HSK 5 Vocabulary: The Full 1,071-Word List (with Pinyin)

沉浸 TeamAugust 13, 202629 min read

The HSK 5 vocabulary list adds 1,071 words under the current HSK 3.0 standard, for a cumulative total of 4,316. The full list is below with pinyin and meanings. HSK 5 is upper-intermediate territory: with this vocabulary you can read newspapers and novels with dictionary support and discuss abstract topics in real conversations.

(The older HSK 2.0 standard put level 5 at 2,500 cumulative words; the current lists are nearly double that. How the two standards relate is covered in our HSK levels guide.)

The HSK 5 words that matter most

Level 5 vocabulary is the language of ideas: thought, systems, and disagreement. These fifteen show up everywhere in essays, news, and serious conversation:

Learning abstract vocabulary that sticks

By HSK 5 the flashcard-first approach has fully inverted: reading is the engine and cards are the maintenance crew. A word like 制约 has no stable English twin, so its meaning has to come from the sentences it lives in.

Read widely at level. Our HSK 5 reading practice guide collects free stories and real-world texts in this range, including full graded novels.
Save words with their sentences. Chenjin's reader sends any tapped word to flashcards together with the sentence you found it in, so reviews rebuild the context instead of testing a bare gloss.
Use the grid to find blind spots. The vocabulary page shows all 1,071 level-5 words colored by what you know. Reading naturally covers most of the list; the grid shows you the tail that needs deliberate study.
Add listening pressure. HSK 5 audio moves at native-adjacent speed. Dictation practice (typing what you hear, sentence by sentence) is the fastest fix, and Chenjin has a dictation mode built into every story.

The full HSK 5 word list

All 1,071 HSK 3.0 level 5 words, sorted by pinyin (totals can vary by a few depending on how multi-use entries are counted). For any word's characters, examples, and audio, search the dictionary or open the level as an interactive grid on the vocabulary page.

A

岸 (àn): bank; shore; beach; coast
岸上 (àn shang): ashore
按摩 (ànmó): massage
安慰 (ānwèi): to comfort; to console

B

拔 (bá): to pull up
拜访 (bàifǎng): to pay a visit; to call on
白酒 (báijiǔ): baijiu, a spirit usually distilled from sorghum
版 (bǎn): a register
棒 (bàng): stick
扮演 (bànyǎn): to play the role of
报答 (bàodá): to repay
报警 (bàojǐng): to sound an alarm
包围 (bāowéi): to surround; to encircle; to hem in
保卫 (bǎowèi): to defend
保养 (bǎoyǎng): to take good care of (or conserve) one's health
抱怨 (bàoyuàn): to complain
包装 (bāozhuāng): to wrap; to package (goods etc)
辈 (bèi): lifetime
背包 (bēibāo): knapsack
被动 (bèidòng): passive
北极 (běijí): the North Pole
悲剧 (bēijù): tragedy
悲伤 (bēishāng): sad; sorrowful
本人 (běnrén): I; me; myself
必 (bì): certainly
变动 (biàndòng): to change
编辑 (biānjí): to edit
边境 (biānjìng): frontier; border
便利 (biànlì): convenient
便条 (biàntiáo): (informal) note
便于 (biànyú): easy to; convenient for
彼此 (bǐcǐ): each other; one another
比方 (bǐfang): analogy
毕竟 (bìjìng): after all
闭幕 (bìmù): the curtain falls
闭幕式 (bìmùshì): closing ceremony
饼 (bǐng): round flat cake
病毒 (bìngdú): virus
饼干 (bǐnggān): biscuit; cracker; cookie
宾馆 (bīnguǎn): guesthouse
必需 (bìxū): to need
比重 (bǐzhòng): proportion
鼻子 (bízi): nose
博客 (bókè): (loanword) a blog; a blogger
博览会 (bólǎnhuì): an exposition; an international fair
玻璃 (bōli): glass
薄弱 (bóruò): weak; frail
博士 (bóshì): doctor (as an academic degree)
博物馆 (bówùguǎn): museum
不耐烦 (bù nàifán): impatient
不能不 (bù néng bù): have to
不停 (bù tíng): incessant
不曾 (bùcéng): hasn't yet; hasn't ever
补偿 (bǔcháng): to compensate
不得了 (bùdéliǎo): desperately serious
不敢当 (bùgǎndāng): lit. I dare not (accept the honor); fig. I don't deserve your praise
不顾 (bùgù): in spite of; regardless of
不利 (bùlì): unfavorable
不良 (bùliáng): bad; harmful; unhealthy
不免 (bùmiǎn): inevitably
不时 (bùshí): from time to time
补贴 (bǔtiē): to subsidize
部位 (bùwèi): part (esp. of the body, but also of a vegetable, e.g. the root, or a garment, e.g. the sleeve, etc)
不幸 (bùxìng): misfortune
不许 (bùxǔ): not to allow
不易 (bùyì): not easy to do sth
不止 (bùzhǐ): incessantly
不足 (bùzú): insufficient

