How many words would someone need to know to major in Mandarin?

[Miller9011]

If someone knew 3000 characters and 10,000 words would he be considered more fluent, this in regards to reading and writing, to that of a student with a BA? What about a masters and doctor's program? Basically I would like to know where they stand.

[HashiriKata]

I don't think you can define fluency in a language by numbers. In addition, people on a doctor or master programmes are not necessarily better in the language compared to a BA graduate.

[gato]

I think he's talking about someone majoring in Chinese in a Western university, right? If that's the case, a Master's/PhD student should know more Chinese than a BA student. 3000 characters and 10,000 words is kind of high for a BA, as far I can tell. With that kind of vocabulary, you would be able to read most Chinese novels and almost all newspapers, which I do not think is the case with most Chinese BA graduates.

[Celso Pin]

a native chinese (or any other nationality), at the end of high school have a vocabulary around 6k to 9k words... studies shows this vocabulary DECREASE after undergraduate studies.

Remember, the vocabulary for HSK is around 8,5k words (im telling about level 11)

I have read once (cant remember where), in china, literacy in country is around 1500 and in cities 2000.

[Liu Bang]

They may know 2000 characters but they most likely know substantially more words.

Remember comparing characters and words is comparing apples and oranges.

[zhenhui]

Interesting... I always wonder how many Chinese characters I actually know. I moved to Singapore when I was 5, cried in school for a couple of months because I have no idea what anyone is saying. But I guess I can be considered a native speaker?

a native chinese (or any other nationality), at the end of high school have a vocabulary around 6k to 9k words... studies shows this vocabulary DECREASE after undergraduate studies.

I've been watching alot of China drama series to maintain my Chinese, nobody speaks them here :/

Anyone know how to roughly gauge a person's vocabulary? Chinese specially?

Cheers,

Diana/贞慧

[Celso Pin]

I think a practical (maybe not the best) way to "measure" ones vocabulary is to take the HSK... there is a (range) number of words (not characters!!!!) assigned to each level.

[zhenhui]

Hi Celso,

May I ask what HSK is? I've never heard of this before.

Thanks

Diana/贞慧

[HashiriKata]

Can I reply?

HSK stands for

汉语水平考试 (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi)

[zhenhui]

Thanks HashiriKata,

Is it like held by a committee? Or only in some country?

I've never heard of it =/

=0)

[zhenhui]

Oh no worries, I found the answer here

http://www.studyinchina.net.cn/hsk/c_HSK.html

Thanks!