HSK 4 Vocabulary: The Full 1,000-Word List (with Pinyin)

沉浸 TeamAugust 13, 202627 min read

The HSK 4 vocabulary list adds exactly 1,000 words under the current HSK 3.0 standard, for a cumulative total of 3,245. The complete list is below with pinyin and meanings. HSK 4 opens the intermediate band: these are the words that carry opinions, arguments, and news stories rather than daily errands.

(Seen "HSK 4 = 1,200 words"? That's the older HSK 2.0 standard. The current lists are bigger and organized differently; see our HSK levels guide for the full picture.)

The HSK 4 words that matter most

Level 4 is where vocabulary turns abstract. You'll meet the words that written Chinese leans on constantly, the ones that make news articles and essays suddenly readable:

Why HSK 4 words don't stick (and what to do)

Learners who cruised through HSK 1-3 often hit a wall here, and it's not about discipline. Abstract words like 措施 or 趋势 have no picture to hang a memory on, and several near-synonyms arrive at once. Cards alone can't fix that; context can.

Meet every word in real sentences. One flashcard plus five sightings in stories beats ten reviews of the card alone. Our HSK 4 reading practice guide lists free graded stories and articles at this level.
Mine while you read. In Chenjin's reader, tapping an unknown word shows the definition and saves it, with the sentence, to your flashcards. Your deck ends up made of sentences you've met, not dictionary abstractions.
Watch the near-synonym clusters. When you learn 面临, note how it differs from 面对 in the sentences you find, not from a usage table. AI example sentences on Chenjin's dictionary pages help here: four graded examples per word, on demand.
Check the list weekly, not daily. The vocabulary grid shows which of the 1,000 words are still unmarked; a weekly scan tells you whether your reading is covering the level or you need to spot-learn the stragglers.

The full HSK 4 word list

All 1,000 HSK 3.0 level 4 words, sorted by pinyin (totals can vary by a few depending on how multi-use entries are split). For stroke order, examples, and audio, search any word in the dictionary or open the level as an interactive grid on the vocabulary page.

A

啊 (ā): interjection of surprise
矮 (ǎi): (of a person) short
爱国 (àiguó): to love one's country
爱护 (àihù): to cherish
矮小 (ǎixiǎo): short and small
安 (ān): (bound form) calm; peaceful
暗 (àn): dark
按时 (ànshí): on time
暗示 (ànshì): to hint; to suggest
安置 (ānzhì): to find a place for
阿姨 (āyí): maternal aunt

B

摆 (bǎi): to arrange
败 (bài): to defeat
摆动 (bǎidòng): to sway
百货 (bǎihuò): general merchandise
摆脱 (bǎituō): to break away from
办事 (bànshì): to handle (affairs)
薄 (báo): thin
宝 (bǎo): jewel
抱 (bào): to hold
宝宝 (bǎobao): darling; baby
宝贝 (bǎobèi): treasured object
宝贵 (bǎoguì): valuable
包裹 (bāoguǒ): to wrap up
包含 (bāohán): to contain
包括 (bāokuò): to comprise
保密 (bǎomì): to keep sth confidential
宝石 (bǎoshí): precious stone; gem
保守 (bǎoshǒu): conservative
巴士 (bāshì): bus (loanword)
倍 (bèi): (two, three etc) -fold
背景 (bèijǐng): background; backdrop; context
被迫 (bèipò): to be compelled; to be forced
笨 (bèn): stupid
本科 (běnkē): undergraduate course
避 (bì): to avoid
编 (biān): to weave
辩论 (biànlùn): debate
表情 (biǎoqíng): (facial) expression
表扬 (biǎoyáng): to praise
标志 (biāozhì): sign; mark; symbol; logo
别 (bié): to leave; to part (from)
比分 (bǐfēn): score (of a game or competition)
避免 (bìmiǎn): to avert
冰 (bīng): ice
兵 (bīng): soldiers
并 (bìng): and
冰箱 (bīngxiāng): refrigerator
冰雪 (bīngxuě): ice and snow
毕业 (bìyè): graduation
毕业生 (bìyèshēng): graduate
不管 (bùguǎn): not to be concerned
不然 (bùrán): not so
步行 (bùxíng): to go on foot
不要紧 (bùyàojǐn): unimportant
不在乎 (bùzàihu): not to care
布置 (bùzhì): to arrange; to set up; to lay out