C

猜 (cāi): to guess
猜测 (cāicè): to guess
采购 (cǎigòu): to procure (for an enterprise etc)
裁判 (cáipàn): (law) to judge; to adjudicate; verdict; judgement
彩票 (cǎipiào): lottery ticket
餐馆 (cānguǎn): restaurant
餐厅 (cāntīng): dining hall
餐饮 (cānyǐn): food and beverage
草原 (cǎoyuán): grassland
册 (cè): book
层次 (céngcì): layer
叉 (chā): fork
插 (chā): to insert
差别 (chābié): difference; distinction; disparity
差点儿 (chàdiǎnr): erhua variant of 差點|差点
拆 (chāi): to tear open
拆除 (chāichú): to tear down
差距 (chājù): disparity
肠 (cháng): intestines
尝 (cháng): to taste; to try (food)
倡导 (chàngdǎo): to advocate
长度 (chángdù): length
场面 (chǎngmiàn): scene
尝试 (chángshì): to try (to see what it's like or whether one can do it)
长寿 (chángshòu): longevity
厂长 (chǎngzhǎng): factory director
产业 (chǎnyè): industry
超越 (chāoyuè): to surpass; to exceed; to transcend
查询 (cháxún): to check
差一点儿 (chàyīdiǎnr): erhua variant of 差一點|差一点
叉子 (chāzi): fork
称 (chēng): to weigh
乘 (chéng): to ride
乘车 (chéng chē): to ride (in a car or carriage)
承办 (chéngbàn): to undertake
成本 (chéngběn): (manufacturing, production etc) costs
称号 (chēnghào): name
成交 (chéngjiāo): to complete a contract
乘客 (chéngkè): passenger
城里 (chénglǐ)
成效 (chéngxiào): effect
成语 (chéngyǔ): Chinese set expression, typically of 4 characters, often alluding to a story or historical quotation; idiom; proverb; saying; adage
乘坐 (chéngzuò): to take (a ship, plane etc); to ride (in a train or other vehicle)
车主 (chēzhǔ): vehicle owner
迟 (chí): late
吃力 (chīlì): to entail strenuous effort
池子 (chízi): pond
冲动 (chōngdòng): to have an urge
冲突 (chōngtū): conflict
充足 (chōngzú): adequate
愁 (chóu): to worry about
丑 (chǒu): clown
臭 (chòu): stench
传达 (chuándá): to pass on
传递 (chuándì): to transmit; to pass on to sb else
闯 (chuǎng): to rush
创立 (chuànglì): to establish; to set up; to found
窗帘 (chuānglián): window curtains
传真 (chuánzhēn): to fax
出版 (chūbǎn): to publish
出差 (chūchāi): to go on an official or business trip
处罚 (chǔfá): to penalize
厨房 (chúfáng): kitchen
除非 (chúfēi): only if (..., or otherwise, ...)
处分 (chǔfèn): to discipline sb
出汗 (chūhàn): to perspire
初期 (chūqī): initial stage
除夕 (chúxī): lunar New Year's Eve
出于 (chūyú): due to
处在 (chǔzài): to be situated at
辞典 (cídiǎn): dictionary (variant of 詞典|词典)
此后 (cǐhòu): after this
此刻 (cǐkè): this moment
此时 (cǐshí): now
辞职 (cízhí): to resign
从而 (cóng'ér): thus; thereby
聪明 (cōngmíng): intelligent; clever; bright
从中 (cóngzhōng): from within
脆 (cuì): brittle
寸 (cùn): a unit of length
存款 (cúnkuǎn): to deposit money (in a bank etc)

D

答 (dá): to answer
打 (dǎ): (loanword) dozen
打扮 (dǎban): to decorate
打包 (dǎbāo): to wrap; to pack
达成 (dáchéng): to reach (an agreement)
大胆 (dàdǎn): brazen
大都 (dàdū): for the most part
答复 (dáfù): to answer
大纲 (dàgāng): synopsis
大伙儿 (dàhuǒr): erhua variant of 大伙
呆 (dāi): foolish; stupid
待 (dāi): to stay; to remain
代价 (dàijià): price
贷款 (dàikuǎn): a loan
代理 (dàilǐ): to act on behalf of sb in a responsible position
带有 (dàiyǒu): to have as a feature or characteristic; to have an element of (confidence, sweetness, malevolence etc); to carry (a pathogen, connotation etc)
打击 (dǎjī): to hit
打架 (dǎjià): to fight
大奖赛 (dàjiǎngsài): grand prix
胆 (dǎn): gall bladder
大脑 (dànǎo): brain
挡 (dǎng): to resist
蛋糕 (dàngāo): cake
当场 (dāngchǎng): at the scene; on the spot
当代 (dāngdài): the present age
当年 (dāngnián): in those days; back then; in those years
当前 (dāngqián): the present time
当选 (dāngxuǎn): to be elected; to be selected
胆小 (dǎnxiǎo): cowardice
单一 (dānyī): single
道德 (dàodé): virtue
到来 (dàolái): to arrive
倒是 (dàoshì): contrary to what one might expect
打扰 (dǎrǎo): to disturb
大事 (dàshì): major event
大厅 (dàtīng): hall; concourse; public lounge; (hotel) lobby
大象 (dàxiàng): elephant
大熊猫 (dàxióngmāo): giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
大于 (dàyú): greater than; bigger than; more than
大致 (dàzhì): more or less; roughly; approximately
得了 (déle): all right!
等候 (děnghòu): to wait
等级 (děngjí): grade
得以 (déyǐ): able to
递 (dì): to hand over; to pass on; to deliver
递给 (dì gěi): to hand it (i.e. the aforementioned item) to (sb)
电池 (diànchí): battery; electric cell
电饭锅 (diànfànguō): electric rice cooker
典礼 (diǎnlǐ): ceremony; celebration
点燃 (diǎnrán): to ignite
电子版 (diànzǐbǎn): electronic edition
调动 (diàodòng): to transfer
地带 (dìdài): zone
丢 (diū): to lose
地形 (dìxíng): topography
低于 (dīyú): to be lower than
地震 (dìzhèn): earthquake
冻 (dòng): to freeze
洞 (dòng): cave
动机 (dòngjī): motive; motivation
动手 (dòngshǒu): to set about (a task)
动态 (dòngtài): movement
动员 (dòngyuán): to mobilize
豆制品 (dòuzhìpǐn): legume-based product
毒 (dú): poison
堆 (duī): to pile up
对立 (duìlì): to oppose
对应 (duìyìng): to correspond (to); to be equivalent to; to be a counterpart to
吨 (dūn): ton (loanword)
朵 (duǒ): flower
躲 (duǒ): to hide

E

耳朵 (ěrduo): ear
儿女 (érnǚ): children; sons and daughters
二维码 (èrwéimǎ): 2D barcode; matrix code

