HSK 1 is the absolute starter level: family members, numbers, basic verbs, greetings, and the politeness phrases your child uses on day one. It's enough to handle introductions, count objects, and order food.
Practicing flashcards once won't stick. Bóyǎ schedules each word for spaced repetition so you review it exactly when you're about to forget. Free on every Bóyǎ plan.
Start studying free →HSK 1 maps to roughly CEFR A1 and adds about 150 words. It is the entry point — no prior Mandarin is assumed. Once it sticks, HSK 2 continues with daily-life Mandarin: time, places, simple opinions.
The fastest route through this list is spaced repetition: Bóyǎ schedules every word for the moment you are about to forget it rather than re-drilling words you already know. Tones are taught explicitly on every card, and each session ends with you producing the language out loud, not just recognising it.
At about 15 minutes a day, most learners clear HSK 1 in roughly 6 weeks — consistency matters more than long sessions.
HSK 1 is organised around 5 themes: Greetings, Family, Numbers, Days & weather, Simple verbs. Studying by theme keeps related words together so they reinforce each other.