C

擦 (cā): to rub; to scratch
才 (cái): ability; talent
财产 (cáichǎn): property
采访 (cǎifǎng): to interview
财富 (cáifù): wealth
材料 (cáiliào): (raw) material
参考 (cānkǎo): consultation
参与 (cānyù): to participate (in sth)
操场 (cāochǎng): playground
操作 (cāozuò): to work
测 (cè): to survey
测量 (cèliáng): survey
曾 (céng): once
测试 (cèshì): to test (machinery etc)
唱片 (chàngpiàn): gramophone record
常识 (chángshí): common sense; general knowledge
长途 (chángtú): long distance
产品 (chǎnpǐn): goods
抄 (chāo): to make a copy
潮 (cháo): tide
潮流 (cháoliú): tide
潮湿 (cháoshī): damp
抄写 (chāoxiě): to copy
茶叶 (cháyè): tea
彻底 (chèdǐ): thorough
沉 (chén): to submerge
承担 (chéngdān): to undertake
成人 (chéngrén): to reach adulthood
承认 (chéngrèn): to admit
诚实 (chéngshí): honest
承受 (chéngshòu): to bear
诚信 (chéngxìn): honesty; trustworthiness; good faith
程序 (chéngxù): procedures
称赞 (chēngzàn): to praise; to commend; to compliment
沉默 (chénmò): taciturn
沉重 (chénzhòng): heavy
尺 (chǐ): a Chinese foot
尺寸 (chǐcùn): size; dimensions; measurements (esp. of clothes)
迟到 (chídào): to arrive late
吃惊 (chījīng): to be startled
尺子 (chǐzi): ruler (measuring instrument)
冲 (chōng): (of water) to dash against
充电 (chōngdiàn): to recharge (a battery)
充电器 (chōngdiànqì): battery charger
充分 (chōngfèn): ample
虫子 (chóngzi): insect
抽 (chōu): to draw out; to pull out from in between
抽奖 (chōujiǎng): to draw a prize
抽烟 (chōuyān): to smoke (tobacco)
处 (chù): (bound form) place; locality
窗户 (chuānghu): window
窗台 (chuāngtái): windowsill; window ledge
窗子 (chuāngzi): window
穿上 (chuānshang): to put on (clothes etc)
传统 (chuántǒng): tradition; traditional
出口 (chūkǒu): an exit
纯 (chún): pure
春季 (chūnjì): springtime
纯净水 (chúnjìngshuǐ): purified water
出色 (chūsè): remarkable; outstanding
出售 (chūshòu): to sell
出席 (chūxí): to attend
处于 (chǔyú): to be in (some state, position, or condition)
此 (cǐ): this; these
次 (cì): next in sequence
刺 (cì): thorn
词汇 (cíhuì): vocabulary
刺激 (cìjī): to provoke; to irritate; to upset; to stimulate; to excite
此外 (cǐwài): besides; in addition; moreover; furthermore
从此 (cóngcǐ): from now on
粗 (cū): (of sth long) wide; thick
促进 (cùjìn): to promote (an idea or cause); to advance; boost
措施 (cuòshī): measure
促使 (cùshǐ): to prompt; to induce; to spur
促销 (cùxiāo): to promote sales
粗心 (cūxīn): careless

D

打 (dá): (loanword) dozen
大规模 (dà guīmó): large scale
大楼 (dà lóu): building (a relatively large, multistory one)
答案 (dá'àn): answer
大巴 (dàbā): (coll.) large bus
打败 (dǎbài): to defeat
大多 (dàduō): for the most part
大方 (dàfang): generous
大哥 (dàgē): eldest brother
大会 (dàhuì): general assembly
袋 (dài): pouch
戴 (dài): to put on or wear (glasses, hat, gloves etc)
代替 (dàitì): to replace; to take the place of
待遇 (dàiyù): treatment
大姐 (dàjiě): big sister
打雷 (dǎléi): to rumble with thunder
大陆 (dàlù): continent; mainland
大妈 (dàmā): father's elder brother's wife
单 (dān): bill
淡 (dàn): insipid
担保 (dānbǎo): to guarantee
单纯 (dānchún): simple
单调 (dāndiào): monotonous
单独 (dāndú): alone
担任 (dānrèn): to hold a governmental office or post
担心 (dānxīn): anxious
倒闭 (dǎobì): to go bankrupt
倒车 (dǎochē): to change buses, trains etc
导游 (dǎoyóu): tour guide
导致 (dǎozhì): to lead to; to create; to cause; to bring about
打扫 (dǎsǎo): to clean
大型 (dàxíng): large
大爷 (dàye): (coll.) father's older brother
打折 (dǎzhé): to give a discount
打针 (dǎzhēn): to give or get an injection
大众 (dàzhòng): the masses
得 (děi): to obtain
登 (dēng): to scale (a height)
灯光 (dēngguāng): (stage) lighting
登记 (dēngjì): to register (one's name)
登录 (dēnglù): to register
登山 (dēngshān): to climb a mountain
得意 (déyì): proud of oneself
底 (dǐ): bottom; base
电灯 (diàndēng): electric light
电动车 (diàndòngchē): electric vehicle (commonly refers to e-bikes, scooters or electric cars)
点名 (diǎnmíng): roll call
电梯 (diàntī): elevator
典型 (diǎnxíng): model
电源 (diànyuán): electric power source
地方 (dìfāng): region
地面 (dìmiàn): floor
顶 (dǐng): apex
定 (dìng): to fix; to set; to make definite
的确 (díquè): really
敌人 (dírén): enemy
地位 (dìwèi): position
地下 (dìxià): underground
地址 (dìzhǐ): address
动画片 (dònghuàpiàn): animated film
冬季 (dōngjì): winter
动摇 (dòngyáo): to sway
豆腐 (dòufu): tofu
堵 (dǔ): to block up (a road, pipe etc)
锻炼 (duànliàn): to toughen
堵车 (dǔchē): traffic jam
度过 (dùguò): to pass
对比 (duìbǐ): to contrast
对付 (duìfu): to handle; to deal with; to tackle
对于 (duìyú): regarding; as far as (sth) is concerned; with regard to
独立 (dúlì): independent
多次 (duō cì): many times
多年 (duō nián): many years
多种 (duō zhǒng): many kinds of; multiple; diverse; multi-
多样 (duōyàng): diverse
独特 (dútè): unique; distinctive
独自 (dúzì): alone
肚子 (dùzi): belly

E

而 (ér): and
而是 (ér shì): rather
耳机 (ěrjī): headphones
二手 (èrshǒu): indirectly acquired
儿童 (értóng): child
恶心 (ěxin): nausea

