New HSK (3.0) · 2025 syllabus
HSK 4 word list
HSK 4 adds 1,000 words to the 1,000 from earlier levels, for 2,000 in total. The new words are listed below; switch to “All words” to see the full list up to HSK 4.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Old HSK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 啊 | ā | ah; oh (surprise) | 3 |
| 爱情 | àiqíng | love (romantic) | 4 |
| 爱心 | àixīn | kindness; caring heart | 5 |
| 安检 | ānjiǎn | security check | – |
| 安排 | ānpái | to arrange; arrangement | 4 |
| 按 | àn | to press; according to | – |
| 按时 | ànshí | on time | 4 |
| 按照 | ànzhào | according to | 4 |
| 白酒 | báijiǔ | baijiu (Chinese spirit) | – |
| 办公 | bàngōng | to work (in an office) | – |
| 办理 | bànlǐ | to handle; to process (paperwork) | 5 |
| 办事 | bànshì | to run errands; to get things done | – |
| 棒 | bàng | great; excellent | 5 |
| 保护 | bǎohù | to protect | 4 |
| 保证 | bǎozhèng | to guarantee; to promise | 4 |
| 抱 | bào | to hold in one's arms; to hug | 4 |
| 报考 | bàokǎo | to register for an exam | – |
| 报名 | bàomíng | to sign up; to register | 4 |
| 抱歉 | bàoqiàn | sorry; to apologize | 4 |
| 背 | bēi | to carry on one's back | 5 |
| 背包 | bēibāo | backpack | – |
| 北部 | běibù | northern part | – |
| 倍 | bèi | times (multiplier), as in 两倍 "twice as much" | 4 |
| 本科 | běnkē | undergraduate (degree) | 5 |
| 本来 | běnlái | originally; at first | 4 |
| 笨 | bèn | stupid; clumsy | 4 |
| 鼻子 | bízi | nose | 3 |
| 笔试 | bǐshì | written exam | – |
| 毕业 | bìyè | to graduate | 4 |
| 毕业生 | bìyèshēng | graduate | – |
| 便于 | biànyú | easy to; convenient for | 6 |
| 标准 | biāozhǔn | standard | 4 |
| 表 | biǎo | form; table; watch | – |
| 表格 | biǎogé | form; table | 4 |
| 表示 | biǎoshì | to express; to show | 3 |
| 表现 | biǎoxiàn | to perform (well or badly); behaviour | 5 |
| 表扬 | biǎoyáng | to praise | 4 |
| 饼干 | bǐnggān | biscuit; cracker | 4 |
| 并 | bìng | and; (before a negative) not at all | – |
| 并且 | bìngqiě | and; moreover | 4 |
| 播放 | bōfàng | to play (video, audio); to broadcast | 6 |
| 博士 | bóshì | doctor (PhD) | 4 |
| 不必 | búbì | no need to | 5 |
| 不便 | búbiàn | inconvenient | – |
| 不断 | búduàn | continuously; constant | 5 |
| 不够 | búgòu | not enough | – |
| 不过 | búguò | but; however | 4 |
| 不论 | búlùn | no matter (what, who, how) | – |
| 步 | bù | step | – |
| 部 | bù | (measure word for films, books, phones) | – |
| 不得不 | bùdébù | to have no choice but to | 4 |
| 部分 | bùfen | part | 4 |
| 不管 | bùguǎn | no matter (what, who, how) | 4 |
| 不光 | bùguāng | not only | – |
| 不仅 | bùjǐn | not only | 4 |
| 不满 | bùmǎn | dissatisfied | – |
| 部门 | bùmén | department | 5 |
| 不如 | bùrú | not as good as | 5 |
| 擦 | cā | to wipe; to rub | 4 |
| 猜 | cāi | to guess | 4 |
| 材料 | cáiliào | materials; documents | 4 |
| 参观 | cānguān | to visit (a place) | 4 |
| 参赛 | cānsài | to take part in a competition | – |
| 餐厅 | cāntīng | restaurant; dining room | 5 |
| 操场 | cāochǎng | sports ground; playground | 5 |
| 厕所 | cèsuǒ | toilet | 5 |
| 查看 | chákàn | to check; to look over | – |
| 茶叶 | cháyè | tea leaves | – |
| 查找 | cházhǎo | to look for; to search | – |
| 差点儿 | chàdiǎnr | almost; nearly (happened) | – |
| 产生 | chǎnshēng | to produce; to cause | 5 |
| 厂 | chǎng | factory | – |
| 场 | chǎng | (measure word for games, films, performances, rain) | 4 |
| 超过 | chāoguò | to exceed; to overtake | 4 |
| 车速 | chēsù | speed (of a vehicle) | – |
| 车位 | chēwèi | parking space | – |
| 城 | chéng | city; town | – |
| 乘 | chéng | to ride; to take (transport) | 5 |
| 成功 | chénggōng | to succeed; success | 4 |
| 乘客 | chéngkè | passenger | – |
| 诚实 | chéngshí | honest | 4 |
| 成为 | chéngwéi | to become | 4 |
| 乘坐 | chéngzuò | to take (a plane, train) | 4 |
| 吃惊 | chījīng | to be surprised | 4 |
| 迟 | chí | late | – |
| 重 | chóng | again; once more | 5 |
| 重新 | chóngxīn | again; anew | 4 |
| 出差 | chūchāi | to go on a business trip | 4 |
| 出口 | chūkǒu | exit; export | 5 |
| 出现 | chūxiàn | to appear | 3 |
| 出行 | chūxíng | to go out; to travel | – |
| 出租 | chūzū | to rent out | – |
| 厨房 | chúfáng | kitchen | 3 |
| 厨师 | chúshī | chef; cook | – |
| 窗 | chuāng | window | – |
| 窗户 | chuānghu | window | 4 |
| 吹 | chuī | to blow | 5 |
| 词语 | cíyǔ | words and phrases | 3 |
| 此 | cǐ | this | – |
| 此次 | cǐcì | this time | – |
| 此外 | cǐwài | besides; in addition | 5 |
| 从此 | cóngcǐ | from then on | 5 |
| 从来 | cónglái | always; (with a negative) never | 4 |
| 从中 | cóngzhōng | from it; from among them | – |
| 粗 | cū | thick; rough | – |
| 粗心 | cūxīn | careless | 4 |
| 村 | cūn | village | – |
| 存 | cún | to save; to store; to deposit | 5 |
| 错过 | cuòguò | to miss (a chance, a bus) | – |
| 错误 | cuòwù | mistake; wrong | 5 |
| 答应 | dāying | to agree; to promise; to answer | 5 |
| 答 | dá | to answer | – |
| 答案 | dá’àn | answer | 4 |
| 达到 | dádào | to reach; to achieve | 5 |
| 打招呼 | dǎzhāohu | to greet; to say hello | 5 |
| 打败 | dǎbài | to defeat | – |
| 打工 | dǎgōng | to work a part-time job | 5 |
| 打扰 | dǎrǎo | to disturb | 4 |
| 打印 | dǎyìn | to print | 4 |
| 打印机 | dǎyìnjī | printer | – |
| 打折 | dǎzhé | to give a discount | 4 |
| 打针 | dǎzhēn | to give or get an injection | 4 |