F

罚 (fá): to punish; to penalize; to fine
发布 (fābù): to release
法规 (fǎguī): legislation
发觉 (fājué): to become aware
罚款 (fákuǎn): to fine
放大 (fàngdà): to enlarge
放弃 (fàngqì): to renounce; to abandon; to give up
防治 (fángzhì): to prevent and cure
返回 (fǎnhuí): to return to
繁荣 (fánróng): prosperous; booming
发射 (fāshè): to shoot (a projectile)
发行 (fāxíng): to publish; to issue; to release; to distribute
法制 (fǎzhì): legal system and institutions
分成 (fēnchéng): to divide (into)
封 (fēng): to confer
疯 (fēng): insane
风度 (fēngdù): elegance (for men)
风光 (fēngguāng): scene
疯狂 (fēngkuáng): crazy; frenzied; wild
丰收 (fēngshōu): to reap a bumper harvest
分解 (fēnjiě): to resolve
分类 (fēnlèi): to classify
分离 (fēnlí): to separate
分析 (fēnxī): to analyze
分享 (fēnxiǎng): to share (let others have some of sth good)
扶 (fú): to support with the hand
幅 (fú): width
服从 (fúcóng): to obey (an order)
幅度 (fúdù): width
附件 (fùjiàn): appendix (in a document)
福利 (fúlì): material benefit
负责人 (fùzérén): person in charge
辅助 (fǔzhù): to assist; to aid

G

改革 (gǎigé): reform
干脆 (gāncuì): candid
钢笔 (gāngbǐ): fountain pen
钢琴 (gāngqín): piano
干扰 (gānrǎo): to disturb
感想 (gǎnxiǎng): impressions
干预 (gānyù): to meddle
搞 (gǎo): to do
高大 (gāodà): tall; lofty; towering
高度 (gāodù): height
高跟鞋 (gāogēnxié): high-heeled shoes
搞好 (gǎohǎo): to do well at
高温 (gāowēn): high temperature
高于 (gāoyú): greater than
高原 (gāoyuán): plateau
隔壁 (gébì): next door
更换 (gēnghuàn): to replace (a worn-out tire etc)
更新 (gēngxīn): to replace the old with new
跟前 (gēnqián): the front (of)
跟随 (gēnsuí): to follow
歌曲 (gēqǔ): song
个儿 (gèr): size
公告 (gōnggào): post
共计 (gòngjì): to sum up to
公认 (gōngrèn): publicly known (to be)
公式 (gōngshì): formula
共享 (gòngxiǎng): to share
工艺 (gōngyì): arts and crafts
工艺品 (gōngyìpǐn): handicraft article
公正 (gōngzhèng): just; fair; equitable
工作日 (gōngzuòrì): workday
沟 (gōu): ditch
沟通 (gōutōng): to join; to connect; to link up
鼓 (gǔ): drum
怪 (guài): odd; strange; uncanny
广 (guǎng): wide
广泛 (guǎngfàn): wide; broad; extensive; widespread
光荣 (guāngróng): honor and glory
光线 (guāngxiàn): light ray
关怀 (guānhuái): care
关键 (guānjiàn): crucial point
冠军 (guànjūn): champion
鬼 (guǐ): disembodied spirit; ghost; devil
规划 (guīhuà): to draw up a plan; to map out a program
柜子 (guìzi): cupboard
估计 (gūjì): to estimate; to assess; to calculate
古老 (gǔlǎo): ancient
鼓励 (gǔlì): to encourage
滚 (gǔn): to boil
锅 (guō): pot; pan; wok; cauldron
过度 (guòdù): excessive
国籍 (guójí): nationality
国民 (guómín): nationals
过敏 (guòmǐn): (medicine) allergic; hypersensitive
过于 (guòyú): excessively; too
顾问 (gùwèn): adviser
鼓掌 (gǔzhǎng): to applaud

H

害 (hài): to do harm to
汗 (hàn): perspiration
好运 (hǎoyùn): good luck
号召 (hàozhào): to call
盒 (hé): small box
合并 (hébìng): to merge
合成 (héchéng): to compose
盒饭 (héfàn): meal in a partitioned box
贺卡 (hèkǎ): greeting card
恨 (hèn): to hate
盒子 (hézi): box; case
猴 (hóu): monkey
后悔 (hòuhuǐ): to regret; to feel remorse
虎 (hǔ): tiger
滑 (huá): to slip; to slide
划分 (huàfēn): to divide up
画面 (huàmiàn): scene
慌 (huāng): to get panicky; to lose one's head
慌忙 (huāngmáng): in a great rush
环节 (huánjié): (zoology) segment (of the body of a worm, centipede etc)
化石 (huàshí): fossil
华语 (Huáyǔ): Chinese language
回报 (huíbào): (in) return
回避 (huíbì): to shun
恢复 (huīfù): to reinstate
回顾 (huígù): to look back
汇款 (huìkuǎn): to remit money
灰色 (huīsè): gray
回收 (huíshōu): to recycle
会谈 (huìtán): talks
回头 (huítóu): to turn round; to turn one's head
回信 (huíxìn): to reply
回忆 (huíyì): to recall
火柴 (huǒchái): match (for lighting fire)
活力 (huólì): energy
活泼 (huópō): lively
或是 (huòshì): or
火腿 (huǒtuǐ): ham
火灾 (huǒzāi): serious fire (in a city or a forest etc)
胡同儿 (hútòngr): erhua form of 胡同
胡子 (húzi): beard