F

法 (fǎ): law
法官 (fǎguān): judge (in court)
发挥 (fāhuī): to display
法律 (fǎlǜ): law
翻 (fān): to turn over
烦 (fán): to feel vexed
反 (fǎn): contrary
反而 (fǎn'ér): on the contrary; instead
方 (fāng): square
方案 (fāng'àn): plan
放松 (fàngsōng): to relax; to slacken; to loosen
方针 (fāngzhēn): policy
翻译 (fānyì): to translate
反映 (fǎnyìng): to mirror
发票 (fāpiào): invoice; receipt; bill
发烧 (fāshāo): to have a high temperature (from illness); to have a fever
法院 (fǎyuàn): court of law
非 (fēi): to not be; not
肥 (féi): fat
分之 (fēn zhī): (indicating a fraction)
分布 (fēnbù): to scatter
奋斗 (fèndòu): to strive; to struggle
纷纷 (fēnfēn): one after another
封闭 (fēngbì): to close; to seal off
风格 (fēnggé): style
风景 (fēngjǐng): scenery; landscape
风俗 (fēngsú): social custom
分散 (fēnsàn): to scatter
分手 (fēnshǒu): to part company
分为 (fēnwéi): to divide sth into (parts); to subdivide
否则 (fǒuzé): otherwise; if not; or (else)
付出 (fùchū): to pay; to expend; to invest (energy or time)
负担 (fùdān): to bear (an expense, a responsibility etc)
夫妇 (fūfù): a (married) couple
符号 (fúhào): symbol; mark; sign
符合 (fúhé): in accordance with; to agree with; to conform to; to meet (a requirement)
附近 (fùjìn): nearby; neighboring
夫妻 (fūqī): husband and wife; married couple
夫人 (fūrén): lady
复制 (fùzhì): to duplicate

G

盖 (gài): lid
概括 (gàikuò): to summarize; to generalize
改善 (gǎishàn): to make better; to improve
改正 (gǎizhèng): to correct
感兴趣 (gǎn xìngqù): to be interested
高潮 (gāocháo): high tide; high water
高价 (gāojià): high price
高尚 (gāoshàng): noble
高铁 (gāotiě): high speed rail
隔 (gé): to separate
个别 (gèbié): individually; one by one
各个 (gègè): every
隔开 (gékāi): to separate
根 (gēn): root
根据 (gēnjù): according to
个体 (gètǐ): an individual
格外 (géwài): especially; particularly; even more than usual
共 (gòng): common
工程 (gōngchéng): engineering
供应 (gōngyìng): to supply; to provide (goods, services etc)
公元 (gōngyuán): CE (Common Era)
构成 (gòuchéng): to constitute
购买 (gòumǎi): to purchase; to buy
购物 (gòuwù): shopping
构造 (gòuzào): structure
瓜 (guā): melon; gourd; squash
怪 (guài): odd; strange; uncanny
关 (guān): mountain pass
官 (guān): government official
关闭 (guānbì): to close; to shut (a window etc)
官方 (guānfāng): government
逛 (guàng): to stroll
光临 (guānglín): (formal) to honor with one's presence
光盘 (guāngpán): compact disc (CD); DVD; CD-ROM
关于 (guānyú): pertaining to
固定 (gùdìng): to fix
归 (guī): to return
规律 (guīlǜ): rule (e.g. of science)
规模 (guīmó): scale; scope; extent
规则 (guīzé): rule; regulation
过分 (guòfèn): excessive; undue
果实 (guǒshí): fruit (produced by a plant)
骨头 (gǔtou): bone

H

海水 (hǎishuǐ): seawater
海鲜 (hǎixiān): seafood
含 (hán): to keep in the mouth
航班 (hángbān): (scheduled) flight; (scheduled) sailing
航空 (hángkōng): aviation
行业 (hángyè): trade; profession; industry; business
寒假 (hánjià): winter vacation
寒冷 (hánlěng): cold (climate)
含量 (hánliàng): content
含义 (hányì): meaning (implicit in a phrase)
含有 (hányǒu): to contain
好 (hào): good
号码 (hàomǎ): number
毫米 (háomǐ): millimeter
毫升 (háoshēng): milliliter
好友 (hǎoyǒu): close friend
黑暗 (hēi'àn): dark
合同 (hétóng): contract; agreement
红包 (hóngbāo): money wrapped in red as a gift
厚 (hòu): thick
后头 (hòutou): behind
户 (hù): a household
花 (huā): flower
划 (huá): to row
怀念 (huáiniàn): to cherish the memory of
怀疑 (huáiyí): to doubt (sth); to be skeptical of
黄瓜 (huángguā): cucumber
黄金 (huángjīn): gold
缓解 (huǎnjiě): to bring relief
汇 (huì): to remit
汇报 (huìbào): to report
回复 (huífù): to recover; to revert; to return to (good health, normal condition etc)
汇率 (huìlǜ): exchange rate
婚礼 (hūnlǐ): wedding ceremony
火 (huǒ): fire
伙 (huǒ): meals (abbr. for 伙食)
货 (huò): goods
获 (huò): (literary) to catch; to capture
伙伴 (huǒbàn): partner
获得 (huòdé): to obtain; to receive; to get
获奖 (huòjiǎng): to win an award
获取 (huòqǔ): to gain; to get; to acquire
或许 (huòxǔ): perhaps; maybe
忽视 (hūshì): to neglect; to overlook; to disregard; to ignore
护士 (hùshi): nurse
呼吸 (hūxī): to breathe

