HSK 4 Vocabulary List — the 600 new words
HSK 4 doubles your vocabulary from 600 to 1200. These are the 600 words it adds, in frequency order, each with audio and, where a character has more than one reading, a note on which one is being tested.
Download the HSK 4 list as a PDF
The same 600 words in the same frequency order, with pinyin, traditional forms and the native notes on multi-reading characters. 23 pages, no sign-up, free to share.
Download PDF2.2 MBAudio stays on this page — a PDF can't play sound, so keep this tab for pronunciation.
HSK 4 is the level most people describe as the wall. It is not that the words are harder individually — it is that 600 new words arrive at once, and many of them are abstract nouns and two-character compounds whose meaning you cannot guess from the parts.
Twenty characters at this level have multiple readings, and several are traps hiding in words you already know. 行 is xíng on its own but háng inside 银行 yínháng, the word for bank. 空 is kōng for empty and kòng for free time, so 有空 is yǒukòng. 得 has three readings and all three are common. These are flagged below.
Which HSK is this? 2.0 vs 3.0
The list on this page is the 2012 standard, usually called HSK 2.0: six levels, with 150 / 300 / 600 / 1200 / 2500 / 5000 words cumulatively. This is what the great majority of textbooks, apps and prep material still use.
A newer standard published in 2021 — HSK 3.0, formally the Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education — restructures the system into three stages and nine levels, and raises the counts sharply: its Level 1 alone is 500 words, and the full nine levels span roughly 11,000.
The two are not interchangeable, so check which one your test provider or textbook specifies before you plan your study. If nothing says otherwise, it is almost certainly the 2012 list below.
Words 1–50
- 1得dé, děi, demultiple readings
obtain | must | (complement particle)
Native note — Three readings, all common, and the neutral one matters most. de = the complement marker: 说得很好 speak very well. děi = must, have to: 我得走了 I have to go. dé = to obtain: 得到. If it sits between a verb and a description, it is de.
- 2死sǐ
to die; dead; fixed
- 3干gàn, gānmultiple readings
to work; do; manage | to concern; shield; dry
Native note — gàn = to do, to work (干什么 what are you doing). gān = dry (干净 gānjìng clean, 干杯 cheers). Traditional splits them: 幹 vs 乾. 干净 is an HSK 3 word, so you have already met the gān reading.
- 4而ér
and; but; yet
- 5等děng
to wait; rank; equal
- 6当dāng, dàngtrad. 當multiple readings
should; act as; work as | appropriate; assume; pawn
Native note — dāng = to serve as, or when (当老师, 当时 at that time). dàng = to treat as, or appropriate (上当 be taken in, 适当). The when and the job are both 1st tone.
- 7所有suǒyǒu
all; to have; to possess
- 8也许yěxǔtrad. 也許
perhaps; probably; maybe
- 9行xíng, hángmultiple readings
walk; be current; do | row; place; a firm (Kangxi radical 144)
Native note — xíng = OK, will do, or to walk (不行 no good, 行李). háng = a row, or a line of business — which is why 银行 is yínháng, not yínxíng. That bank word trips up almost everyone.
- 10不过búguòtrad. 不過
only; merely; but
- 11发生fāshēngtrad. 發生
happen; occur; take place
- 12一切yíqiè
all; every; everything
- 13抱bào
to hold; to hug; carry in one's arms
- 14抱歉bàoqiàn
be sorry; feel apologetic; to regret
- 15感觉gǎnjuétrad. 感覺
to feel; become aware of; feeling
- 16肯定kěndìng
sure; definite; affirm
- 17棒bàng
stick; club; good
- 18以yǐ
to use; according to; so as to
- 19以为yǐwéitrad. 以為
think (mistakenly); consider (that); believe
- 20掉diào
to drop; to fall
- 21生活shēnghuó
life; livelihood; to live
- 22之zhī
(literary equivalent to 的); (pronoun); of
- 23任何rènhé
any; whatever; whichever
- 24与yǔ, yù, yútrad. 與multiple readings
(formal) and; to give; together with
Native note — yǔ = and, with — the formal written equivalent of 跟 or 和. You will read it far more often than you say it.
