Add it to Claude
On claude.ai and the Claude apps
- Choose Add to Claude to open Purlingual in Claude’s connector directory, or search for Purlingual in Claude’s Customize › Connectors.
- If it isn’t connected already, choose Connect. You don’t need a Purlingual account.
- Start a chat and ask about HSK. Claude uses Purlingual when your question needs it.
Add it on the web or the desktop app; it then works in the Claude mobile apps too. You can also add it as a custom connector: choose Add custom connector in Customize › Connectors, name it Purlingual, and use the URL https://purlingual.com/mcp.
On a Team or Enterprise plan
An owner enables it for the organization: in Organization settings › Connectors, choose Browse connectors, find Purlingual and choose Add to your team. Members then find it under Customize › Connectors and choose Connect. Members can’t add it until an owner has.
In Claude Code
Run claude mcp add --transport http purlingual https://purlingual.com/mcp.
Things to ask
- “Which HSK 3.0 level is 环境, and was it in the old HSK?”
- “List the HSK 2 words that weren’t on the HSK 2.0 lists.”
- “What’s on the new HSK 4 exam, part by part?”
- “Quiz me with 5 HSK 3 reading questions, one at a time, and tell me the answer after each.”
- “Which HSK 3 grammar points cover 把 sentences?”
What it does
Purlingual gives Claude five tools. They only read; none of them changes anything.
lookup_hsk_word: Finds a word’s HSK 3.0 level, pinyin, meaning and HSK 2.0 level, from Chinese, pinyin or English.list_hsk_words: Lists one level’s words (1–6, or 7–9), 50 at a time, optionally only words that weren’t HSK 2.0 entries, or words containing a character.get_hsk_exam_format: Gives the new written exam’s sections, parts, question counts and timing for levels 1–6.list_hsk_grammar_points: Lists the official grammar points for levels 1–6, with short English descriptions.get_hsk_practice_questions: Gives up to 10 exam-style reading and writing questions for levels 1–6, with answers.
What it doesn’t do yet
- It has no sign-in, so it can’t see or save progress from a Purlingual account.
- Practice covers these exam parts: reading parts 2–4 at HSK 1 and 2, reading parts 1–3 at HSK 3, 5 and 6, and reading parts 1 and 3 at HSK 4, plus the missing-character writing part at HSK 2 and 3. There’s no listening, speaking, picture or essay practice. The questions come from a fixed set of up to 25 per part (only 6 for HSK 1 reading part 4).
- The exam format covers levels 1–6. The HSK 7–9 exam isn’t included.
Calls are limited to keep the service fair: per connection in Claude Code, and overall in claude.ai and the Claude apps. Over the limit, the tool tells Claude how long to wait.
Where the information comes from
- Word lists and grammar points: the new HSK syllabus (新版HSK考试大纲, 2025) from the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CTI). Grammar descriptions in English are written by Purlingual.
- Exam format: CTI’s sample paper for the new HSK levels 1–6, published December 2025, in effect from July 2026.
- Meanings: Purlingual’s own for levels 1–6. Some HSK 7–9 meanings are shortened from CC-CEDICT, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Practice questions: written by Purlingual in the format of the new exam. They aren’t official exam questions.
Privacy
Purlingual receives only what Claude sends to a tool: for example the word you looked up or the level you asked for, plus the name of the app calling it. It doesn’t receive your conversation, your Claude account or your name, and it doesn’t store IP addresses. See our privacy policy.
Help
Something wrong or missing? Email support@purlingual.com.
Purlingual on iPhone
Purlingual is also an iPhone app for HSK 3.0: daily lessons, reviews, and practice for every part of the exam, including listening and speaking.