J

极 (jí): extremely
系 (jì): to tie
季 (jì): season
既 (jì): already
寄 (jì): to entrust; to place in sb's care
加班 (jiābān): to work overtime
减 (jiǎn): to lower
检测 (jiǎncè): to test; to detect
减肥 (jiǎnféi): to lose weight
江 (jiāng): river
奖 (jiǎng): prize; award; bonus; reward
降 (jiàng): to drop
降低 (jiàngdī): to reduce; to lower; to bring down
降价 (jiàngjià): to cut the price
奖金 (jiǎngjīn): premium
讲究 (jiǎngjiu): to pay particular attention to
降落 (jiàngluò): to descend
坚固 (jiāngù): firm
降温 (jiàngwēn): to become cooler
奖学金 (jiǎngxuéjīn): scholarship
讲座 (jiǎngzuò): course of lectures; lecture series
渐渐 (jiànjiàn): gradually
简历 (jiǎnlì): curriculum vitae (CV)
减少 (jiǎnshǎo): to lessen; to decrease; to reduce; to lower
健身 (jiànshēn): to exercise
交换 (jiāohuàn): to exchange
交际 (jiāojì): communication
教授 (jiàoshòu): professor
教训 (jiàoxùn): to provide guidance; to lecture sb; to upbraid
加入 (jiārù): to become a member
假如 (jiǎrú): if
家务 (jiāwù): household duties
加油站 (jiāyóuzhàn): gas station
激动 (jīdòng): to move emotionally
季度 (jìdù): quarter of a year
结 (jié): (of a plant) to produce (fruit or seeds)
街道 (jiēdào): street
阶段 (jiēduàn): stage
结构 (jiégòu): structure
结论 (jiélùn): conclusion
姐妹 (jiěmèi): sisters
节省 (jiéshěng): saving
解释 (jiěshì): explanation
及格 (jígé): to pass an exam or a test
机构 (jīgòu): mechanism
集合 (jíhé): to gather; to assemble
几乎 (jīhū): almost; nearly; practically
即将 (jíjiāng): about to; on the point of; soon
季节 (jìjié): time
积累 (jīlěi): to accumulate
激烈 (jīliè): (of competition or fighting) intense
纪律 (jìlǜ): discipline
急忙 (jímáng): hastily
近代 (jìndài): the not-very-distant past
经典 (jīngdiǎn): the classics
精力 (jīnglì): energy
竟然 (jìngrán): unexpectedly
镜头 (jìngtóu): camera lens
镜子 (jìngzi): mirror
进口 (jìnkǒu): to import
尽快 (jǐnkuài): as quickly as possible; as soon as possible
尽力 (jìnlì): to strive one's hardest; to spare no effort
紧密 (jǐnmì): inseparably close
禁止 (jìnzhǐ): to prohibit
极其 (jíqí): extremely
技巧 (jìqiǎo): skill
既然 (jìrán): since; as; this being the case
酒吧 (jiǔbā): bar (place to buy drinks)
究竟 (jiūjìng): to go to the bottom of a matter
机遇 (jīyù): opportunity; favorable turn of events; stroke of luck
记载 (jìzǎi): to write down
局 (jú): narrow
聚 (jù): to assemble; to gather (transitive or intransitive)
卷 (juǎn): to roll up
具备 (jùbèi): to possess
巨大 (jùdà): huge; immense; enormous; gigantic
角色 (juésè): role; part (in a play or movie etc)
聚会 (jùhuì): party
距离 (jùlí): distance
居民 (jūmín): resident; inhabitant
居住 (jūzhù): to reside

K

开花 (kāihuā): to bloom; to blossom; to flower
开水 (kāishuǐ): boiled water
看不起 (kànbuqǐ): to look down upon
看来 (kànlái): apparently
看望 (kànwàng): to pay a visit to; to see (sb)
考察 (kǎochá): to inspect
考虑 (kǎolǜ): to think over
棵 (kē): classifier for trees, cabbages, plants etc
可见 (kějiàn): it can clearly be seen (that this is the case)
空 (kòng): empty
空间 (kōngjiān): space; room
口袋 (kǒudai): pocket
口语 (kǒuyǔ): colloquial speech
苦 (kǔ): bitter
快递 (kuàidì): express delivery
会计 (kuàijì): accountant
宽 (kuān): wide
矿泉水 (kuàngquánshuǐ): mineral water
宽广 (kuānguǎng): wide
扩大 (kuòdà): to expand
括号 (kuòhào): parentheses; brackets
扩展 (kuòzhǎn): to extend

L

辣 (là): hot (spicy)
来不及 (láibují): there's not enough time (to do sth); it's too late
来得及 (láidejí): to have enough time; can do it in time; can still make it
来源 (láiyuán): source (of information etc)
垃圾 (lājī): trash
拉开 (lākāi): to pull open
老公 (lǎogōng): (coll.) husband
老家 (lǎojiā): native place
老婆 (lǎopo): (coll.) wife
老实 (lǎoshi): honest; sincere
泪 (lèi): (bound form) tears; teardrops
泪水 (lèishuǐ): teardrop
类型 (lèixíng): type; kind; category
冷静 (lěngjìng): calm; cool-headed; dispassionate
乐趣 (lèqù): delight; pleasure; joy
离不开 (lí bu kāi): inseparable
俩 (liǎ): two (colloquial equivalent of 兩個|两个)
量 (liáng): to measure
两边 (liǎngbiān): either side; both sides
良好 (liánghǎo): good
粮食 (liángshi): foodstuff
了不起 (liǎobuqǐ): amazing
了解 (liǎojiě): to understand
疗养 (liáoyǎng): to get well
列 (liè): to arrange
列车 (lièchē): (railway) train
列入 (lièrù): to include on a list
列为 (lièwéi): to be classified as
立即 (lìjí): immediately
厘米 (límǐ): centimeter
零食 (língshí): snack; nibbles
临时 (línshí): as the time draws near
力气 (lìqi): physical strength
历史 (lìshǐ): history
流传 (liúchuán): to spread; to circulate; to hand down
利息 (lìxī): interest (on a loan)
利益 (lìyì): benefit
楼梯 (lóutī): stair
陆地 (lùdì): dry land (as opposed to the sea)
轮 (lún): wheel; disk; ring
轮船 (lúnchuán): steamship; steamer; steamboat
论文 (lùnwén): paper
轮椅 (lúnyǐ): wheelchair
轮子 (lúnzi): wheel
落 (luò): to leave out
录取 (lùqǔ): to accept an applicant (prospective student, employee etc) who passes an entrance exam
律师 (lǜshī): lawyer
陆续 (lùxù): in turn