- 25弄nòng, lòngmultiple readings
do; manage; to handle | lane; alley
Native note — nòng = to do, to make, to fiddle with — a catch-all verb for handling something (弄坏 break, 弄错 get wrong). lòng = a lane, mostly in Shanghai place names (弄堂).
- 26却quètrad. 卻
but; yet; however
- 27继续jìxùtrad. 繼續
to continue; to go on; to proceed
- 28够gòutrad. 夠
enough; to reach
- 29父亲fùqintrad. 父親
father
- 30完全wánquán
complete; whole; totally
- 31可是kěshì
but; however
- 32谈tántrad. 談
to talk; to chat; discuss
- 33好像hǎoxiàng
as if; seem to be
- 34警察jǐngchá
police
- 35场chǎng, chángtrad. 場multiple readings
courtyard; place; field | threshing floor
Native note — chǎng = a place or venue, and the measure word for performances and matches (一场比赛, 机场). cháng survives mainly in rural words like 场院. Use chǎng.
- 36刚gāngtrad. 剛
just (indicating the immediate past); recently; firm
- 37呀ya, yāmultiple readings
ah; oh; (used for 啊 after words ending with a, e, i, o, or ü)
Native note — ya — a softened form of 啊 that appears after a vowel ending: 好呀, 是呀. It makes a sentence friendlier, never adds meaning.
- 38情况qíngkuàngtrad. 情況
circumstance; state of affairs; situation
- 39只要zhǐyàotrad. 隻要
so long as; if only; provided that
- 40份fèn
part; portion; (mw for documents, papers, jobs, etc.)
- 41底dǐ
bottom; background; base
- 42到底dào dǐ
after all; in the end (used in a question)
- 43成为chéngwéitrad. 成為
become; turn into
- 44永远yǒngyuǎntrad. 永遠
forever; eternal; always
- 45安全ānquán
safe; safety; secure
- 46留liú
to leave (behind, a message); to retain; to stay
- 47计划jìhuàtrad. 計劃
plan; project
- 48俩liǎ, liǎngtrad. 倆multiple readings
(colloquial) two (people)
Native note — liǎ = two people, colloquially. It already contains the measure word, so never say 俩个 — 我们俩 is complete on its own.
- 49停tíng
to stop; to halt; to park (a car)
- 50感谢gǎnxiètrad. 感謝
thank; be grateful
Words 51–100
- 51敢gǎn
to dare
- 52从来cóngláitrad. 從來
have always (from the beginning); never (with negative)
- 53赢yíngtrad. 贏
to win; to beat; to profit
- 54消息xiāoxi
news; information
- 55拉lā, lámultiple readings
to pull; to play (string instruments); to drag | to slash; to chat
Native note — lā = to pull, and also to play a bowed instrument (拉小提琴). It is the opposite of 推 tuī push — the pair you see on every door in China.
- 56原因yuányīn
cause; reason
- 57连liántrad. 連
even; including; join
- 58确实quèshítrad. 確實
indeed; in truth; reliable
- 59挺tǐng
straighten up; stick out; rather (good)
- 60保证bǎozhèngtrad. 保証
to guarantee; ensure
- 61接受jiēshòu
accept; receive (honors, etc.)
