The TOCFL Vocabulary Lists
Every word you need for Taiwan's official Mandarin test, from Novice 1 to Level 5-6. Each list gives the characters, the pinyin, the word type and the meaning, with a box to tick when you know a word.
What is the TOCFL?
The TOCFL (Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language, 華語文能力測驗) is Taiwan's official Mandarin proficiency test. It has a Novice band for beginners, then three bands with two levels each, matched to the European CEFR scale.
Novice 1 and 2
Before A1. Your very first words, sorted by topic.
Level 1 入門 · Level 2 基礎
A1 and A2. Simple, familiar situations and daily routines.
Level 3 進階 · Level 4 高階
B1 and B2. Opinions, plans, news and work topics.
Level 5 流利 · Level 6 精通
C1 and C2. Complex, nuanced and formal Chinese.
TOCFL or HSK?
TOCFL | New HSK | |
Where it comes from | Taiwan | Mainland China |
Characters in our lists | Traditional (繁體) | Simplified (简体) |
Pinyin | Taiwan pronunciation, like 垃圾 lèsè | Mainland pronunciation, like 垃圾 lājī |
Levels | Novice 1–2, then Levels 1–6 | HSK 1–9 |
Words in the lists | 7,517 up to Level 5 | About 11,000 up to HSK 7–9 |
Best if you plan to | Study, work or live in Taiwan | Study, work or live in mainland China |
FAQ
From the official TOCFL vocabulary list. Novice 1 to Level 2 keep the official topics; Levels 3 to 5 are in pinyin order with A–Z sections.
Complete beginners start with Novice 1. Not sure? Tick through a list: if you know most words, move up a level.
The official list gives several forms for some words. Any of them is correct.