M

毛巾 (máojīn): towel
毛衣 (máoyī): (wool) sweater
帽子 (màozi): hat
没错 (méi cuò): that's right
没想到 (méi xiǎngdào): didn't expect
没法儿 (méifǎr): (coll.) can't do anything about it
美金 (měijīn): American dollar; US dollar
美女 (měinǚ): beautiful woman
梦 (mèng): dream (CL:場|场)
梦见 (mèngjiàn): to dream about (sth or sb)
梦想 (mèngxiǎng): (fig.) to dream of
密 (mì): dense; close; thick
免费 (miǎnfèi): free (of charge)
面临 (miànlín): to face sth; to be confronted with
面试 (miànshì): to be interviewed (as a candidate)
描述 (miáoshù): to describe
描写 (miáoxiě): to describe; to depict; to portray
密码 (mìmǎ): cipher; secret code
秘密 (mìmì): secret; private; confidential; clandestine
名牌儿 (míngpáir): erhua form of 名牌
名片 (míngpiàn): (business) card
名人 (míngrén): personage
密切 (mìqiè): close
秘书 (mìshū): secretary
摸 (mō): to feel with the hand
末 (mò): tip
默默 (mòmò): in silence; not speaking
模特儿 (mótèr): (fashion) model (loanword)
模型 (móxíng): model

N

哪 (na): how
难免 (nánmiǎn): hard to avoid
男女 (nánnǚ): male-female
男士 (nánshì): man
闹 (nào): noisy
脑袋 (nǎodai): head
闹钟 (nàozhōng): alarm clock
哪怕 (nǎpà): even
内部 (nèibù): interior
内科 (nèikē): internal medicine; general medicine
能干 (nénggàn): capable
宁静 (níngjìng): tranquil
浓 (nóng): concentrated
暖气 (nuǎnqì): central heating
女士 (nǚshì): lady

P

牌 (pái): signboard; plaque; plate; tablet (CL:塊|块)
排列 (páiliè): to arrange in order
拍照 (pāizhào): to take a picture
盘 (pán): tray; plate; dish
胖子 (pàngzi): fat person
盘子 (pánzi): tray
培训 (péixùn): to cultivate
培训班 (péixùnbān): training class
培养 (péiyǎng): to cultivate
培育 (péiyù): to train
批 (pī): to ascertain
片面 (piànmiàn): unilateral
平方 (píngfāng): square (as in square foot, square mile, square root)
平静 (píngjìng): tranquil
平均 (píngjūn): average; on average
平稳 (píngwěn): smooth; steady
品质 (pǐnzhì): character
破产 (pòchǎn): to go bankrupt
迫切 (pòqiè): urgent; pressing

Q

浅 (qiǎn): shallow
前头 (qiántou): in front
前途 (qiántú): prospects
巧克力 (qiǎokèlì): (loanword) chocolate
期待 (qīdài): to look forward to
切 (qiē): to cut; to slice; to carve
器官 (qìguān): (physiology) organ; apparatus
期间 (qījiān): period of time
期末 (qīmò): the end of a term or semester (in school)
亲爱 (qīn'ài): dear
青春 (qīngchūn): youth
情景 (qíngjǐng): scene; spectacle
轻松 (qīngsōng): light
清醒 (qīngxǐng): clear-headed
轻易 (qīngyì): easy; simple
亲密 (qīnmì): intimate
穷 (qióng): poor
穷人 (qióngrén): poor people
气球 (qìqiú): balloon
汽水 (qìshuǐ): soda pop; carbonated soft drink
秋季 (qiūjì): autumn
期限 (qīxiàn): time limit
企业 (qǐyè): company; firm; enterprise; corporation
汽油 (qìyóu): gasoline
其余 (qíyú): the rest
期中 (qīzhōng): interim
妻子 (qīzi): wife
圈 (quān): livestock enclosure; pen; fold; sty
权利 (quánlì): right (i.e. an entitlement to sth)
却 (què): but
确认 (quèrèn): to confirm
趋势 (qūshì): trend; tendency

R

然而 (rán'ér): however; but; yet
燃料 (ránliào): fuel
燃烧 (ránshāo): to ignite
热闹 (rènao): bustling with noise and excitement
人家 (rénjia): other people
热心 (rèxīn): enthusiastic; ardent; zealous
日记 (rìjì): diary
日历 (rìlì): calendar
如今 (rújīn): nowadays; now
弱 (ruò): weak; feeble