J

挤 (jǐ): to crowd in
夹 (jiā): to press from either side
甲 (jiǎ): first of the ten Heavenly Stems 十天干
价 (jià): price
肩 (jiān): shoulder
剪 (jiǎn): (bound form) scissors or similar tool
键 (jiàn): key (on a piano or computer keyboard)
剪刀 (jiǎndāo): scissors
坚定 (jiāndìng): firm
将 (jiāng): will
奖励 (jiǎnglì): to reward
将要 (jiāngyào): will
间接 (jiànjiē): indirect
艰苦 (jiānkǔ): difficult
艰难 (jiānnán): difficult
键盘 (jiànpán): keyboard
减轻 (jiǎnqīng): to lighten
健全 (jiànquán): robust
检验 (jiǎnyàn): to inspect
建造 (jiànzào): to construct; to build
建筑 (jiànzhù): to construct
剪子 (jiǎnzi): clippers
脚步 (jiǎobù): footstep
交代 (jiāodài): to transfer (duties to sb else)
胶带 (jiāodài): adhesive tape
郊区 (jiāoqū): suburban district; outskirts; suburbs
胶水 (jiāoshuǐ): glue
加热 (jiārè): to heat
加上 (jiāshàng): plus
驾驶 (jiàshǐ): to drive (vehicle); to pilot (ship, airplane etc)
加速 (jiāsù): to accelerate; to speed up; to expedite
加以 (jiāyǐ): (formal) to apply; to carry out; to take action to (do sth) (used before a disyllabic verb, indicating that the action is directed at sth previously mentioned, e.g. 加以說明|加以说明); to apply (restrictions etc); to give (support, consideration etc)
驾照 (jiàzhào): driver's license (abbr. for 駕駛執照|驾驶执照)
继承 (jìchéng): to inherit
基地 (jīdì): base (of operations, industrial, military, research etc)
戒 (jiè): to guard against
届 (jiè): to arrive at (place or time)
接触 (jiēchù): to touch
解除 (jiěchú): to remove
解放 (jiěfàng): to liberate
接连 (jiēlián): on end
基金 (jījīn): fund
尽可能 (jìn kěnéng): see 儘可能|尽可能
技能 (jìnéng): technical ability
经费 (jīngfèi): funds
警告 (jǐnggào): to warn
竞赛 (jìngsài): to compete; to race
尽管 (jǐnguǎn): despite
景象 (jǐngxiàng): scene
竞争 (jìngzhēng): to compete
进化 (jìnhuà): to evolve (biologically, technologically etc); evolution
紧紧 (jǐnjǐn): closely
近来 (jìnlái): recently
今日 (jīnrì): today
机器人 (jīqìrén): robot; android
肌肉 (jīròu): muscle
即使 (jíshǐ): even if; even though
集团 (jítuán): group
酒鬼 (jiǔguǐ): drunkard
救灾 (jiùzāi): to relieve disaster
记忆 (jìyì): to remember; to recall
机制 (jīzhì): mechanism
剧本 (jùběn): script; screenplay; scenario; libretto
举动 (jǔdòng): act
决不 (jué bù): not at all
绝望 (juéwàng): to despair
拒绝 (jùjué): to refuse; to decline; to reject
俱乐部 (jùlèbù): (loanword) club (the organization or its premises)
局面 (júmiàn): aspect
军人 (jūnrén): serviceman
居然 (jūrán): unexpectedly
局长 (júzhǎng): bureau chief

K

开幕 (kāimù): to open (a conference)
开幕式 (kāimùshì): opening ceremony
看成 (kànchéng): to regard as
看出 (kànchū): to make out
看待 (kàndài): to look upon; to regard
考核 (kǎohé): to examine
靠近 (kàojìn): to be close to
烤肉 (kǎoròu): to barbecue meat; to roast meat
烤鸭 (kǎoyā): roast duck
颗 (kē): classifier for small spheres, pearls, corn grains, teeth, hearts, satellites etc
咳 (ké): cough
可 (kě): (prefix) can; may; able to; -able
刻 (kè): quarter (hour)
客户 (kèhù): client; customer
可怜 (kělián): pitiful
肯定 (kěndìng): to be certain; to be positive
客气 (kèqi): polite
课题 (kètí): task
客厅 (kètīng): living room; sitting room
渴望 (kěwàng): to thirst for
可惜 (kěxī): it is a pity
控制 (kòngzhì): to control
空中 (kōngzhōng): in the sky
口号 (kǒuhào): slogan
库 (kù): warehouse
快活 (kuàihuo): happy
宽度 (kuāndù): width
狂 (kuáng): mad
亏 (kuī): to lose (money); to have a deficit
困扰 (kùnrǎo): to perplex

L

落 (là): to leave out
来信 (láixìn): incoming letter
烂 (làn): soft; mushy
朗读 (lǎngdú): to read aloud
浪漫 (làngmàn): romantic
劳动 (láodòng): work
梨 (lí): pear
礼 (lǐ): gift
立 (lì): to stand
恋爱 (liàn'ài): (romantic) love
两岸 (liǎng'àn): bilateral
连接 (liánjiē): to link; to join; to connect
联络 (liánluò): to get in touch with
脸盆 (liǎnpén): washbowl
脸色 (liǎnsè): complexion
联想 (liánxiǎng): to associate (cognitively)
礼拜 (lǐbài): to attend a religious service
立场 (lìchǎng): position
厉害 (lìhai): (used to describe sb or sth that makes a very strong impression, whether favorable or unfavorable) terrible; intense; severe; devastating; amazing; awesome; outstanding
礼貌 (lǐmào): courtesy; politeness; manners
铃 (líng): (small) bell
令 (lìng): to order
领带 (lǐngdài): necktie
铃声 (língshēng): ring
邻居 (línjū): neighbor
利润 (lìrùn): profits
流动 (liúdòng): to flow; to circulate; to move about; mobile; (of assets) liquid
流通 (liútōng): to circulate; to distribute
例外 (lìwài): exception
漏 (lòu): to leak
漏洞 (lòudòng): leak
逻辑 (luójí): (loanword) logic
落实 (luòshí): practical

M

骂 (mà): to scold
买卖 (mǎimai): to buy and sell
漫长 (màncháng): very long
漫画 (mànhuà): caricature
冒 (mào): to emit; to give off; to send out (or up, forth)
毛笔 (máobǐ): writing brush
矛盾 (máodùn): contradiction
贸易 (màoyì): (commercial) trade
码头 (mǎtóu): wharf; dock; quay; pier
煤 (méi): coal
煤气 (méiqì): coal gas
门诊 (ménzhěn): outpatient service
面貌 (miànmào): face; features
面子 (miànzi): outer surface; the outside of sth
秒 (miǎo): second (unit of time)
敏感 (mǐngǎn): sensitive
明亮 (míngliàng): bright
命令 (mìnglìng): order
明明 (míngmíng): obviously
迷人 (mírén): fascinating
迷信 (míxìn): superstition
摩擦 (mócā): friction
模范 (mófàn): model
模仿 (mófǎng): to imitate
模糊 (móhu): vague; indistinct; fuzzy
模式 (móshì): mode; pattern; model
摩托 (mótuō): (loanword) motor
目光 (mùguāng): gaze; (fig.) attention
模样 (múyàng): look

N

耐心 (nàixīn): to be patient
南北 (nánběi): north and south
难得 (nándé): seldom
南极 (nánjí): the South Pole
男性 (nánxìng): the male sex
难以 (nányǐ): hard to (predict, imagine etc)
脑子 (nǎozi): brains
内在 (nèizài): inner
能量 (néngliàng): energy
年度 (niándù): year (e.g. school year, fiscal year)
年龄 (niánlíng): (a person's) age
年前 (niánqián): by the end of the year
牛 (niú): ox
牛仔裤 (niúzǎikù): jeans
农产品 (nóngchǎnpǐn): agricultural produce
暖 (nuǎn): warm
女性 (nǚxìng): woman