| 大巴 | dàbā | coach (long-distance bus) | – |
| 大大 | dàdà | greatly | – |
| 大夫 | dàifu | doctor | 4 |
| 大量 | dàliàng | a large amount of | – |
| 大赛 | dàsài | big competition | – |
| 大厅 | dàtīng | hall; lobby | – |
| 大约 | dàyuē | about; approximately | 4 |
| 大自然 | dàzìrán | nature | – |
| 待 | dāi | to stay | – |
| 戴 | dài | to wear (glasses, a hat, a watch) | 4 |
| 袋子 | dàizi | bag | – |
| 单位 | dānwèi | workplace; unit (of measurement) | 5 |
| 当 | dāng | to work as; to be; when (当…的时候) | 4 |
| 当时 | dāngshí | at that time | 4 |
| 刀 | dāo | knife | 4 |
| 导游 | dǎoyóu | tour guide; to guide a tour | 4 |
| 倒 | dào | to pour; on the contrary | 5 |
| 道 | dào | (measure word for questions, dishes, doors) | – |
| 到底 | dàodǐ | in the end; (in questions) after all | 4 |
| 到来 | dàolái | to arrive; arrival | – |
| 道路 | dàolù | road; path | – |
| 道歉 | dàoqiàn | to apologize | 4 |
| 得意 | déyì | pleased with oneself | 4 |
| 登机 | dēngjī | to board a plane | – |
| 等 | děng | and so on; etc. | 4 |
| 等到 | děngdào | by the time; until | – |
| 低 | dī | low | 3 |
| 低价 | dījià | low price | – |
| 低温 | dīwēn | low temperature | – |
| 低于 | dīyú | lower than | – |
| 底 | dǐ | bottom; end (of a month, year) | 4 |
| 底下 | dǐxia | under; below | – |
| 地球 | dìqiú | the earth | 4 |
| 地址 | dìzhǐ | address | 4 |
| 点名 | diǎnmíng | to call the roll | – |
| 点头 | diǎntóu | to nod | 5 |
| 电动车 | diàndòngchē | e-bike; electric vehicle | – |
| 电视剧 | diànshìjù | TV series | – |
| 掉 | diào | to fall; to drop | 4 |
| 调查 | diàochá | to investigate; survey | 4 |
| 订 | dìng | to book; to order | – |
| 定 | dìng | to decide; to fix | – |
| 东部 | dōngbù | eastern part | – |
| 动车 | dòngchē | high-speed train (D or C train) | – |
| 动作 | dòngzuò | movement; action | 4 |
| 读者 | dúzhě | reader | – |
| 堵车 | dǔchē | traffic jam | 4 |
| 度假 | dùjià | to go on holiday | – |
| 肚子 | dùzi | belly; stomach | 4 |
| 短信 | duǎnxìn | text message | 5 |
| 队 | duì | team; line (queue) | – |
| 对方 | duìfāng | the other person; the other side | 5 |
| 对面 | duìmiàn | opposite; across from | 4 |
| 对于 | duìyú | regarding; for | 5 |
| 队员 | duìyuán | team member | – |
| 队长 | duìzhǎng | team leader; captain | – |
| 顿 | dùn | (measure word for meals) | 4 |
| 多么 | duōme | how (very) | 3 |
| 多数 | duōshù | majority; most | – |
| 多样 | duōyàng | varied; diverse | – |
| 而 | ér | and; but; while | 4 |
| 儿童 | értóng | child; children | 4 |
| 发出 | fāchū | to send out; to give off | – |
| 发送 | fāsòng | to send (a message) | – |
| 法 | fǎ | law; method | – |
| 法律 | fǎlǜ | law | 4 |
| 翻译 | fānyì | to translate; translator | 4 |
| 烦 | fán | annoyed; to bother | – |
| 烦恼 | fánnǎo | worried; worries | 4 |
| 反对 | fǎnduì | to oppose; to be against | 4 |
| 方面 | fāngmiàn | aspect; side | 4 |
| 方式 | fāngshì | way; method | 5 |
| 房东 | fángdōng | landlord | 5 |
| 房租 | fángzū | rent | – |
| 放弃 | fàngqì | to give up | 4 |
| 放松 | fàngsōng | to relax | 5 |
| 费 | fèi | fee; to cost | – |
| 费用 | fèiyong | cost; expenses | 5 |
| 分数 | fēnshù | score; marks | – |
| 分为 | fēnwéi | to be divided into | – |
| 份 | fèn | (measure word for portions, newspapers, documents, jobs) | 4 |
| 丰富 | fēngfù | rich; plentiful | 4 |
| 风景 | fēngjǐng | scenery; landscape | 4 |
| 否则 | fǒuzé | otherwise | 4 |
| 幅 | fú | (measure word for paintings, pictures) | 5 |
| 符合 | fúhé | to match; to meet (requirements) | 4 |
| 付 | fù | to pay | – |
| 父母 | fùmǔ | parents | – |
| 父女 | fùnǚ | father and daughter | – |
| 父亲 | fùqīn | father | 4 |
| 复印 | fùyìn | to photocopy | 4 |
| 复杂 | fùzá | complicated | 4 |
| 负责 | fùzé | to be responsible for; responsible | 4 |
| 负责人 | fùzérén | person in charge | – |
| 父子 | fùzǐ | father and son | – |
| 改 | gǎi | to change; to correct | – |
| 改变 | gǎibiàn | to change | 4 |
| 干 | gān | dry | 4 |
| 干杯 | gānbēi | cheers!; to make a toast | 4 |
| 赶 | gǎn | to hurry; to rush | – |
| 敢 | gǎn | to dare | 3 |
| 感 | gǎn | feeling; sense (as in 幸福感) | – |
| 感动 | gǎndòng | moved; to move (emotionally) | 4 |
| 赶紧 | gǎnjǐn | quickly; hurry | 5 |
| 感觉 | gǎnjué | feeling; to feel | 4 |
| 赶快 | gǎnkuài | quickly; at once | 5 |
| 感情 | gǎnqíng | feelings; emotion | 4 |
| 感人 | gǎnrén | moving; touching | – |
| 赶上 | gǎnshàng | to catch up with; to make it in time for | – |
| 感受 | gǎnshòu | to feel; feeling | 5 |
| 感谢 | gǎnxiè | to thank | 4 |
| 干活儿 | gànhuór | to work; to do manual work | 5 |
| 钢琴 | gāngqín | piano | – |
| 高价 | gāojià | high price | – |
| 高考 | gāokǎo | national university entrance exam (gaokao) | 6 |
| 高速 | gāosù | high-speed | 5 |
| 高温 | gāowēn | high temperature | – |
| 高于 | gāoyú | higher than | – |
| 胳膊 | gēbo | arm | 5 |
| 歌声 | gēshēng | singing | – |
| 歌手 | gēshǒu | singer | – |
| 各 | gè | each; every | 4 |
| 各地 | gèdì | all over; everywhere | – |
| 各个 | gègè | each; every | – |
| 各位 | gèwèi | everyone (polite address) | – |
| 各种 | gèzhǒng | all kinds of | – |
| 更加 | gèngjiā | even more | 5 |
| 工厂 | gōngchǎng | factory | 5 |
| 功夫 | gōngfu | time and effort; skill; kung fu | 5 |
| 公共 | gōnggòng | public | – |
| 功课 | gōngkè | homework; lessons | 6 |
| 公里 | gōnglǐ | kilometre | 4 |
| 公路 | gōnglù | road; highway | – |
| 工人 | gōngrén | worker | 5 |