- 62改变gǎibiàntrad. 改變
to change; alter; to transform
- 63麻烦máfantrad. 麻煩
trouble (someone); troubling; bothersome
- 64出现chūxiàntrad. 出現
appear; arise; emerge
- 65不管bùguǎn
no matter (what, how, etc.); regardless of
- 66甚至shènzhì
even (to the point of); so much so that
- 67保护bǎohùtrad. 保護
to protect; to defend
- 68真正zhēnzhèng
genuine; real; true
- 69结果jiéguǒtrad. 結果
result; outcome; finally
- 70当时dāngshítrad. 當時
then; at that time; while
- 71至少zhìshǎo
at least; (to say the) least
- 72律师lǜshītrad. 律師
lawyer
- 73表演biǎoyǎn
perform; to play
- 74无wútrad. 無
have not; without; not (Kangxi radical 71)
- 75猜cāi
to guess
- 76咱们zánmentrad. 咱們
we (including the listener); us; our
- 77进行jìnxíngtrad. 進行
carry on; carry out; undertake
- 78内nèitrad. 內
inside; inner; internal
- 79是否shìfǒu
whether (or not); if
- 80调查diàochátrad. 調查
investigate; survey; inquiry
- 81成功chénggōng
success; to succeed
- 82考虑kǎolǜtrad. 考慮
think over; consider
- 83约会yuēhuìtrad. 約會
appointment; engagement; date
- 84通过tōngguòtrad. 通過
by means of; through (a method); pass through
- 85开心kāixīntrad. 開心
feel happy; have a great time; make fun of somebody
- 86母亲mǔqintrad. 母親
mother
- 87主意zhǔyi
plan; idea; decision
- 88倒dǎo, dàomultiple readings
to collapse; to fall; fail | to pour; contrary to expectations
Native note — dǎo = to fall over, to collapse (摔倒). dào = to pour, or to reverse (倒水 pour water, 倒车 back up a car). Falling is 3rd tone, pouring is 4th.
- 89解释jiěshìtrad. 解釋
to explain
- 90联系liánxìtrad. 聯系
integrate; link; connection
- 91证明zhèngmíngtrad. 証明
proof; testify; confirm
- 92生命shēngmìng
life
- 93难道nándàotrad. 難道
could it be that ...?; don't tell me ...
- 94由yóu
follow; from; by
- 95指zhǐ
finger; to point (at, to, out); refer to
- 96危险wēixiǎntrad. 危險
danger; dangerous; perilous
- 97讨厌tǎoyàntrad. 討厭
to hate; loathe; disgusting
- 98醒xǐng
wake up
- 99样子yàngzitrad. 樣子
manner; air; appearance
- 100有趣yǒuqù
interesting; fascinating; amusing
Words 101–150
- 101提tí
to carry; to lift; to raise (an issue)
- 102部分bùfen
part; share; section
- 103理解lǐjiě
comprehend; understand
- 104重zhòng, chóngmultiple readings
heavy; serious; important | repeat; again; overlap
Native note — zhòng = heavy, important (重要, 体重). chóng = again, to repeat — 重新 chóngxīn is itself an HSK 4 word, so both readings are tested at this level.
- 105任务rènwutrad. 任務
a mission; an assignment; a task
- 106使shǐ
to use; to make; to cause
- 107转zhuǎn, zhuàntrad. 轉multiple readings
to turn; to change; pass on | revolve; rotate
Native note — zhuǎn = to turn, to change direction or state (转变, 转告). zhuàn = to revolve, to spin (转圈). Changing is 3rd tone, spinning is 4th.
- 108博士bóshì
doctor; PhD
- 109紧张jǐnzhāngtrad. 緊張
nervous; tension; strain
- 110放弃fàngqìtrad. 放棄
abandon; renounce; give up
- 111大概dàgài
probably; roughly; approximate
- 112重新chóngxīn
again; anew; once more
- 113其中qízhōng
among; in; included among these
- 114来自láizìtrad. 來自
come from (a place)
- 115本来běnláitrad. 本來
originally; at first
- 116并且bìngqiětrad. 並且
and; besides; moreover
- 117直接zhíjiē
direct; immediate
- 118对于duìyútrad. 對於
regarding; as far as sth. is concerned; with regards to
- 119正常zhèngcháng
normal; regular; ordinary
- 120遍biàn
a time; everywhere; turn
- 121冷静lěngjìngtrad. 冷靜
calm; cool-headed; sober
- 122方法fāngfǎ
method; way; means
- 123扔rēng
to throw; throw away
- 124能力nénglì
capability; capable; ability
- 125另外lìngwài
another; in addition; besides