O

偶尔 (ǒu'ěr): occasionally
偶然 (ǒurán): incidentally
偶像 (ǒuxiàng): idol

P

排除 (páichú): to eliminate
拍摄 (pāishè): to take (a picture); to shoot (a film)
旁 (páng): one side
陪 (péi): to accompany
赔 (péi): to compensate for loss
配备 (pèibèi): to allocate
赔偿 (péicháng): to compensate
配套 (pèitào): to form a complete set
喷 (pēn): to spout; to spurt; to spray; to puff
盆 (pén): basin
披 (pī): to drape over one's shoulders
匹 (pǐ): (bound form) matching; comparable to
骗 (piàn): to cheat
骗子 (piànzi): swindler
皮肤 (pífū): skin
拼 (pīn): to piece together; to put together
品 (pǐn): (bound form) article; commodity; product; goods
频道 (píndào): frequency
频繁 (pínfán): frequently
凭 (píng): to lean against
评估 (pínggū): to evaluate
评论 (pínglùn): to comment on
平坦 (píngtǎn): level
平原 (píngyuán): field
品种 (pǐnzhǒng): breed
脾气 (píqi): character; temperament; disposition
皮鞋 (píxié): leather shoes
泼 (pō): to splash
葡萄 (pútao): grape
葡萄酒 (pútaojiǔ): (grape) wine

Q

其 (qí): his
签 (qiān): to sign one's name
欠 (qiàn): to owe
签订 (qiāndìng): to agree to and sign (a treaty etc)
枪 (qiāng): gun
抢 (qiǎng): to fight over
墙壁 (qiángbì): wall
强度 (qiángdù): strength
抢救 (qiǎngjiù): to rescue
强迫 (qiǎngpò): to compel
前景 (qiánjǐng): foreground
签名 (qiānmíng): to sign (one's name with a pen etc)
前提 (qiántí): premise
签约 (qiānyuē): to sign a contract or agreement
签证 (qiānzhèng): visa
签字 (qiānzì): to sign (one's name)
敲 (qiāo): to hit
瞧 (qiáo): to look at
敲门 (qiāo mén): to knock on a door
悄悄 (qiāoqiāo): quiet; making little or no noise
起到 (qǐdào): (in an expression of the form 起到 + … + 作用) to have (a (motivating etc) effect); to play (a (stabilizing etc) role)
启动 (qǐdòng): to start (a machine)
启发 (qǐfā): to enlighten
起码 (qǐmǎ): at the minimum; at the very least
琴 (qín): guqin 古琴 (a type of zither)
勤奋 (qínfèn): hardworking
青 (qīng): green
清晨 (qīngchén): early morning
情节 (qíngjié): circumstances
晴朗 (qínglǎng): sunny and cloudless
清理 (qīnglǐ): to clear up
情形 (qíngxing): circumstances
齐全 (qíquán): complete
启事 (qǐshì): announcement (written, on billboard, letter, newspaper or website)
气体 (qìtǐ): gas (i.e. gaseous substance)
期望 (qīwàng): to have expectations
气象 (qìxiàng): meteorological condition; weather
泉 (quán): spring (small stream)
劝 (quàn): to advise
全世界 (quán shìjiè): worldwide
全都 (quándōu): all
缺乏 (quēfá): to lack; to be short of
确立 (quèlì): to establish
群体 (qúntǐ): community
群众 (qúnzhòng): mass
区域 (qūyù): area

R

染 (rǎn): to dye
绕 (rào): to wind
热量 (rèliàng): heat
热门 (rèmén): popular; hot; in vogue
忍 (rěn): to bear
认 (rèn): to recognize
忍不住 (rěn bu zhù): cannot help
认定 (rèndìng): to maintain (that sth is true)
扔 (rēng): to throw
仍旧 (réngjiù): still (remaining)
人间 (rénjiān): the human world
人力 (rénlì): manpower
人士 (rénshì): person
忍受 (rěnshòu): to bear; to endure
人物 (rénwù): person; personage; figure (esp. sb of importance)
软 (ruǎn): soft
软件 (ruǎnjiàn): software
如此 (rúcǐ): like this; so; such
入门 (rùmén): entrance door
如同 (rútóng): like
如下 (rúxià): as follows