| 工资 | gōngzī | wages; salary | 4 |
| 共 | gòng | in total; together | – |
| 共同 | gòngtóng | common; shared; together | 4 |
| 够 | gòu | enough | 4 |
| 购买 | gòumǎi | to buy (formal) | – |
| 购物 | gòuwù | to shop | 4 |
| 估计 | gūjì | to estimate; to reckon | 4 |
| 姑娘 | gūniang | girl; young woman | 5 |
| 鼓励 | gǔlì | to encourage | 4 |
| 顾客 | gùkè | customer | 4 |
| 故意 | gùyì | on purpose | 4 |
| 挂 | guà | to hang | 4 |
| 关键 | guānjiàn | key; crucial | 4 |
| 观看 | guānkàn | to watch | – |
| 观众 | guānzhòng | audience; viewers | 4 |
| 管 | guǎn | to manage; to be in charge of; to mind (someone's business) | – |
| 管理 | guǎnlǐ | to manage; management | 4 |
| 光 | guāng | light; used up; only | 4 |
| 广播 | guǎngbō | broadcast; to announce | 4 |
| 广告 | guǎnggào | advertisement | 4 |
| 逛 | guàng | to stroll; to go window shopping | 4 |
| 规定 | guīdìng | to stipulate; rule | 4 |
| 国籍 | guójí | nationality | 5 |
| 国际 | guójì | international | 4 |
| 果汁 | guǒzhī | fruit juice | 3 |
| 过程 | guòchéng | process | 4 |
| 海洋 | hǎiyáng | ocean | 4 |
| 害羞 | hàixiū | shy | 4 |
| 寒假 | hánjià | winter holiday | 4 |
| 寒冷 | hánlěng | cold; freezing | – |
| 喊 | hǎn | to shout; to call out | 5 |
| 汗 | hàn | sweat | 4 |
| 航班 | hángbān | flight | 4 |
| 好处 | hǎochù | benefit; advantage | 4 |
| 好好 | hǎohǎo | properly; well; to do it carefully | – |
| 好笑 | hǎoxiào | funny | – |
| 合格 | hégé | qualified; up to standard | 4 |
| 盒子 | hézi | box | 4 |
| 红包 | hóngbāo | red envelope (money as a gift) | 6 |
| 厚 | hòu | thick | 4 |
| 后悔 | hòuhuǐ | to regret | 4 |
| 忽然 | hūrán | suddenly | 4 |
| 互联网 | hùliánwǎng | internet | 6 |
| 护士 | hùshi | nurse | 4 |
| 互相 | hùxiāng | each other | 4 |
| 话剧 | huàjù | stage play; drama | – |
| 怀疑 | huáiyí | to doubt; to suspect | 4 |
| 坏处 | huàichù | disadvantage; harm | – |
| 环保 | huánbǎo | environmentally friendly; environmental protection | – |
| 换乘 | huànchéng | to transfer (between trains, buses) | – |
| 回复 | huífù | to reply | – |
| 回信 | huíxìn | to write back; reply letter | – |
| 回忆 | huíyì | to recall; memory | 4 |
| 会员 | huìyuán | member | – |
| 活 | huó | to live; alive | – |
| 活动 | huódòng | activity; event | 4 |
| 活泼 | huópō | lively | 4 |
| 火 | huǒ | fire; popular (slang: "hot") | 4 |
| 货 | huò | goods | – |
| 获得 | huòdé | to get; to win | 4 |
| 获奖 | huòjiǎng | to win a prize | – |
| 获取 | huòqǔ | to obtain | – |
| 基本 | jīběn | basic | 5 |
| 基本上 | jīběnshàng | basically | – |
| 基础 | jīchǔ | foundation; basis | 4 |
| 激动 | jīdòng | excited | 4 |
| 积极 | jījí | active; positive | 4 |
| 积累 | jīlěi | to accumulate; to build up | 4 |
| 及时 | jíshí | timely; in time | 4 |
| 即使 | jíshǐ | even if | 4 |
| 既 | jì | since; both… and… | – |
| 寄 | jì | to send by post | 4 |
| 计划 | jìhuà | plan; to plan | 4 |
| 既然 | jìrán | since; now that | 4 |
| 技术 | jìshù | technology; technique | 4 |
| 继续 | jìxù | to continue | 4 |
| 记者 | jìzhě | journalist; reporter | 4 |
| 加班 | jiābān | to work overtime | 4 |
| 家具 | jiājù | furniture | 4 |
| 加快 | jiākuài | to speed up | – |
| 加强 | jiāqiáng | to strengthen | – |
| 加入 | jiārù | to join | – |
| 加上 | jiāshàng | plus; in addition | – |
| 家庭 | jiātíng | family; household | 5 |
| 家乡 | jiāxiāng | hometown | 5 |
| 加油 | jiāyóu | to refuel; come on! (cheering) | – |
| 加油站 | jiāyóuzhàn | petrol station | 4 |
| 家长 | jiāzhǎng | parent; guardian | – |
| 假 | jiǎ | fake; false | 4 |
| 价格 | jiàgé | price | 4 |
| 价钱 | jiàqián | price | – |
| 假日 | jiàrì | holiday; day off | – |
| 减 | jiǎn | to reduce; to subtract | – |
| 减轻 | jiǎnqīng | to lighten; to ease | – |
| 减少 | jiǎnshǎo | to reduce; to decrease | 4 |
| 健身 | jiànshēn | to work out; fitness | – |
| 健身房 | jiànshēnfáng | gym | 5 |
| 建议 | jiànyì | to suggest; suggestion | 5 |
| 江 | jiāng | river (large) | – |
| 将 | jiāng | will; (formal) 把 | – |
| 将来 | jiānglái | future; in the future | 4 |
| 将要 | jiāngyào | will; to be going to | – |
| 奖 | jiǎng | prize; award | – |
| 奖金 | jiǎngjīn | bonus; prize money | 4 |
| 奖学金 | jiǎngxuéjīn | scholarship | – |
| 降 | jiàng | to fall; to drop | – |
| 降低 | jiàngdī | to lower; to reduce | 4 |
| 降价 | jiàngjià | to cut the price | – |
| 降落 | jiàngluò | to land | 5 |
| 降温 | jiàngwēn | to cool down; temperature drop | – |
| 交 | jiāo | to hand in; to pay; to make (friends) | 4 |
| 骄傲 | jiāo’ào | proud; arrogant | 4 |
| 交警 | jiāojǐng | traffic police | – |
| 交流 | jiāoliú | to exchange (ideas); to communicate | 4 |
| 郊区 | jiāoqū | suburbs | 5 |
| 交通 | jiāotōng | traffic; transport | 4 |
| 教练 | jiàoliàn | coach (sports) | 5 |
| 教师 | jiàoshī | teacher | – |
| 教授 | jiàoshòu | professor | 4 |
| 教学 | jiàoxué | teaching | – |
| 教育 | jiàoyù | education; to educate | 4 |
| 叫作 | jiàozuò | to be called | – |
| 街道 | jiēdào | street; neighbourhood | 3 |
| 接受 | jiēshòu | to accept | 4 |
| 接着 | jiēzhe | next; then; to continue | 5 |
| 结果 | jiéguǒ | result; as a result | 4 |
| 节假日 | jiéjiàrì | public holiday | – |
| 节约 | jiéyuē | to save (resources); to economize | 4 |
| 结账 | jiézhàng | to pay the bill | 5 |
| 解释 | jiěshì | to explain; explanation | 4 |
| 今后 | jīnhòu | from now on | – |
| 仅 | jǐn | only | – |
| 尽管 | jǐnguǎn | although; even though | 4 |