- 126放松fàngsōngtrad. 放鬆
relax; loosen; slacken
- 127丢diūtrad. 丟
lose (something); throw; put aside
- 128负责fùzétrad. 負責
responsible for (something); in charge of
- 129梦mèngtrad. 夢
to dream
- 130戴dài
put on; to wear; to respect
- 131错误cuòwùtrad. 錯誤
error; mistake; mistaken
- 132随便suíbiàntrad. 隨便
as one pleases; informal; random
- 133经历jīnglìtrad. 經歷
undergo; to experience
- 134支持zhīchí
sustain; hold out | support; stand by (e.g. international support)
- 135建议jiànyìtrad. 建議
to propose; to suggest; recommend
- 136否则fǒuzétrad. 否則
if not; otherwise; or else
- 137光guāng
light; ray; bright
- 138安排ānpái
arrange; to plan
- 139钥匙yàoshitrad. 鑰匙
key
- 140信息xìnxī
information; news; message
- 141全部quánbù
whole; entire; complete
- 142首先shǒuxiān
first (of all); in the first place; firstly
- 143照zhào
to shine; illuminate; according to
- 144交jiāo
deliver; turn over; intersect
- 145台tái
platform; Taiwan (abbr.); desk
- 146坚持jiānchítrad. 堅持
persist in; persevere
- 147生意shēngyi
business; trade
- 148火huǒ
fire (Kangxi radical 86)
- 149即使jíshǐ
even if; even though
- 150到处dàochùtrad. 到處
everywhere; in all places; all over
Words 151–200
- 151挂guà
hang; put up; suspend
- 152道歉dàoqiàn
apologize; make an apology
- 153可怜kěliántrad. 可憐
pitiful; poor; pathetic
- 154实在shízàitrad. 實在
honest; in reality; honestly
- 155骗piàntrad. 騙
to cheat; to swindle; deceive
- 156原谅yuánliàngtrad. 原諒
to excuse; forgive; to pardon
- 157乱luàntrad. 亂
disorder; confusion; arbitrarily
- 158差不多chàbuduō
almost; about the same
- 159满mǎntrad. 滿
full; abbreviation for Manchurian
- 160假jiǎ, jiàmultiple readings
fake; if; borrow | vacation; holiday
Native note — jiǎ = fake (假的). jià = leave, holiday — 放假 fàngjià and 请假 qǐngjià are both HSK 4 words. Fake is 3rd tone, vacation is 4th.
- 161研究yánjiū
to study; to research
- 162打扰dǎrǎotrad. 打擾
disturb
- 163正确zhèngquètrad. 正確
correct; proper
- 164收shōu
receive; accept; collect
- 165秒miǎo
second (unit of time or angle)
- 166同时tóngshítrad. 同時
at the same time; simultaneously
- 167提供tígōng
to supply; provide; furnish
- 168输shūtrad. 輸
to transport; to lose (a game, etc.)
- 169号码hàomǎtrad. 號碼
number
- 170座zuò
(mw for mountains, bridges, tall buildings, etc.) | seat; base; stand
- 171比如bǐrú
for example; for instance; such as
- 172严重yánzhòngtrad. 嚴重
grave; serious; critical
- 173脱tuōtrad. 脫
to shed; take off; to escape
- 174陪péi
accompany; keep company
- 175法律fǎlǜ
law; statute
- 176值得zhíde
be worth; deserve
- 177使用shǐyòng
to use; employ; apply
- 178方面fāngmiàn
aspect; field; side
- 179原来yuánláitrad. 原來
original; former; as it turns out
- 180讨论tǎolùntrad. 討論
to discuss; discussion; to talk over
- 181说明shuōmíngtrad. 說明
explain; explanation; illustrate
- 182仍然réngrán
still; yet
- 183动作dòngzuòtrad. 動作
movement; motion; action
- 184受到shòudào
receive (influence, restriction, etc.); be subjected to
- 185赶gǎntrad. 趕
catch up; overtake; drive away
- 186怀疑huáiyítrad. 懷疑
doubt; to suspect; be skeptical
- 187拒绝jùjuétrad. 拒絕
to refuse; to decline; to reject
- 188演员yǎnyuántrad. 演員
actor or actress; performer
- 189破pò
broken; damaged; to split
- 190因此yīncǐ
therefore; thus; that is why
- 191答案dá'àn
answer; solution
- 192活动huódòngtrad. 活動
activity; exercise; move about
- 193既然jìrán
since; given that; now that
- 194通知tōngzhī
notify; to inform; notice
- 195不得不bù dé bù
have to; have no choice but to; cannot but
- 196无论wúlùntrad. 無論
no matter what; regardless of whether...