S

洒 (sǎ): to sprinkle
散 (sǎn): scattered
散文 (sǎnwén): (broadly) prose (as opposed to verse)
杀 (shā): to kill; to slay; to murder; to attack
傻 (shǎ): foolish
杀毒 (shādú): to disinfect
沙漠 (shāmò): desert
扇 (shān): to fan
商标 (shāngbiāo): trademark
上级 (shàngjí): higher authorities
上下 (shàngxià): the top and bottom of sth
上涨 (shàngzhǎng): to rise
山区 (shānqū): mountain area
扇子 (shànzi): fan
稍 (shāo): somewhat
稍微 (shāowēi): a little bit
蛇 (shé): snake
社 (shè): (bound form) society; organization; agency
射 (shè): to shoot
舍不得 (shěbude): to hate to do sth
舍得 (shěde): to be willing to part with sth
射击 (shèjī): to shoot; to fire (a gun)
伸 (shēn): to stretch
神 (shén): god; deity
深处 (shēnchù): abyss
深度 (shēndù): depth
声 (shēng): sound
剩 (shèng): to remain
生成 (shēngchéng): to generate; to produce; to form; to be formed; to come into being
胜负 (shèngfù): victory or defeat
升高 (shēnggāo): to raise
剩下 (shèngxia): to remain; to be left over
神经 (shénjīng): nerve
神奇 (shénqí): magical
神情 (shénqíng): look; expression
社区 (shèqū): community
设想 (shèxiǎng): to imagine
摄像 (shèxiàng): to videotape
摄像机 (shèxiàngjī): video camera
摄影 (shèyǐng): to take a photograph
摄影师 (shèyǐngshī): photographer; cinematographer; cameraman
拾 (shí): to pick up
式 (shì): type
时常 (shícháng): often; frequently
使得 (shǐde): usable; serviceable
示范 (shìfàn): to demonstrate
师傅 (shīfu): master
诗歌 (shīgē): poem
时光 (shíguāng): time
实惠 (shíhuì): tangible benefit
时机 (shíjī): opportunity; opportune moment
势力 (shìlì): power
视频 (shìpín): video
时事 (shíshì): current trends; the present situation; how things are going
试图 (shìtú): to attempt
视为 (shìwéi): to view as
失误 (shīwù): lapse
十足 (shízú): ample
瘦 (shòu): thin
手段 (shǒuduàn): method; way; means (of doing sth)
手法 (shǒufǎ): technique
收购 (shōugòu): to purchase or acquire in bulk or at an official level (esp. by a state or organization)
收集 (shōují): to gather
收拾 (shōushi): to put in order
寿司 (shòusī): sushi
受灾 (shòuzāi): disaster-stricken
鼠 (shǔ): (bound form) rat; mouse
摔 (shuāi): to throw down
摔倒 (shuāidǎo): to fall down
率领 (shuàilǐng): to lead
双手 (shuāng shǒu): both hands
鼠标 (shǔbiāo): (computing) mouse
蔬菜 (shūcài): vegetables
输出 (shūchū): to output; to deliver (energy, data, signals etc)
书法 (shūfǎ): calligraphy
书柜 (shūguì): bookcase
水产品 (shuǐchǎnpǐn): aquatic products (including fish, crabs, seaweed etc)
水分 (shuǐfèn): moisture content
水库 (shuǐkù): reservoir
睡眠 (shuìmián): sleep
水灾 (shuǐzāi): flood
数目 (shùmù): amount
说法 (shuōfǎ): to expound Buddhist teachings
硕士 (shuòshì): master's degree
熟悉 (shúxi): to be familiar with; to know well
书桌 (shūzhuō): desk
私人 (sīrén): private
思维 (sīwéi): (line of) thought; thinking
四周 (sìzhōu): all around
搜 (sōu): to search
搜索 (sōusuǒ): to search (a place, a database, online etc); to search for (sth)
酸甜苦辣 (suān-tián-kǔ-là): lit. sour, sweet, bitter and spicy (idiom)
碎 (suì): (transitive or intransitive) to break into pieces; to shatter; to crumble
随后 (suíhòu): afterward; later; subsequently; following that
随意 (suíyì): as one wishes
岁月 (suìyuè): years
随着 (suízhe): along with
损害 (sǔnhài): harm
损失 (sǔnshī): loss
锁 (suǒ): to lock; to lock up
所在 (suǒzài): place
宿舍 (sùshè): dormitory

T

抬 (tái): to lift
台风 (táifēng): stage presence, poise
太空 (tàikōng): outer space
抬头 (táitóu): to raise one's head; to look up
弹 (tán): to pluck (a string)
逃 (táo): to escape
桃 (táo): peach
桃花 (táohuā): peach blossom
逃跑 (táopǎo): to flee from sth
桃树 (táoshù): peach tree
讨厌 (tǎoyàn): to dislike
逃走 (táozǒu): to escape
特定 (tèdìng): special; specific; designated; particular
特性 (tèxìng): property
特有 (tèyǒu): specific (to)
天才 (tiāncái): talent
天然气 (tiānránqì): natural gas
天文 (tiānwén): astronomy
调节 (tiáojié): to adjust
调解 (tiáojiě): to mediate
题材 (tícái): subject matter
提倡 (tíchàng): to promote
体积 (tǐjī): volume (amount of space an object occupies)
体力 (tǐlì): physical strength
厅 (tīng): (reception) hall
停留 (tíngliú): to stay somewhere temporarily
提起 (tíqǐ): to mention; to bring up
提示 (tíshì): to point out
通用 (tōngyòng): to use anywhere, anytime (card, ticket etc)
偷 (tōu): to steal
偷偷 (tōutōu): stealthily
吐 (tǔ): to spit
兔 (tù): rabbit
团长 (tuánzhǎng): regimental command
土豆 (tǔdòu): potato
推行 (tuīxíng): to implement; to carry out; to introduce (a policy, system, reform etc)
脱离 (tuōlí): to separate oneself from
突破 (tūpò): to break through

W

外界 (wàijiè): the outside world
完了 (wánle): to be finished
胃 (wèi): stomach
微博 (wēibó): microblogging
违法 (wéifǎ): illegal
违反 (wéifǎn): to violate (a law)
违规 (wéiguī): to violate the rules
为难 (wéinán): to feel embarrassed or awkward
为期 (wéiqī): (to be done) by (a certain date)
围绕 (wéirào): to revolve around
委托 (wěituō): to entrust
慰问 (wèiwèn): to express sympathy, greetings, consolation etc
卫星 (wèixīng): (aerospace) satellite
唯一 (wéiyī): only; sole
为止 (wéizhǐ): until
为主 (wéizhǔ): to rely mainly on
温和 (wēnhé): mild
文艺 (wényì): literature and art
握 (wò): to hold; to grasp
卧室 (wòshì): bedroom
屋 (wū): (bound form) house
舞 (wǔ): to dance
物价 (wùjià): (commodity) prices
误解 (wùjiě): to misunderstand
无奈 (wúnài): to have no alternative
污染 (wūrǎn): (lit. and fig.) to pollute; to contaminate
污水 (wūshuǐ): sewage
物业 (wùyè): property
无疑 (wúyí): undoubtedly; without doubt; for sure
物质 (wùzhì): matter

