MOE Chinese Vocabulary Lists for P1-P6 (2026)

Understanding what Chinese vocabulary the MOE expects at each level helps you know if your child is on track. Here's a practical breakdown of the MOE Chinese syllabus vocabulary expectations.

MOE Chinese Vocabulary by Level

P1: Building the Foundation (~300 characters)

P1 introduces basic characters for daily life:

• Family: 爸爸、妈妈、哥哥、姐姐、弟弟、妹妹
• School: 老师、同学、学校、教室、课本
• Body: 手、脚、头、眼睛、耳朵、嘴巴
• Numbers: 一 through 十, 百
• Nature: 天、地、水、火、山、花、草、树

P2: Expanding (~500 cumulative characters)

P2 adds more descriptive vocabulary:

• Actions: 跑、跳、走、看、听、说、写、读
• Feelings: 开心、难过、生气、害怕、紧张
• Food: 饭、面、菜、水果、牛奶、鸡蛋
• Places: 公园、图书馆、超市、医院

P3: Getting Serious (~800 cumulative characters)

P3 is where many children start struggling — the vocabulary jump is significant:

• Abstract concepts: 希望、努力、勇敢、诚实
• Composition words: 突然、终于、渐渐、立刻
• Time expressions: 刚才、以前、将来、从此以后

P4-P5: Building Depth (~1,200 cumulative characters)

Vocabulary becomes more nuanced:

• Idioms: 一心一意、三心二意、七上八下
• Advanced descriptions: 精致、壮观、幽默、焦虑
• Connectors: 虽然...但是、不但...而且、因为...所以

P6: PSLE Ready (~1,500 cumulative characters)

P6 focuses on consolidation and exam readiness:

• Higher-level idioms: 刻骨铭心、心旷神怡、迫不及待
• Formal vocabulary: 环保、社会、责任、影响
• Composition excellence: 描写、叙述、抒情 techniques

The Vocabulary Gap Problem

Here's the challenge: the MOE syllabus is cumulative. If your child doesn't solidify P2 vocabulary, P3 becomes harder. If P3 vocabulary is shaky, P4 feels overwhelming. By P5, children who haven't maintained their vocabulary are spending tuition time relearning words they should already know.

How to Stay on Track

1. Regular review — 10-15 minutes daily beats weekend cramming sessions
2. Spaced repetition — Review words at increasing intervals to lock them in
3. Don't just memorise — Use words in sentences and conversations
4. Track progress — Know which words your child has mastered and which need work

The Right Tool for the Job

The MOE syllabus vocabulary is well-defined. The challenge isn't knowing what to learn — it's remembering it all. A structured flashcard system aligned to each level can make the difference between a child who struggles with vocabulary and one who has it locked down.