Core-level XPS studies of zinc-blende MnTe (grown by MBE) have been performed for the first time. Crystal surface was cleaned in situ by Ar+ ion sputtering followed by annealing. Binding energies (BE) of the zb-MnTe-related contributions to the Mn 2p and Te 3d spectra agree well with those of hexagonal MnTe and the other Mn chalcogenides. Low BE component of Mn 2p spectrum, indicative of univalent Mn in Mn subtelluride (Mn2Te), was revealed. Mn 2p spectrum exhibits strong satellites associated with parent lines of zb-MnTe and Mn2Te. Rising intensity of the Mn 2p satellite for divalent Mn (bound to chalcogen) with atomic number of ligand (from MnO to zb-MnTe) has been shown, thus suggesting classification of zb-MnTe as the charge-transfer compound. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.