At which age do children typically have a receptive vocabulary of around 1,000 words?

Children typically have a receptive vocabulary of around 1,000 words by the age of 3 years. During this period, they are rapidly acquiring new words and understanding more complex language. At this age, many children can follow simple instructions, answer questions, and engage in brief conversations, which reflects their growing comprehension abilities.

By the age of 2, children generally have a smaller vocabulary and are beginning to combine words but may only understand around 200 to 300 words. By age 4, their vocabulary continues to expand significantly, possibly reaching 1,500 words or more. By age 5, children often have an even greater vocabulary and understanding of language structures, typically progressing beyond 2,000 words. Thus, 3 years is the pivotal age at which they have a receptive vocabulary close to 1,000 words.