| 仅仅 | jǐnjǐn | only; merely | – |
| 紧张 | jǐnzhāng | nervous; tense | 4 |
| 进入 | jìnrù | to enter | – |
| 进行 | jìnxíng | to carry out; to be in progress | 4 |
| 禁止 | jìnzhǐ | to forbid; to ban | 4 |
| 精彩 | jīngcǎi | wonderful; brilliant | 4 |
| 经济 | jīngjì | economy; economic | 4 |
| 京剧 | jīngjù | Peking opera | 4 |
| 经历 | jīnglì | to experience; experience | 4 |
| 经验 | jīngyàn | experience (knowledge gained) | 4 |
| 警察 | jǐngchá | police officer | 4 |
| 景点 | jǐngdiǎn | tourist attraction | – |
| 景区 | jǐngqū | scenic area | – |
| 景色 | jǐngsè | scenery; view | 5 |
| 竟然 | jìngrán | unexpectedly; to one's surprise | 4 |
| 竞争 | jìngzhēng | to compete; competition | 4 |
| 镜子 | jìngzi | mirror | 4 |
| 究竟 | jiūjìng | (in questions) exactly; after all | 4 |
| 就是 | jiùshì | exactly; just; that is | – |
| 举 | jǔ | to raise; to lift | 5 |
| 举办 | jǔbàn | to hold (an event) | 4 |
| 举例 | jǔlì | to give an example | – |
| 举行 | jǔxíng | to hold (a meeting, ceremony) | 3 |
| 聚 | jù | to gather; to get together | – |
| 聚餐 | jùcān | to have a meal together | – |
| 聚会 | jùhuì | party; gathering | 5 |
| 拒绝 | jùjué | to refuse | 4 |
| 距离 | jùlí | distance; to be away from | 4 |
| 剧院 | jùyuàn | theatre | – |
| 开玩笑 | kāi wánxiào | to joke; to make fun of | 4 |
| 看法 | kànfǎ | opinion; view | 4 |
| 烤 | kǎo | to roast; to bake; to grill | – |
| 考虑 | kǎolǜ | to consider; to think over | 4 |
| 考生 | kǎoshēng | exam candidate | – |
| 棵 | kē | (measure word for trees, plants) | 4 |
| 科技 | kējì | science and technology | – |
| 科学 | kēxué | science; scientific | 4 |
| 咳 | ké | to cough | – |
| 咳嗽 | késou | to cough | 4 |
| 可惜 | kěxī | what a pity | 4 |
| 克 | kè | gram | 5 |
| 课程 | kèchéng | course; curriculum | 5 |
| 客气 | kèqi | polite | – |
| 课堂 | kètáng | classroom; class | – |
| 客厅 | kètīng | living room | 5 |
| 肯定 | kěndìng | certainly; to affirm | 4 |
| 空 | kōng | empty | – |
| 空气 | kōngqì | air | 4 |
| 恐怕 | kǒngpà | I'm afraid (that) | 4 |
| 空 | kòng | free time; free (not busy) | – |
| 口语 | kǒuyǔ | spoken language | – |
| 苦 | kǔ | bitter; hard (life) | 4 |
| 快餐 | kuàicān | fast food | – |
| 快递 | kuàidì | courier; express delivery | – |
| 快速 | kuàisù | fast | – |
| 困 | kùn | sleepy | 4 |
| 困难 | kùnnan | difficult; difficulty | 4 |
| 拉 | lā | to pull | 4 |
| 垃圾 | lājī | rubbish; garbage | – |
| 辣 | là | spicy; hot | 4 |
| 来不及 | láibují | not enough time; too late | 4 |
| 来得及 | láidejí | there's still time | 4 |
| 懒 | lǎn | lazy | 4 |
| 浪费 | làngfèi | to waste | 4 |
| 浪漫 | làngmàn | romantic | 4 |
| 老虎 | lǎohǔ | tiger | 4 |
| 老家 | lǎojiā | hometown | – |
| 老年 | lǎonián | old age | – |
| 老是 | lǎoshì | always (often complaining) | – |
| 冷静 | lěngjìng | calm | 4 |
| 理发 | lǐfà | to get a haircut | 4 |
| 理解 | lǐjiě | to understand | 4 |
| 礼貌 | lǐmào | polite; manners | 4 |
| 理想 | lǐxiǎng | ideal; dream | 4 |
| 厉害 | lìhai | amazing; fierce; serious | 4 |
| 力气 | lìqi | strength | 4 |
| 例如 | lìrú | for example | 4 |
| 例子 | lìzi | example | – |
| 俩 | liǎ | two; both (spoken, = 两个) | 4 |
| 连 | lián | even (连…都…) | 4 |
| 联系 | liánxì | to contact; connection | 4 |
| 凉 | liáng | cool; cold | – |
| 量 | liáng | to measure | – |
| 两 | liǎng | liang (50 grams) | 2 |
| 亮 | liàng | bright; to light up | 4 |
| 列 | liè | (measure word for trains); to list | – |
| 零下 | língxià | below zero | – |
| 零花钱 | línghuāqián | pocket money | – |
| 零钱 | língqián | small change | 5 |
| 零食 | língshí | snacks | 5 |
| 另 | lìng | another; other | – |
| 另外 | lìngwài | in addition; another | 4 |
| 留 | liú | to stay; to leave (behind); to keep | 4 |
| 流 | liú | to flow | – |
| 流利 | liúlì | fluent | 4 |
| 留下 | liúxia | to leave behind; to stay behind | – |
| 流行 | liúxíng | popular; to be in fashion | 4 |
| 路过 | lùguò | to pass by | – |
| 旅馆 | lǚguǎn | hotel; inn | – |
| 旅客 | lǚkè | traveller; passenger | – |
| 旅行 | lǚxíng | to travel; trip | – |
| 律师 | lǜshī | lawyer | 4 |
| 乱 | luàn | messy; at random | 4 |
| 落 | luò | to fall; to set (sun) | – |
| 麻烦 | máfan | troublesome; to trouble; trouble | 4 |
| 馒头 | mántou | steamed bun (plain) | 5 |
| 满 | mǎn | full | 4 |
| 毛巾 | máojīn | towel | 4 |
| 毛衣 | máoyī | sweater; jumper | – |
| 帽子 | màozi | hat; cap | 3 |
| 美 | měi | beautiful | – |
| 美好 | měihǎo | wonderful; happy (life, memories) | – |
| 美景 | měijǐng | beautiful scenery | – |
| 美丽 | měilì | beautiful | 4 |
| 美食 | měishí | good food; delicacies | – |
| 梦 | mèng | dream | 4 |
| 梦想 | mèngxiǎng | dream; to dream of | 6 |
| 密码 | mìmǎ | password; PIN | 4 |
| 免费 | miǎnfèi | free (of charge) | 4 |
| 面对 | miànduì | to face | 5 |
| 面试 | miànshì | interview; to interview | – |
| 秒 | miǎo | second (of time) | 5 |
| 民族 | mínzú | ethnic group; nation | 4 |
| 末 | mò | end (of a period), as in 周末 | – |
| 母女 | mǔnǚ | mother and daughter | – |
| 母亲 | mǔqīn | mother | 4 |
| 母子 | mǔzǐ | mother and son | – |
| 目标 | mùbiāo | goal; target | 5 |
| 目的 | mùdì | purpose; aim | 4 |
| 目的地 | mùdìdì | destination | – |
| 目前 | mùqián | at present; currently | 5 |
| 耐心 | nàixīn | patient; patience | 4 |
| 南部 | nánbù | southern part | – |
| 难道 | nándào | (in rhetorical questions) do you mean to say…? | 4 |