S

伞 (sǎn): umbrella
散 (sàn): scattered
扫 (sǎo): to sweep (with a brush or broom)
色 (sè): color
色彩 (sècǎi): tint; coloring; coloration
森林 (sēnlín): forest
晒 (shài): (of the sun) to shine on
闪 (shǎn): to dodge
闪电 (shǎndiàn): lightning
赏 (shǎng): to bestow (a reward)
上个月 (shàng ge yuè): last month
上楼 (shàng lóu): to go upstairs
伤害 (shānghài): to injure; to harm
上门 (shàngmén): to drop in
商务 (shāngwù): commercial affairs
善良 (shànliáng): good and honest
善于 (shànyú): to be good at; to be adept at
烧 (shāo): to burn
身材 (shēncái): stature
身份 (shēnfèn): identity; aspect of one's identity (e.g. mayor, father, permanent resident); role; capacity (as in "in his capacity as ..." 以 + ... + 的身份); status (social, legal etc); position; rank
身高 (shēngāo): (a person's) height
深厚 (shēnhòu): deep; profound
神话 (shénhuà): legend
神秘 (shénmì): mysterious
申请 (shēnqǐng): to apply for sth
甚至 (shènzhì): even; so much so that
设施 (shèshī): facilities
设置 (shèzhì): to set up; to install
诗 (shī): poem
湿 (shī): moist
失败 (shībài): to be defeated
士兵 (shìbīng): soldier
似的 (shìde): seems as if
是否 (shìfǒu): whether (or not)
使劲 (shǐjìn): to exert all one's strength
试卷 (shìjuàn): examination paper
市区 (shìqū): urban district
诗人 (shīrén): bard
实施 (shíshī): to implement
食堂 (shítáng): dining hall; cafeteria
失望 (shīwàng): disappointed
事物 (shìwù): thing; object
事先 (shìxiān): in advance
失业 (shīyè): unemployment
实用 (shíyòng): to apply in practice
守 (shǒu): to guard
首 (shǒu): head
手里 (shǒu li): in hand
受不了 (shòubuliǎo): unbearable
手工 (shǒugōng): handwork
收回 (shōuhuí): to regain
收获 (shōuhuò): to harvest
售货员 (shòuhuòyuán): sales clerk; sales associate; retail salesperson
手术 (shǒushù): (surgical) operation
手套 (shǒutào): glove
收益 (shōuyì): earnings
刷 (shuā): a brush
刷牙 (shuā yá): to brush one's teeth
帅 (shuài): (bound form) commander-in-chief
帅哥 (shuàigē): handsome guy
率先 (shuàixiān): to take the lead
刷子 (shuāzi): brush
睡着 (shuìzháo): to fall asleep
暑假 (shǔjià): summer vacation
数据 (shùjù): data
熟练 (shúliàn): practiced
树林 (shùlín): woods
数码 (shùmǎ): number
顺序 (shùnxù): sequence
说不定 (shuōbudìng): can't say for sure
说服 (shuōfú): to persuade
舒适 (shūshì): cozy
叔叔 (shūshu): father's younger brother; paternal uncle
树叶 (shùyè): tree leaves
似乎 (sìhū): it seems; seemingly; as if
思考 (sīkǎo): to reflect on
松 (sōng): pine
松树 (sōngshù): pine
酸 (suān): sour
酸奶 (suānnǎi): yogurt
随手 (suíshǒu): conveniently
塑料 (sùliào): plastic; plastics (general term for synthetic polymer materials)
塑料袋 (sùliàodài): plastic bag
孙女 (sūnnǚ): son's daughter
孙子 (sūnzi): grandson
缩短 (suōduǎn): to shorten; to reduce; to curtail
缩小 (suōxiǎo): to reduce; to decrease; to shrink

T

台阶 (táijiē): steps
台上 (táishàng): on stage
躺 (tǎng): to recline
套餐 (tàocān): set meal
特价 (tèjià): special price
特殊 (tèshū): special
特征 (tèzhēng): characteristic
替 (tì): to substitute for
填 (tián): to fill or stuff
填空 (tiánkòng): to fill a job vacancy
天真 (tiānzhēn): naive
挑 (tiāo): to carry on a shoulder pole
调皮 (tiáopí): naughty
挑选 (tiāoxuǎn): to choose
挑战 (tiǎozhàn): to challenge; to take on a challenge; a challenge
体操 (tǐcāo): gymnastic
替代 (tìdài): to substitute for
贴 (tiē): to stick
提供 (tígōng): to offer
体检 (tǐjiǎn): abbr. for 體格檢查|体格检查
挺 (tǐng): straight
停下 (tíngxia): to stop
提醒 (tíxǐng): to remind
体重 (tǐzhòng): body weight
童话 (tónghuà): children's fairy tales
统计 (tǒngjì): statistics
痛快 (tòngkuài): delighted
童年 (tóngnián): childhood
同情 (tóngqíng): to sympathize with
统一 (tǒngyī): to unify; to integrate
通知书 (tōngzhīshū): written notice
投 (tóu): to throw (sth in a specific direction: ball, javelin, grenade etc)
透 (tòu): (bound form) to penetrate; to seep through
透明 (tòumíng): transparent
投入 (tóurù): to throw into
投诉 (tóusù): to lodge a complaint
投资 (tóuzī): investment
图案 (tú'àn): design; pattern
土地 (tǔdì): land
推迟 (tuīchí): to postpone
推销 (tuīxiāo): to market
脱 (tuō): to shed
途中 (túzhōng): en route

W

外汇 (wàihuì): foreign (currency) exchange
外交官 (wàijiāoguān): diplomat
外套 (wàitào): outer garment; jacket; coat
弯 (wān): to bend
晚点 (wǎndiǎn): (of trains etc) late
王 (wáng): king or monarch
网络 (wǎngluò): network (computing, telecommunications, transport etc)
网址 (wǎngzhǐ): web address; URL
万一 (wànyī): just in case
袜子 (wàzi): socks
喂 (wèi): hey
尾巴 (wěiba): tail
未必 (wèibì): not necessarily
维持 (wéichí): to keep; to maintain; to preserve
维护 (wéihù): to defend
围巾 (wéijīn): scarf
未来 (wèilái): future
味儿 (wèir): taste
微笑 (wēixiào): smile
微信 (wēixìn): Weixin or WeChat (mobile text and voice messaging service developed by Tencent 騰訊|腾讯)
维修 (wéixiū): maintenance (of equipment)
位于 (wèiyú): to be located at
位置 (wèizhì): position
稳 (wěn): settled; steady; stable
稳定 (wěndìng): steady
问候 (wènhòu): to give one's respects
无 (wú): not to have
无法 (wúfǎ): unable to; incapable of
误会 (wùhuì): to misunderstand
无聊 (wúliáo): bored
无论 (wúlùn): no matter what or how
无数 (wúshù): countless
无所谓 (wúsuǒwèi): to be indifferent
无限 (wúxiàn): unlimited
五颜六色 (wǔyán-liùsè): multicolored

