HSK 3 Topics & Speaking 2026: All 19 Tasks
The new HSK 3 syllabus introduces 9 brand-new topic areas that were never tested at this level before. From office work to environmental protection, from housing to modern technology — this guide maps every task with key vocabulary, example sentences, and speaking strategies.
HSK 3 Topics & Speaking 2026 — Image
Topic Overview: 5 Categories, 19 Tasks
| Category | Tasks (includes new ⭐) |
|---|---|
| 1. Personal & Social | Personal Info · Daily Affairs · Socializing |
| 2. Food, Travel & Shopping | Dining & Food Habits · Transport & Travel · Shopping (New) |
| 3. Health & Lifestyle | Health & Medical · Leisure & Hobbies · Housing (New) |
| 4. Family, Study & Work | Family Life · Study · Campus · Family Education (New) · Office Work (New) · Careers |
| 5. Nature, Society & Culture | Nature & Climate (New) · Environment & Eco (New) · Modern Society (New) · Arts & Events (New) |
🍜 Food, Travel & Shopping
Food & Dining
交流饮食情况
Discuss eating habits, favorite foods, restaurant experiences, and food delivery. Describe how a meal tasted. Read short articles about food culture.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
我不太习惯吃辣的，所以点菜的时候会告诉服务员少放辣椒。
Transport & Travel
谈论交通出行
Plan trips using high-speed rail, cycling, or flights. Give and ask for directions. Discuss traffic rules, travel arrangements, and personal travel experiences.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
我们决定坐高铁去上海，因为比坐飞机方便，而且风景也很好。
Shopping
⭐ NEW交流购物信息
NEW at L3: Compare products, bargain, describe items, and discuss purchase experiences. Sellers describe goods; buyers ask about price, quality, and differences.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
这件衣服的质量比那件好，但是价格也贵了一百块。
🏥 Health & Lifestyle
Health & Medical
谈论就医探病、健康观念
Describe symptoms and illness experience. Discuss medication and doctor's orders. Talk about healthy lifestyle habits: exercise, diet philosophy, and health goals.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
医生说我发烧了，需要多喝水，好好休息，不能去上班。
Leisure & Hobbies
谈论休闲生活
Describe leisure activities: travel, hiking, cycling, photography, keeping pets, socializing, listening to music. Explain why you chose an activity and how it felt.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
我最喜欢的休闲活动是爬山，因为不但可以锻炼身体，而且风景也很美。
Housing
⭐ NEW谈论居住情况
NEW at L3: Describe your neighborhood, apartment layout, furniture, and home decoration. Understand short articles about living conditions. Key scenarios: housewarming party, new apartment.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
我们新搬的小区很安静，离地铁站很近，家里的客厅很大。
👨👩👧 Family, Study & Work
Family Life & Habits
谈论生活习惯、家庭关系和家庭事务
Discuss personal and family lifestyle habits, caring for elderly relatives, childcare, moving, and household chores. Express views on how your household is organized.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
在我家，妈妈负责做饭，爸爸负责打扫，我负责洗碗。
Study & Learning
沟通学习情况
Discuss courses, learning methods, study conditions, and experiences of studying abroad. Read and write emails about study progress. Write brief summaries of learning plans.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
我觉得最有效的学习方法是每天复习，不要把所有内容都留到考试前。
Campus Life
交流校园生活
Describe campus events, sports days, school news, and school environment. Discuss after-school activities and clubs. Read emails or short articles about school life.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
我们学校每年都会举办运动会，我参加了跑步比赛，得了第三名。
Family Education
⭐ NEW谈论家庭教育
NEW at L3: Discuss parenting philosophy, educational methods, and children's schooling. Express and understand opinions about how children should be raised and educated.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
我认为好的家庭教育应该让孩子有独立思考的能力。
Office Work
⭐ NEW交流日常办公情况
NEW at L3: Discuss meetings, emails, attendance, work attitude, office equipment, and colleague relationships. Read work schedules and office notices.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
今天下午三点有个会议，请大家提前准备好需要汇报的材料。
Careers & Professions
谈论职业
Talk about job changes, career aspirations, and overall career evaluation. Introduce your own or a family member's professional background and experience.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
我换了工作以后，感觉压力小了很多，而且工资也涨了一点。
🌿 Nature, Society & Culture
Nature & Climate
⭐ NEW谈论自然情况
NEW at L3: Describe regional climate features, seasons, common animals and plants, and natural scenery. Discuss your favorite season or natural environment.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
中国南方的气候比北方湿润，夏天特别热，冬天也不太冷。
Environment & Eco-Protection
⭐ NEW介绍某个地方的环境和环保
NEW at L3: Describe a place's geographic location, environmental conditions, and eco-protection practices. Express opinions about environmental protection.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
我们应该减少使用塑料袋，保护我们的环境。
Modern Society & Technology
⭐ NEW交流社会生活的某个方面
NEW at L3: Discuss high-speed rail, mobile payment, urban development, and other aspects of modern Chinese life. Share personal experiences with technology or social change.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
现在用手机支付越来越方便了，我基本上不带现金出门了。
Arts & Cultural Events
⭐ NEW交流文艺活动信息
NEW at L3: Discuss performances, competitions, and cultural shows. Read event posters. Briefly introduce a cultural activity you attended or watched.
Key Vocabulary
Example sentence:
上周我去看了一场钢琴表演，演员弹得非常好，我特别感动。
Speaking Strategies for HSK 3
The speaking section at HSK 3 requires more than one sentence. Use these frameworks for any topic:
The 3-part structure: What → Why → How/Result
For any task, describe what you do/think, explain why, and add a result or feeling. E.g., 'I like hiking (what) because it exercises the body and the scenery is beautiful (why). Last month I climbed a mountain and felt very refreshed (result).'
Use HSK 3 connectors for natural flow
虽然…可是 (although…but), 不但…而且 (not only…but also), 因为…所以 (because…therefore), 如果…就 (if…then) — these 4 connectors alone can upgrade any answer from elementary to pre-intermediate.
Prepare 2–3 sentences for each new domain
The 9 new topics (Housing, Office Work, Environment, etc.) will catch unprepared students off guard. Write and memorize 2–3 solid sentences for each new domain before exam day.
Continue with HSK 3
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