| 男士 | nánshì | man; gentleman | – |
| 难受 | nánshòu | to feel unwell; uncomfortable; upset | 4 |
| 难忘 | nánwàng | unforgettable | – |
| 男性 | nánxìng | male | – |
| 内 | nèi | inside; within | 4 |
| 内容 | nèiróng | content | 4 |
| 内心 | nèixīn | inner heart; deep down | – |
| 能否 | néngfǒu | whether (can) | – |
| 能够 | nénggòu | can; to be able to | – |
| 能力 | nénglì | ability | 4 |
| 嗯 | ǹg | mm; uh-huh (yes) | 6 |
| 年底 | niándǐ | end of the year | – |
| 年龄 | niánlíng | age | 4 |
| 农村 | nóngcūn | countryside; village | 4 |
| 弄 | nòng | to do; to make; to fix | 4 |
| 女性 | nǚxìng | female; woman | – |
| 暖和 | nuǎnhuo | warm | 4 |
| 偶尔 | ǒu’ěr | occasionally | 4 |
| 拍 | pāi | to pat; to film; to take (a photo) | 5 |
| 排 | pái | row; to line up | – |
| 牌 | pái | sign; brand | – |
| 排队 | páiduì | to queue; to line up | 5 |
| 排球 | páiqiú | volleyball | 5 |
| 牌子 | páizi | sign; brand | – |
| 判断 | pànduàn | to judge; judgement | 4 |
| 陪 | péi | to keep someone company | 4 |
| 批评 | pīpíng | to criticize; criticism | 4 |
| 皮肤 | pífū | skin | 4 |
| 脾气 | píqi | temper; temperament | 4 |
| 皮鞋 | píxié | leather shoes | 5 |
| 篇 | piān | (measure word for essays, articles) | 4 |
| 片 | piàn | slice; piece; (measure word for flat pieces, areas) | 5 |
| 乒乓球 | pīngpāngqiú | table tennis | 4 |
| 平常 | píngcháng | usual; ordinary; usually | 5 |
| 破 | pò | broken; torn; to break | 4 |
| 葡萄 | pútao | grape | 3 |
| 葡萄酒 | pútaojiǔ | wine | – |
| 普遍 | pǔbiàn | widespread; common | 4 |
| 普通 | pǔtōng | ordinary; common | – |
| 普通话 | pǔtōnghuà | Mandarin; standard Chinese | 3 |
| 期 | qī | period; (measure word for issues, terms) | – |
| 期末 | qīmò | end of term | – |
| 期中 | qīzhōng | mid-term | – |
| 其次 | qícì | second; next | 4 |
| 其中 | qízhōng | among them | 4 |
| 起到 | qǐdào | to play (a role), as in 起到作用 | – |
| 气 | qì | air; gas; to make angry | – |
| 气候 | qìhòu | climate | 4 |
| 汽水 | qìshuǐ | fizzy drink | – |
| 气温 | qìwēn | air temperature | – |
| 千克 | qiānkè | kilogram | – |
| 千万 | qiānwàn | be sure to; whatever you do (don't) | 4 |
| 签证 | qiānzhèng | visa | 4 |
| 前方 | qiánfāng | ahead | – |
| 前后 | qiánhòu | around (a time); front and back | – |
| 强 | qiáng | strong | – |
| 敲 | qiāo | to knock; to tap | 4 |
| 桥 | qiáo | bridge | 4 |
| 巧 | qiǎo | coincidental; skilful | – |
| 巧克力 | qiǎokèlì | chocolate | 4 |
| 亲戚 | qīnqi | relative (family) | 4 |
| 琴 | qín | (stringed or keyboard) instrument; piano (short for 钢琴) | – |
| 轻 | qīng | light (weight); gentle | 4 |
| 青年 | qīngnián | young people; youth | – |
| 轻松 | qīngsōng | relaxed; easy | 4 |
| 情况 | qíngkuàng | situation | 4 |
| 庆祝 | qìngzhù | to celebrate | 5 |
| 球队 | qiúduì | (sports) team | – |
| 球迷 | qiúmí | (sports) fan | 5 |
| 区 | qū | district; area | – |
| 区别 | qūbié | difference; to tell apart | 4 |
| 取 | qǔ | to take; to fetch; to collect | 4 |
| 取得 | qǔdé | to obtain; to achieve | – |
| 取消 | qǔxiāo | to cancel | 5 |
| 全 | quán | whole; all | – |
| 全部 | quánbù | all; whole | 4 |
| 全都 | quándōu | all | – |
| 全球 | quánqiú | the whole world; global | – |
| 全身 | quánshēn | whole body | – |
| 缺 | quē | to lack; to be short of | – |
| 缺点 | quēdiǎn | shortcoming | 4 |
| 缺少 | quēshǎo | to lack | 4 |
| 却 | què | but; however | 4 |
| 确实 | quèshí | indeed; really | 4 |
| 然而 | rán’ér | however | 4 |
| 热闹 | rènao | lively; busy (place) | 4 |
| 人生 | rénshēng | life | 5 |
| 人数 | rénshù | number of people | – |
| 人员 | rényuán | staff; personnel | 5 |
| 任何 | rènhé | any | 4 |
| 任务 | rènwu | task | 4 |
| 扔 | rēng | to throw; to throw away | 4 |
| 仍 | réng | still | – |
| 仍然 | réngrán | still | 4 |
| 日常 | rìcháng | daily; everyday | 5 |
| 日记 | rìjì | diary | 4 |
| 日期 | rìqī | date | 5 |
| 日子 | rìzi | day; life (days) | – |
| 入 | rù | to enter | – |
| 入口 | rùkǒu | entrance | 4 |
| 入学 | rùxué | to start school; to be admitted | – |
| 入住 | rùzhù | to check in; to move in | – |
| 散步 | sànbù | to go for a walk | 4 |
| 扫码 | sǎomǎ | to scan a QR code | – |
| 森林 | sēnlín | forest | 4 |
| 商量 | shāngliang | to discuss; to talk over | 4 |
| 商品 | shāngpǐn | goods; products | 5 |
| 伤心 | shāngxīn | sad; heartbroken | 4 |
| 上门 | shàngmén | to come to someone's home (service, visit) | – |
| 稍 | shāo | slightly | – |
| 稍微 | shāowēi | a little; slightly | 4 |
| 少见 | shǎojiàn | rare | – |
| 少量 | shǎoliàng | a small amount of | – |
| 少数 | shǎoshù | minority; a few | – |
| 少年 | shàonián | teenager; youth | – |
| 社会 | shèhuì | society | 4 |
| 摄氏度 | shèshìdù | degrees Celsius | 6 |
| 身 | shēn | body; (measure word for outfits) | – |
| 深 | shēn | deep; dark (colour) | 4 |
| 身份证 | shēnfènzhèng | ID card | – |
| 申请 | shēnqǐng | to apply; application | 4 |
| 甚至 | shènzhì | even | 4 |
| 生 | shēng | to give birth; to be born; to grow | – |
| 生 | shēng | raw; unfamiliar | – |
| 生命 | shēngmìng | life | 4 |
| 生意 | shēngyi | business | – |
| 省 | shěng | province | 4 |
| 剩 | shèng | to be left over | 4 |
| 失败 | shībài | to fail; failure | 4 |
| 师傅 | shīfu | master (address for a skilled worker, driver) | 4 |
| 失去 | shīqù | to lose | 5 |
| 师生 | shīshēng | teachers and students | – |
| 失望 | shīwàng | disappointed | 4 |
| 十分 | shífēn | very; extremely | 4 |