X

吸 (xī): to breathe
细 (xì): thin or slender
喜爱 (xǐ'ài): to like
下个月 (xià ge yuè): next month
下楼 (xià lóu): to go downstairs
夏季 (xiàjì): summer
下降 (xiàjiàng): to decline
鲜 (xiān): fresh
咸 (xián): all
县 (xiàn): county
箱 (xiāng): box
项 (xiàng): back of neck
相处 (xiāngchǔ): to be in contact (with sb)
相反 (xiāngfǎn): opposite
项目 (xiàngmù): item; project; (sports) event
想念 (xiǎngniàn): to miss
相片 (xiàngpiàn): image
想象 (xiǎngxiàng): to imagine; to envision
箱子 (xiāngzi): suitcase
鲜花 (xiānhuā): flower
鲜明 (xiānmíng): (of colors) bright; fresh and clear
限制 (xiànzhì): to restrict
显著 (xiǎnzhù): outstanding
小吃 (xiǎochī): street food; snack
消化 (xiāohuà): to digest (food)
小伙子 (xiǎohuǒzi): young man
效率 (xiàolǜ): efficiency
销售 (xiāoshòu): to sell
小型 (xiǎoxíng): small scale
下载 (xiàzài): to download
些 (xiē): classifier indicating a small amount or small number greater than 1: some, a few, several
西瓜 (xīguā): watermelon
吸管 (xīguǎn): (drinking) straw
细节 (xìjié): details; particulars
系列 (xìliè): series
型 (xíng): mold
醒 (xǐng): to wake up
兴奋 (xīngfèn): excited
型号 (xínghào): model (particular version of a manufactured article)
兴趣 (xìngqù): interest (desire to know about sth)
形容 (xíngróng): to describe
形势 (xíngshì): circumstances
性质 (xìngzhì): nature
新郎 (xīnláng): bridegroom; groom
心理 (xīnlǐ): psychology; mentality
新娘 (xīnniáng): bride
新鲜 (xīnxiān): fresh (experience, food etc)
新型 (xīnxíng): new type; new kind
胸部 (xiōngbù): chest
兄弟 (xiōngdì): brothers
吸收 (xīshōu): to absorb
系统 (xìtǒng): system
修理 (xiūlǐ): to repair
吸烟 (xīyān): to smoke
吸引 (xīyǐn): to attract; to appeal to; to fascinate
细致 (xìzhì): delicate
选择 (xuǎnzé): to select; to pick
学分 (xuéfēn): course credit
学年 (xuénián): academic year
学时 (xuéshí): class hour
学术 (xuéshù): learning
学问 (xuéwen): learning; knowledge; scholarship
迅速 (xùnsù): rapid
寻找 (xúnzhǎo): to seek; to look for

Y

牙 (yá): tooth
呀 (ya): (particle equivalent to 啊 after a vowel, expressing surprise or doubt)
严 (yán): tight (closely sealed)
盐 (yán): salt
延长 (yáncháng): to prolong
养成 (yǎngchéng): to cultivate
严格 (yángé): strict; stringent; tight; rigorous
阳台 (yángtái): balcony
演讲 (yǎnjiǎng): to give a lecture; to make a speech
眼镜 (yǎnjìng): spectacles
研究 (yánjiū): research
研究生 (yánjiūshēng): graduate student
眼泪 (yǎnlèi): tear; teardrop
眼里 (yǎnli)
延期 (yánqī): to delay
延续 (yánxù): to continue
研制 (yánzhì): to research and manufacture; to research and to develop
严重 (yánzhòng): grave; serious; severe; critical
腰 (yāo): the waist and lower back
摇 (yáo): to shake
要 (yào): to want; to need; to ask for
药物 (yàowù): medicaments
牙刷 (yáshuā): toothbrush
亚运会 (Yàyùnhuì): Asian Games
业余 (yèyú): in one's spare time
叶子 (yèzi): leaf (CL:片)
移 (yí): to move
一般来说 (yībānláishuō): generally speaking
遗产 (yíchǎn): heritage
遗传 (yíchuán): heredity
移动 (yídòng): to move
以及 (yǐjí): and; as well as
依靠 (yīkào): to rely on sth (for support etc); to depend on
医疗 (yīliáo): medical treatment
一律 (yīlǜ): same; identical
议论 (yìlùn): to comment
移民 (yímín): to immigrate
引 (yǐn): to draw (e.g. a bow)
引导 (yǐndǎo): to guide
以内 (yǐnèi): within
应 (yīng): to agree (to do sth)
赢得 (yíngdé): to win
营业 (yíngyè): to do business
英勇 (yīngyǒng): heroic
影子 (yǐngzi): shadow
引进 (yǐnjìn): to recommend
引起 (yǐnqǐ): to give rise to; to lead to; to cause; to arouse
依然 (yīrán): still; as before
疑问 (yíwèn): question
义务 (yìwù): duty; obligation (CL:項|项)
医学 (yīxué): medicine
一再 (yīzài): repeatedly
一致 (yīzhì): consistent; unanimous; in agreement
勇敢 (yǒnggǎn): brave; courageous
勇气 (yǒngqì): courage
用途 (yòngtú): use; application
幼儿园 (yòu'éryuán): kindergarten
有劲儿 (yǒujìnr)
邮局 (yóujú): post office
优良 (yōuliáng): fine
优美 (yōuměi): graceful
有趣 (yǒuqù): interesting; fascinating; amusing
有限 (yǒuxiàn): limited; finite
优秀 (yōuxiù): outstanding; excellent
玉 (yù): jade
遇 (yù): (bound form) to encounter; to happen upon; to meet unplanned
圆 (yuán): circle
原料 (yuánliào): raw material
圆满 (yuánmǎn): satisfactory; consummate; perfect
原则 (yuánzé): principle
预测 (yùcè): to forecast
遇到 (yùdào): to meet; to run into; to come across
预订 (yùdìng): to place an order
月底 (yuèdǐ): end of the month
阅读 (yuèdú): to read
约会 (yuēhuì): appointment
语法 (yǔfǎ): grammar
遇见 (yùjiàn): to meet
玉米 (yùmǐ): corn
运动会 (yùndònghuì): sports competition
运动员 (yùndòngyuán): athlete
运气 (yùnqi): luck (good or bad)
运用 (yùnyòng): to use
于是 (yúshì): thereupon; as a result; consequently; thus; hence
语音 (yǔyīn): speech sounds