X

戏 (xì): trick
吓 (xià): to frighten
闲 (xián): enclosure
显 (xiǎn): to make visible
献 (xiàn): to offer
乡 (xiāng): country or countryside
向前 (xiàng qián): forward
香肠 (xiāngcháng): sausage
乡村 (xiāngcūn): rustic
向导 (xiàngdǎo): guide
相等 (xiāngděng): equal
向上 (xiàngshàng): upward
相声 (xiàngsheng): comic dialogue
享受 (xiǎngshòu): to enjoy
详细 (xiángxì): detailed
相应 (xiāngyìng): to correspond
象征 (xiàngzhēng): symbol; emblem
先后 (xiānhòu): early or late; first and last; priority
先前 (xiānqián): before; previously
线索 (xiànsuǒ): trail
鲜艳 (xiānyàn): bright-colored; gaily-colored
现有 (xiànyǒu): currently existing
现状 (xiànzhuàng): current situation
消除 (xiāochú): to eliminate
消毒 (xiāodú): to disinfect; to sterilize
消防 (xiāofáng): firefighting
消费者 (xiāofèizhě): consumer
消极 (xiāojí): negative
小偷儿 (xiǎotōur): erhua form of 小偷
歇 (xiē): to rest
斜 (xié): inclined
协议 (xiéyì): agreement
协议书 (xiéyìshū): contract
西红柿 (xīhóngshì): tomato
喜剧 (xǐjù): a comedy
戏剧 (xìjù): a drama; a play; theater
性能 (xìngnéng): function; performance; behavior
行驶 (xíngshǐ): to travel along a route (of vehicles etc)
形态 (xíngtài): shape
辛苦 (xīnkǔ): exhausting
信念 (xìnniàn): faith
欣赏 (xīnshǎng): to appreciate; to enjoy; to admire
心态 (xīntài): attitude (of the heart)
心疼 (xīnténg): to love dearly
信箱 (xìnxiāng): mailbox
熊 (xióng): bear
雄伟 (xióngwěi): grand
修复 (xiūfù): to restore; to renovate
修建 (xiūjiàn): to build
休闲 (xiūxián): leisure
修养 (xiūyǎng): accomplishment
西装 (xīzhuāng): suit
选修 (xuǎnxiū): (at a school) to take as an elective
学科 (xuékē): subject
学位 (xuéwèi): academic degree
学者 (xuézhě): scholar
许可 (xǔkě): to allow
寻求 (xúnqiú): to seek; to look for
询问 (xúnwèn): to inquire
虚心 (xūxīn): open-minded

Y

押金 (yājīn): deposit
亚军 (yàjūn): second place (in a sports contest)
眼光 (yǎnguāng): gaze
研究所 (yánjiūsuǒ): research institute
严厉 (yánlì): severe
延伸 (yánshēn): to extend; to stretch; to expand; to spread
严肃 (yánsù): (of an atmosphere etc) solemn; grave; serious
言语 (yányǔ): words
咬 (yǎo): to bite
邀请 (yāoqǐng): to invite
摇头 (yáotóu): to shake one's head
鸭子 (yāzi): duck (CL:隻|只)
也好 (yěhǎo): that's fine
夜间 (yèjiān): nighttime
业务 (yèwù): business
乙 (yǐ): second of the ten Heavenly Stems 十天干
一句话 (yī jù huà): in a word; in short
一辈子 (yībèizi): (for) a lifetime
以便 (yǐbiàn): so that
一带 (yīdài): region; area
一旦 (yīdàn): in case (sth happens)
依法 (yīfǎ): legal (proceedings)
依旧 (yījiù): as before; still
依据 (yījù): according to
一口气 (yīkǒuqì): one breath
一流 (yīliú): top quality
一路 (yīlù): the whole journey
因而 (yīn'ér): therefore
应 (yìng): to agree (to do sth)
硬 (yìng): hard; stiff; solid
硬件 (yìngjiàn): hardware
饮料 (yǐnliào): drink
饮食 (yǐnshí): eating and drinking
印刷 (yìnshuā): to print
一身 (yīshēn): whole body
意识 (yìshí): consciousness; awareness
以往 (yǐwǎng): in the past; formerly
意味着 (yìwèizhe): to signify
一向 (yīxiàng): a period of time in the recent past
一下儿 (yīxiàr): erhua form of 一下
一下子 (yīxiàzi): in a short while
依照 (yīzhào): according to; in light of
意志 (yìzhì): will; willpower; determination
拥抱 (yōngbào): to embrace
用不着 (yòngbuzháo): not need
用户 (yònghù): user
用来 (yònglái): to be used for
拥有 (yōngyǒu): to have; to possess
用于 (yòngyú): to use in; to use on; to use for
由此 (yóu cǐ): hereby
有毒 (yǒu dú): poisonous
有害 (yǒu hài): destructive
优惠 (yōuhuì): privilege
有力 (yǒulì): powerful
有利于 (yǒulì yú): to be advantageous to; to be beneficial for
幽默 (yōumò): (loanword) humor
尤其 (yóuqí): especially; particularly
优先 (yōuxiān): to have priority; to take precedence
友谊 (yǒuyì): companionship
游泳池 (yóuyǒngchí): swimming pool
犹豫 (yóuyù): to hesitate
有着 (yǒuzhe): to have
怨 (yuàn): to blame
愿 (yuàn): honest and prudent
远处 (yuǎnchù): distant place
元旦 (Yuándàn): New Year's Day
原理 (yuánlǐ): principle
园林 (yuánlín): gardens; park; landscape garden
原始 (yuánshǐ): first
原先 (yuánxiān): originally
原有 (yuányǒu): original
预备 (yùbèi): to prepare
月饼 (yuèbing): mooncake (esp. for the Mid-Autumn Festival)
阅览室 (yuèlǎnshì): reading room
月球 (yuèqiú): the moon
约束 (yuēshù): to restrict
羽毛球 (yǔmáoqiú): badminton
运 (yùn): to move
运行 (yùnxíng): (of celestial bodies etc) to move along one's course
预期 (yùqī): to expect
羽绒服 (yǔróngfú): down-filled garment
雨水 (yǔshuǐ): rainwater; rainfall; rain