| 实际 | shíjì | actual; reality | 4 |
| 时间表 | shíjiānbiǎo | timetable; schedule | – |
| 实际上 | shíjìshàng | in fact; actually | – |
| 食品 | shípǐn | food (products) | 4 |
| 食堂 | shítáng | canteen; dining hall | – |
| 食物 | shíwù | food | 5 |
| 实在 | shízài | really; honest | 4 |
| 十字路口 | shízìlùkǒu | crossroads | – |
| 使 | shǐ | to make (someone feel or do something) | 3 |
| 使馆 | shǐguǎn | embassy | – |
| 使用 | shǐyòng | to use | 4 |
| 市场 | shìchǎng | market | 4 |
| 是否 | shìfǒu | whether (or not) | 5 |
| 适合 | shìhé | to suit; to be suitable for | 4 |
| 世纪 | shìjì | century | 4 |
| 视频 | shìpín | video | – |
| 市区 | shìqū | city centre; urban area | – |
| 试题 | shìtí | exam question | – |
| 适应 | shìyìng | to adapt; to get used to | 4 |
| 收费 | shōufèi | to charge (a fee) | – |
| 收入 | shōurù | income | 4 |
| 收拾 | shōushi | to tidy up; to pack | 4 |
| 收听 | shōutīng | to listen to (radio) | – |
| 首 | shǒu | (measure word for songs, poems) | – |
| 首都 | shǒudū | capital (city) | 4 |
| 首先 | shǒuxiān | first of all | 4 |
| 受不了 | shòubuliǎo | can't stand | 4 |
| 售票员 | shòupiàoyuán | ticket seller; conductor | – |
| 受伤 | shòushāng | to get hurt; injured | 5 |
| 输 | shū | to lose (a game) | 4 |
| 熟 | shú/shóu | ripe; cooked; familiar | – |
| 熟悉 | shúxi | to be familiar with | 4 |
| 暑假 | shǔjià | summer holiday | – |
| 数 | shù | number | 6 |
| 数量 | shùliàng | quantity; amount | 4 |
| 树林 | shùlín | woods | – |
| 数字 | shùzì | number; digit; digital | 4 |
| 帅 | shuài | handsome | 4 |
| 顺便 | shùnbiàn | on the way; while you're at it | 4 |
| 顺利 | shùnlì | smooth; successful | 4 |
| 顺序 | shùnxù | order; sequence | 4 |
| 说法 | shuōfǎ | way of saying; claim; view | – |
| 说明 | shuōmíng | to explain; explanation | 4 |
| 说明书 | shuōmíngshū | instructions; manual | – |
| 硕士 | shuòshì | master's degree | 4 |
| 死 | sǐ | to die; dead; extremely (spoken) | 4 |
| 速度 | sùdù | speed | 4 |
| 塑料 | sùliào | plastic | – |
| 酸 | suān | sour | 4 |
| 酸奶 | suānnǎi | yoghurt | – |
| 算 | suàn | to calculate; to count as | 4 |
| 随便 | suíbiàn | as you like; casual; random | 4 |
| 随着 | suízhe | along with; as | 4 |
| 孙女 | sūnnǚ | granddaughter (son's daughter) | – |
| 孙子 | sūnzi | grandson (son's son) | 4 |
| 所有 | suǒyǒu | all | 4 |
| 台 | tái | (measure word for machines, TVs, computers); stage | 4 |
| 抬 | tái | to lift; to raise | 4 |
| 抬头 | táitóu | to look up; to raise one's head | – |
| 态度 | tàidù | attitude | 4 |
| 弹 | tán | to play (piano, guitar) | 4 |
| 谈 | tán | to talk; to discuss | 4 |
| 汤 | tāng | soup | 4 |
| 躺 | tǎng | to lie down | 4 |
| 趟 | tàng | (measure word for trips), as in 去一趟 | 4 |
| 讨论 | tǎolùn | to discuss | 4 |
| 讨厌 | tǎoyàn | annoying; to dislike | 4 |
| 特点 | tèdiǎn | feature; characteristic | 4 |
| 提 | tí | to carry (in the hand); to mention | 5 |
| 提出 | tíchū | to put forward; to raise (a question) | – |
| 提到 | tídào | to mention | – |
| 提供 | tígōng | to provide | 4 |
| 提前 | tíqián | in advance; to bring forward | 4 |
| 提醒 | tíxǐng | to remind | 4 |
| 体检 | tǐjiǎn | health check; medical examination | – |
| 体温 | tǐwēn | body temperature | – |
| 体重 | tǐzhòng | body weight | – |
| 填写 | tiánxiě | to fill in (a form) | – |
| 条件 | tiáojiàn | condition | 4 |
| 听力 | tīnglì | listening (skill) | – |
| 听众 | tīngzhòng | audience; listeners | – |
| 停 | tíng | to stop; to park | – |
| 停车 | tíngchē | to park; to stop (a vehicle) | – |
| 停车场 | tíngchēchǎng | car park | – |
| 停止 | tíngzhǐ | to stop | 4 |
| 通 | tōng | to lead to; to connect; (measure word for phone calls, letters) | – |
| 通过 | tōngguò | to pass; through; by means of | 4 |
| 通知 | tōngzhī | to notify; notice | 4 |
| 童年 | tóngnián | childhood | – |
| 同时 | tóngshí | at the same time | 5 |
| 同样 | tóngyàng | the same; similarly | – |
| 桶 | tǒng | bucket; bin | – |
| 痛 | tòng | painful; to hurt | – |
| 头痛 | tóutòng | headache | – |
| 图 | tú | picture; diagram | – |
| 图片 | túpiàn | picture; photo | – |
| 土 | tǔ | soil; earth | – |
| 推 | tuī | to push | 4 |
| 推迟 | tuīchí | to postpone | 4 |
| 推出 | tuīchū | to launch; to bring out | – |
| 脱 | tuō | to take off (clothes, shoes) | 4 |
| 袜子 | wàzi | socks | 4 |
| 外出 | wàichū | to go out | – |
| 外套 | wàitào | coat; jacket | – |
| 完全 | wánquán | complete; completely | 4 |
| 晚安 | wǎn’ān | good night | – |
| 晚餐 | wǎncān | dinner | – |
| 网购 | wǎnggòu | to shop online | – |
| 往往 | wǎngwǎng | often; usually | 4 |
| 网页 | wǎngyè | web page | – |
| 网友 | wǎngyǒu | online friend; internet user | – |
| 网址 | wǎngzhǐ | web address | – |
| 危险 | wēixiǎn | dangerous; danger | 4 |
| 为 | wéi | to be; to act as; (为…所…) by | 2 |
| 味 | wèi | taste; smell | – |
| 味道 | wèidào | taste; flavour | 4 |
| 卫生 | wèishēng | hygiene; clean | – |
| 温度 | wēndù | temperature | 4 |
| 闻 | wén | to smell | 5 |
| 文件 | wénjiàn | document; file | 5 |
| 文章 | wénzhāng | article; essay | 4 |
| 文字 | wénzì | written words; script | – |
| 污染 | wūrǎn | to pollute; pollution | 4 |
| 无 | wú | without; none | 4 |
| 无法 | wúfǎ | unable to | – |
| 无聊 | wúliáo | bored; boring | 4 |
| 无论 | wúlùn | no matter (what, how) | 4 |
| 午餐 | wǔcān | lunch | – |
| 误会 | wùhuì | to misunderstand; misunderstanding | 4 |
