete syllabus teaching or exam readiness.
Use example pinyin with the audio. 一 and 不 can change tone in ordinary speech; revisit tone changes if these sound different. 儿 can join the preceding syllable, as in huìr.
Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, CC BY-SA 4.0. Original teaching examples retain their course-reference attribution. Self-review is saved on this device; writing is not uploaded.