Z

灾 (zāi): disaster; calamity
再也 (zài yě): (not) ever again; (not) any longer
在场 (zàichǎng): to be present; to be on the scene
再次 (zàicì): once more; once again
灾害 (zāihài): calamity
灾难 (zāinàn): disaster; catastrophe
在内 (zàinèi): (included) in it
灾区 (zāiqū): disaster area; stricken region
暂时 (zànshí): temporary; provisional; for the time being
暂停 (zàntíng): to suspend
糟 (zāo): dregs
糟糕 (zāogāo): too bad
早期 (zǎoqī): early period; early phase; early stage
增 (zēng): (bound form) to increase; to augment; to add to
赠 (zèng): to give as a present
增产 (zēngchǎn): to increase production
增大 (zēngdà): to enlarge
增多 (zēngduō): to increase
增强 (zēngqiáng): to increase
赠送 (zèngsòng): to present as a gift
摘 (zhāi): to take; to pick (flowers, fruit etc); to pluck; to remove; to take off (glasses, hat etc)
涨 (zhǎng): to rise (of prices, rivers)
涨价 (zhǎngjià): to appreciate (in value)
掌握 (zhǎngwò): to grasp (often fig.)
展览 (zhǎnlǎn): to put on display
占领 (zhànlǐng): to capture; to seize; to occupy by force
展示 (zhǎnshì): to reveal; to display; to show; to exhibit
展现 (zhǎnxiàn): to unfold before one's eyes; to emerge; to reveal; to display
占有 (zhànyǒu): to have
招生 (zhāoshēng): to enroll new students
招手 (zhāoshǒu): to wave
真诚 (zhēnchéng): sincere; genuine; true
振动 (zhèndòng): to vibrate
诊断 (zhěnduàn): to diagnose
挣 (zhèng): to struggle to get free
正版 (zhèngbǎn): genuine
正规 (zhèngguī): regular
挣钱 (zhèngqián): to make money
正如 (zhèngrú): just as
证实 (zhèngshí): to confirm (sth to be true)
证书 (zhèngshū): credentials
珍贵 (zhēnguì): precious
争议 (zhēngyì): controversy
正义 (zhèngyì): justice
震惊 (zhènjīng): to shock
真理 (zhēnlǐ): truth
珍惜 (zhēnxī): to treasure
真相 (zhēnxiàng): the truth about sth; the actual facts
珍珠 (zhēnzhū): pearl (CL:顆|颗,粒)
至 (zhì): to arrive
只见 (zhǐ jiàn): to see (the same thing) over and over again
治安 (zhì'ān): law and order
值班 (zhíbān): to work a shift
指标 (zhǐbiāo): (production) target; quota
只不过 (zhǐbùguò): only; merely; nothing but; no more than
制成 (zhìchéng): to manufacture
支出 (zhīchū): to spend; to pay out
指甲 (zhǐjia): fingernail
治理 (zhìlǐ): to govern
之内 (zhīnèi): inside; within
职能 (zhínéng): function
支配 (zhīpèi): to control
指示 (zhǐshì): to point out
之外 (zhīwài): outside
职位 (zhíwèi): position; post; job
职务 (zhíwù): post
之下 (zhīxià): under
直线 (zhíxiàn): straight line
执行 (zhíxíng): to implement
制约 (zhìyuē): to restrict
指责 (zhǐzé): to criticize
之中 (zhīzhōng): inside
终点 (zhōngdiǎn): the end
中毒 (zhòngdú): to be poisoned
中断 (zhōngduàn): to cut short
众多 (zhòngduō): numerous
中秋节 (Zhōngqiū Jié): the Mid-Autumn Festival on 15th of 8th lunar month
终身 (zhōngshēn): lifelong
中央 (zhōngyāng): central
中药 (zhōngyào): traditional Chinese medicine
终止 (zhōngzhǐ): to stop; to terminate
周期 (zhōuqī): period
撞 (zhuàng): to knock against
装饰 (zhuāngshì): to decorate
转化 (zhuǎnhuà): to change; to turn; to convert
转换 (zhuǎnhuàn): to change
专辑 (zhuānjí): album
专利 (zhuānlì): patent
转让 (zhuǎnràng): to transfer (ownership, rights etc)
转向 (zhuǎnxiàng): to change direction
主办 (zhǔbàn): to organize
注册 (zhùcè): to register
主导 (zhǔdǎo): leading
主观 (zhǔguān): subjective
主管 (zhǔguǎn): in charge
祝贺 (zhùhè): to congratulate
助理 (zhùlǐ): assistant
注射 (zhùshè): injection
注视 (zhùshì): to look attentively at; to closely watch; to gaze at
助手 (zhùshǒu): assistant; helper
主体 (zhǔtǐ): main part
注重 (zhùzhòng): to pay attention to
竹子 (zhúzi): bamboo
紫 (zǐ): purple
资本 (zīběn): capital (economics)
资产 (zīchǎn): property
子弹 (zǐdàn): bullet
自豪 (zìháo): proud (of one's achievements etc)
自杀 (zìshā): to kill oneself
仔细 (zǐxì): careful; attentive; cautious
自愿 (zìyuàn): voluntary
资助 (zīzhù): to subsidize
总裁 (zǒngcái): chairman
总数 (zǒngshù): total
总算 (zǒngsuàn): at long last
总体 (zǒngtǐ): completely
阻碍 (zǔ'ài): to obstruct
醉 (zuì): intoxicated
尊敬 (zūnjìng): to respect; to revere; to esteem
遵守 (zūnshǒu): to comply with; to abide by; to respect (an agreement)
尊重 (zūnzhòng): to esteem
组织 (zǔzhī): to organize

Frequently asked questions

How many words do I need for HSK 5?

1,071 new words at level 5, 4,316 cumulative under HSK 3.0. The older HSK 2.0 standard listed 2,500 cumulative words for its level 5.

What can I read at HSK 5?

Newspapers with occasional lookups, most web content, and novels written for native readers if they're contemporary and not too literary. Graded material at HSK 5-6 remains faster and more pleasant for volume reading.

Is HSK 5 fluent?

It's conversationally solid but not fluent. Most learners at HSK 5 handle daily life and substantive conversations well, while fast group conversations and formal writing still take effort. CEFR-wise it's roughly B2.

Reading your way to HSK 5? Create a free Chenjin account: graded stories with audio, tap-to-lookup with sentence mining, dictation practice, and the HSK 5 grid tracking every word.

HSK 5 Vocabulary: The Full 1,071-Word List (with Pinyin)

The HSK 5 words that matter most

Learning abstract vocabulary that sticks

The full HSK 5 word list

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

W

X

Y

Z

Frequently asked questions

How many words do I need for HSK 5?

What can I read at HSK 5?

Is HSK 5 fluent?

Keep learning

Read next

HSK 7-9 Vocabulary: How the 5,636-Word Advanced Band Works

HSK 6 Vocabulary: The Full 1,140-Word List (with Pinyin)

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