| 吸 | xī | to breathe in; to absorb; to smoke | – |
| 西部 | xībù | western part | – |
| 西红柿 | xīhóngshì | tomato | 4 |
| 吸引 | xīyǐn | to attract | 4 |
| 细 | xì | thin; fine; careful | – |
| 细心 | xìxīn | careful | – |
| 下降 | xiàjiàng | to fall; to drop | – |
| 鲜 | xiān | fresh | – |
| 鲜花 | xiānhuā | (fresh) flowers | – |
| 咸 | xián | salty | 4 |
| 现金 | xiànjīn | cash | 5 |
| 羡慕 | xiànmù | to envy; to admire | 4 |
| 线上 | xiànshàng | online | – |
| 线下 | xiànxià | offline; in person | – |
| 现有 | xiànyǒu | existing; currently available | – |
| 香 | xiāng | fragrant; smells good | 4 |
| 相比 | xiāngbǐ | compared with | – |
| 相反 | xiāngfǎn | opposite; on the contrary | 4 |
| 相互 | xiānghù | each other; mutual | – |
| 相同 | xiāngtóng | the same | 3 |
| 详细 | xiángxì | detailed | 4 |
| 响 | xiǎng | to ring; to make a sound; loud | 4 |
| 想法 | xiǎngfǎ | idea; opinion | – |
| 项 | xiàng | (measure word for items, tasks, events) | 5 |
| 消息 | xiāoxi | news; message | 4 |
| 小吃 | xiǎochī | snack | 5 |
| 小伙子 | xiǎohuǒzi | young man | 5 |
| 小说 | xiǎoshuō | novel | 4 |
| 小组 | xiǎozǔ | group | – |
| 效果 | xiàoguǒ | effect; result | 4 |
| 笑话 | xiàohua | joke; to laugh at | 4 |
| 血 | xiě | blood | 4 |
| 心 | xīn | heart; mind | – |
| 辛苦 | xīnkǔ | tiring; hard; to work hard | 4 |
| 心情 | xīnqíng | mood | 4 |
| 信号 | xìnhào | signal | 5 |
| 信息 | xìnxī | information; message | 5 |
| 信心 | xìnxīn | confidence | 4 |
| 兴奋 | xīngfèn | excited | 4 |
| 星星 | xīngxing | star | – |
| 醒 | xǐng | to wake up | 4 |
| 性 | xìng | (ending meaning "-ness", "-ity", as in 重要性) | – |
| 性别 | xìngbié | sex; gender | 4 |
| 幸福 | xìngfú | happiness; happy | 4 |
| 性格 | xìnggé | personality | 4 |
| 兄弟 | xiōngdì | brothers | 5 |
| 熊 | xióng | bear | – |
| 修 | xiū | to repair; to build | 4 |
| 修理 | xiūlǐ | to repair | 6 |
| 许多 | xǔduō | many; a lot of | 4 |
| 学费 | xuéfèi | tuition fee | – |
| 学院 | xuéyuàn | college; school (of a university) | – |
| 压 | yā | to press; to weigh down | – |
| 压力 | yālì | pressure; stress | 4 |
| 牙膏 | yágāo | toothpaste | 4 |
| 亚洲 | Yàzhōu | Asia | 4 |
| 烟 | yān | smoke; cigarette | – |
| 盐 | yán | salt | 4 |
| 严格 | yángé | strict | 4 |
| 研究 | yánjiū | to research; to study; research | – |
| 研究生 | yánjiūshēng | graduate student | 4 |
| 严重 | yánzhòng | serious; severe | 4 |
| 演 | yǎn | to act; to perform | – |
| 演唱 | yǎnchàng | to sing (on stage) | – |
| 演出 | yǎnchū | to perform; performance | 4 |
| 眼镜 | yǎnjìng | glasses | 3 |
| 眼前 | yǎnqián | before one's eyes; at present | – |
| 演员 | yǎnyuán | actor; actress | 4 |
| 阳光 | yángguāng | sunshine; cheerful | 4 |
| 养成 | yǎngchéng | to form (a habit) | 4 |
| 样子 | yàngzi | appearance; look | 4 |
| 邀请 | yāoqǐng | to invite; invitation | 4 |
| 要是 | yàoshi | if | 5 |
| 钥匙 | yàoshi | key | 4 |
| 也许 | yěxǔ | maybe | 4 |
| 夜 | yè | night | 5 |
| 夜晚 | yèwǎn | night | – |
| 叶子 | yèzi | leaf | 4 |
| 一切 | yíqiè | everything | 4 |
| 已 | yǐ | already | – |
| 以内 | yǐnèi | within | – |
| 意见 | yìjiàn | opinion; suggestion; complaint | 4 |
| 一生 | yìshēng | whole life | – |
| 艺术 | yìshù | art | 4 |
| 因此 | yīncǐ | therefore | 4 |
| 引起 | yǐnqǐ | to cause; to lead to | 4 |
| 印象 | yìnxiàng | impression | 4 |
| 赢 | yíng | to win | 4 |
| 赢得 | yíngdé | to win (praise, support) | – |
| 应聘 | yìngpìn | to apply for a job | 5 |
| 勇敢 | yǒnggǎn | brave | 4 |
| 永远 | yǒngyuǎn | forever; always | 4 |
| 用来 | yònglái | to be used for | – |
| 用于 | yòngyú | to be used for | – |
| 优点 | yōudiǎn | advantage; strong point | 4 |
| 幽默 | yōumò | humorous | 4 |
| 优秀 | yōuxiù | excellent | 4 |
| 由 | yóu | by; from | 4 |
| 油 | yóu | oil | – |
| 尤其 | yóuqí | especially | 4 |
| 游玩 | yóuwán | to go sightseeing; to have fun | – |
| 由于 | yóuyú | because of; due to | 4 |
| 友好 | yǒuhǎo | friendly | 4 |
| 友情 | yǒuqíng | friendship | – |
| 有趣 | yǒuqù | interesting | 4 |
| 有效 | yǒuxiào | effective; valid | – |
| 友谊 | yǒuyì | friendship | 4 |
| 有着 | yǒuzhe | to have (formal) | – |
| 愉快 | yúkuài | happy; pleasant | 4 |
| 于是 | yúshì | so; thereupon | 4 |
| 与 | yǔ | and; with (formal) | 4 |
| 语法 | yǔfǎ | grammar | 4 |
| 预习 | yùxí | to prepare a lesson (before class) | 4 |
| 原来 | yuánlái | originally; so it turns out | 4 |
| 原谅 | yuánliàng | to forgive | 4 |
| 原因 | yuányīn | reason; cause | 4 |
| 远离 | yuǎnlí | to stay away from | – |
| 院长 | yuànzhǎng | dean; head (of a college, hospital) | – |
| 院子 | yuànzi | courtyard | – |
| 约 | yuē | to arrange to meet; about | – |
| 约会 | yuēhuì | date; appointment | 4 |
| 月饼 | yuèbing | mooncake | – |
| 阅读 | yuèdú | to read; reading | 4 |
| 月份 | yuèfèn | month | – |
| 云 | yún | cloud | 3 |
| 允许 | yǔnxǔ | to allow | 4 |
| 杂志 | zázhì | magazine | 4 |
| 再次 | zàicì | once again | – |
| 再说 | zàishuō | besides; we'll see later | – |
| 暂时 | zànshí | temporary; for the time being | 4 |
| 暂停 | zàntíng | to pause | – |
| 早餐 | zǎocān | breakfast | – |
| 早晨 | zǎochen | early morning | – |
| 责任 | zérèn | responsibility | 4 |
| 增加 | zēngjiā | to increase | 4 |
| 增长 | zēngzhǎng | to grow; to increase | 4 |
| 招聘 | zhāopìn | to recruit; to hire | 4 |
| 着 | zháo | (after a verb: succeeds), as in 睡着 "fall asleep" | 2 |
| 着火 | zháohuǒ | to catch fire | – |