Z

在乎 (zàihu): to rest with; to lie in; to be due to (a certain attribute)
再三 (zàisān): over and over again
在于 (zàiyú): to rest with; to lie in; to be due to (a certain attribute)
赞成 (zànchéng): to approve
赞赏 (zànshǎng): to admire
赞助 (zànzhù): to support
造型 (zàoxíng): to model; to shape
战斗 (zhàndòu): to fight
丈夫 (zhàngfu): husband
战胜 (zhànshèng): to prevail over
战士 (zhànshì): fighter
战争 (zhànzhēng): war; conflict
着 (zháo): to touch
招呼 (zhāohu): to call out to
着火 (zháohuǒ): to catch fire
着急 (zháojí): to worry; to feel anxious
召开 (zhàokāi): to convene (a conference or meeting)
折 (zhé): to break
针 (zhēn): needle
阵 (zhèn): disposition of troops
针对 (zhēnduì): to target; to focus on; to be aimed at or against; in response to
征服 (zhēngfú): to conquer
政府 (zhèngfǔ): government
争论 (zhēnglùn): to argue
征求 (zhēngqiú): to solicit
政治 (zhèngzhì): politics
支 (zhī): to support
治 (zhì): to rule
制订 (zhìdìng): to work out
之后 (zhīhòu): after; behind
指挥 (zhǐhuī): to conduct
之间 (zhījiān): (after a noun) between; among; amid
智力 (zhìlì): intelligence
质量 (zhìliàng): (physics) mass
治疗 (zhìliáo): to treat (an illness)
智能 (zhìnéng): intelligent
之前 (zhīqián): before
植物 (zhíwù): plant
之一 (zhīyī): one of (sth)
种 (zhòng): seed
中奖 (zhòngjiǎng): to win a prize (in a lottery etc)
中介 (zhōngjiè): to act as intermediary
种类 (zhǒnglèi): kind
重量 (zhòngliàng): weight
种植 (zhòngzhí): to plant; to grow (a crop); to cultivate
抓紧 (zhuājǐn): to keep a firm grip on
转动 (zhuǎndòng): to turn sth around
转告 (zhuǎngào): to pass on
装修 (zhuāngxiū): to decorate
装置 (zhuāngzhì): to install
转身 (zhuǎnshēn): (of a person) to turn round
转弯 (zhuǎnwān): to turn
专心 (zhuānxīn): to focus one's attention; to concentrate on (doing sth)
转移 (zhuǎnyí): to shift; to relocate; to transfer
逐步 (zhúbù): progressively
祝福 (zhùfú): blessings
追求 (zhuīqiú): to pursue (a goal etc) stubbornly
逐渐 (zhújiàn): gradually
著名 (zhùmíng): famous
准时 (zhǔnshí): on time
主题 (zhǔtí): theme
主席 (zhǔxí): chairperson
著作 (zhùzuò): to write
自 (zì): (bound form) self; oneself
资料 (zīliào): material
字母 (zìmǔ): letter (of the alphabet)
自信 (zìxìn): to have confidence in oneself
资源 (zīyuán): natural resource (such as water or minerals)
总共 (zǒnggòng): altogether; in sum; in all; in total
综合 (zōnghé): comprehensive
总理 (zǒnglǐ): premier
总统 (zǒngtǒng): president (of a country)
总之 (zǒngzhī): in a word
嘴巴 (zuǐba): mouth (CL:張|张)
最初 (zuìchū): first
作出 (zuòchū): to put out
做梦 (zuòmèng): to dream; to have a dream; (fig.) to indulge in wishful thinking
作为 (zuòwéi): one's conduct
阻止 (zǔzhǐ): to prevent

Frequently asked questions

How many words do I need for HSK 4?

1,000 new words at level 4, 3,245 cumulative under HSK 3.0. The older HSK 2.0 exam's level 4 list was 1,200 cumulative words.

Is HSK 4 good enough for university in China?

It's the common minimum: many Chinese-taught degree programs ask for HSK 4 with a score around 180+, and competitive universities often want HSK 5. Check your target program's current requirements.

What level is HSK 4 in CEFR terms?

Roughly B1: you can handle most situations on familiar topics and follow the main points of clear standard input. The mapping is approximate; see the comparison in our HSK levels guide.

Building toward HSK 4? Create a free Chenjin account: read at your level with tap-to-lookup, mine words into flashcards with their sentences, and watch the HSK 4 grid fill in.

HSK 4 Vocabulary: The Full 1,000-Word List (with Pinyin)

The HSK 4 words that matter most

Why HSK 4 words don't stick (and what to do)

The full HSK 4 word list

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

J

K

L

M

N

P

Q

R

S

T

W

X

Y

Z

Frequently asked questions

How many words do I need for HSK 4?

Is HSK 4 good enough for university in China?

What level is HSK 4 in CEFR terms?

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