| 者 | zhě | (ending for a person who does something, as in 作者 "author") | – |
| 真正 | zhēnzhèng | real; truly | 4 |
| 整 | zhěng | whole; complete | – |
| 整个 | zhěnggè | whole; entire | 5 |
| 整理 | zhěnglǐ | to tidy up; to sort out | 4 |
| 证 | zhèng | certificate; ID | – |
| 正常 | zhèngcháng | normal | 4 |
| 正好 | zhènghǎo | just right; as it happens | 4 |
| 证件 | zhèngjiàn | ID documents; papers | 5 |
| 证明 | zhèngmíng | to prove; certificate | 4 |
| 正确 | zhèngquè | correct | 4 |
| 正式 | zhèngshì | formal; official | 4 |
| 之 | zhī | (formal particle like 的), as in 之一 "one of" | 4 |
| 支持 | zhīchí | to support | 4 |
| 支付 | zhīfù | to pay | – |
| 之后 | zhīhòu | after | – |
| 之间 | zhījiān | between; among | – |
| 之前 | zhīqián | before | – |
| 知识 | zhīshi | knowledge | 4 |
| 之中 | zhīzhōng | among; in the middle of | – |
| 值 | zhí | to be worth | – |
| 值得 | zhídé | to be worth (doing) | 4 |
| 直接 | zhíjiē | direct; directly | 4 |
| 植物 | zhíwù | plant | 4 |
| 职业 | zhíyè | occupation; profession | 4 |
| 指 | zhǐ | to point (at); to refer to | 4 |
| 指出 | zhǐchū | to point out | – |
| 只好 | zhǐhǎo | to have no choice but to | 4 |
| 纸巾 | zhǐjīn | tissue; napkin | – |
| 质量 | zhìliàng | quality | 4 |
| 至少 | zhìshǎo | at least | 4 |
| 中餐 | zhōngcān | Chinese food; lunch | – |
| 中年 | zhōngnián | middle age | – |
| 种 | zhòng | to plant; to grow | 3 |
| 重 | zhòng | heavy; serious | 5 |
| 重点 | zhòngdiǎn | key point; focus | 4 |
| 重视 | zhòngshì | to value; to take seriously | 4 |
| 周围 | zhōuwéi | surroundings; around | 4 |
| 主意 | zhǔyi | idea; plan | 4 |
| 祝 | zhù | to wish (someone well) | 3 |
| 祝贺 | zhùhè | to congratulate | 4 |
| 著名 | zhùmíng | famous | 4 |
| 专门 | zhuānmén | specially; specialized | 4 |
| 专业 | zhuānyè | major (subject); professional | 4 |
| 转 | zhuǎn | to turn; to transfer; to forward | – |
| 转发 | zhuǎnfā | to forward (a message) | – |
| 转机 | zhuǎnjī | to change planes | – |
| 赚 | zhuàn | to earn | 4 |
| 装 | zhuāng | to load; to install; to pretend | 5 |
| 准 | zhǔn | accurate; to allow | – |
| 准确 | zhǔnquè | accurate | 4 |
| 准时 | zhǔnshí | punctual; on time | 4 |
| 资料 | zīliào | materials; information | 5 |
| 仔细 | zǐxì | careful | 4 |
| 自 | zì | from | – |
| 自然 | zìrán | nature; natural; naturally | 4 |
| 自习 | zìxí | to study on one's own (in a study period) | – |
| 自信 | zìxìn | confident; self-confidence | 5 |
| 自学 | zìxué | to teach oneself | – |
| 总结 | zǒngjié | to sum up; summary | 4 |
| 租 | zū | to rent | 4 |
| 组 | zǔ | group; set | 6 |
| 最终 | zuìzhōng | final; in the end | – |
| 尊重 | zūnzhòng | to respect | 4 |
| 左右 | zuǒyòu | about; around (with numbers) | 6 |
| 座 | zuò | (measure word for mountains, buildings, bridges); seat | 4 |
| 做法 | zuòfǎ | way of doing things | – |
| 作家 | zuòjiā | writer | – |
| 做梦 | zuòmèng | to dream | – |
| 作品 | zuòpǐn | work (of art, writing) | 5 |
| 作为 | zuòwéi | as (in the role of) | 5 |
| 座位 | zuòwèi | seat | 4 |
| 作文 | zuòwén | essay; composition | 5 |
| 作用 | zuòyòng | effect; role; function | 3 |
| 作者 | zuòzhě | author | 4 |
English meanings for HSK 1–4 are written by WordSwing for learners. “Old HSK” shows the level a word had on the HSK 2.0 lists, matched by characters; “new” means it was not on those lists.
About the HSK 4 words
HSK 4 adds 1,000 words, doubling the list to 2,000. Many of them are abstract or formal: 经验, 态度, 安排, 解释, 提供, 效果. Fewer than half of the new words were on the old HSK 4 list.
How these words appear on the test
Reading now has word banks with one extra distractor and passage-level sentence gaps, so you need to know how words combine, not only what they mean. The writing section asks for sentences about pictures using a given word, and an essay of at least 80 characters.
What to focus on
- Common word partners: 提高水平, 解决问题, 取得成绩, 引起注意, 积累经验.
- Formal linking words: 不仅, 而且, 尽管, 即使, 否则, 由于, 因此, 于是.
- Near-synonyms that test questions like to contrast: 以为 / 认为, 经历 / 经验, 安排 / 准备.
- Words for opinions and feelings, which you need for the essay and the speaking test.
Work and study
招聘 面试 工资 加班 负责 经验 能力 专业 申请 毕业
Society and media
广告 网友 社会 经济 环保 污染 交通 互联网 网购
Abstract ideas
态度 原因 结果 过程 方式 目的 条件 情况 效果
How this list compares with the old HSK 4
Of the 1,000 new HSK 4 words, 465 were also HSK 4 words on the HSK 2.0 lists, 25 were at a lower old level, 127 were at a higher old level, and 383 were not on the old lists at all. If you studied with an older HSK 4 book or deck, the old vs new word list comparison shows exactly which words to add.
Characters at this level
HSK 4 adds 441 characters to recognise (1,096 in total) and 150 to write by hand (400 in total). See the HSK 4 character list for stroke order.
How to learn them
Learn words in short daily sessions with sound, then meet them again in reading. Our guide to learning HSK vocabulary explains a simple routine, and the HSK 4 guide explains how the words are tested.
Sources
- HSK 考试大纲 (HSK Test Syllabus), released November 2025 — Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC). Checked 2026-10-20.
- CC-CEDICT Chinese–English dictionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) — MDBG / CC-CEDICT contributors (not official). Checked 2026-10-20.