- 197刀dāo
knife; blade (Kangxi radical 18)
- 198适合shìhétrad. 適合
to suit; to fit
- 199失望shīwàng
disappointed; lose hope
- 200允许yǔnxǔtrad. 允許
to permit; allow
Words 201–250
- 201意见yìjiàntrad. 意見
opinion; view; suggestion
- 202获得huòdétrad. 獲得
obtain; acquire; to gain
- 203要是yàoshi
if; suppose; in case
- 204邀请yāoqǐngtrad. 邀請
to invite
- 205尽管jǐnguǎntrad. 盡管
despite; although; even though | freely; without hesitation
- 206浪费làngfèitrad. 浪費
to waste; squander
- 207失败shībàitrad. 失敗
be defeated; fail; lose
- 208责任zérèntrad. 責任
responsibility; blame; duty
- 209美丽měilìtrad. 美麗
beautiful
- 210压力yālìtrad. 壓力
pressure; stress
- 211味道wèidao
flavor; taste
- 212厉害lìhaitrad. 厲害
terrible; formidable; fierce
- 213出发chūfātrad. 出發
start out; set off
- 214兴奋xīngfèntrad. 興奮
excitement; be excited
- 215观众guānzhòngtrad. 觀眾
spectator; audience
- 216反对fǎnduìtrad. 反對
oppose; fight against
- 217精彩jīngcǎi
brilliant; spectacular; wonderful
- 218感情gǎnqíng
feeling; emotion; sensation
- 219演出yǎnchū
to act (in a play); to perform; to put on a show
- 220愉快yúkuài
happy; cheerful; delightful
- 221开玩笑kāi wánxiàotrad. 開玩笑
joke; play a joke; make fun of
- 222杂志zázhìtrad. 雜志
magazine
- 223合适héshìtrad. 合適
suitable; proper; appropriate
- 224广告guǎnggàotrad. 廣告
advertisement; a commercial
- 225自然zìrán
nature; natural
- 226深shēn
deep; profound; dark (of colors)
- 227取qǔ
to take; get; choose
- 228短信duǎnxìn
text message; SMS
- 229地球dìqiú
the Earth; planet
- 230帅shuàitrad. 帥
handsome; graceful; commander-in-chief
- 231推tuī
to push; to scrape; to decline
- 232关键guānjiàntrad. 關鍵
crucial; key; pivotal
- 233空kōng, kòngmultiple readings
empty; sky | leave blank; leisure
Native note — kōng = empty, or the sky (空气 air, 天空). kòng = free time or a blank — 有空 yǒukòng (be free) is the one you will say constantly. Empty is 1st tone, spare time is 4th.
- 234究竟jiūjìng
after all; when all is said and done; actually
- 235恐怕kǒngpà
be afraid; to fear; I'm afraid that...
- 236躺tǎng
recline; lie down (on back or side)
- 237聚会jùhuìtrad. 聚會
hold a meeting; get together; a party
- 238方向fāngxiàng
direction; orientation
- 239幸福xìngfú
happy; blessed; fortunate
- 240接着jiēzhetrad. 接著
continue; carry on; to catch
- 241技术jìshùtrad. 技術
technology; technique; skill
- 242困kùn
sleepy; surround; hard-pressed
- 243困难kùnnantrad. 困難
difficulty; difficult; problem
- 244正好zhènghǎo
just (in time); just right; just enough
- 245提醒tíxǐng
remind; call attention to; warn of
- 246旅行lǚxíng
travel
- 247激动jīdòngtrad. 激動
excite; agitate
- 248骄傲jiāo'àotrad. 驕傲
proud; arrogant; conceited
- 249毛máo
hair; fur; feather
- 250节jiétrad. 節
section; part; festival
Words 251–300
- 251许多xǔduōtrad. 許多
many; a lot; much
- 252顺利shùnlìtrad. 順利
go smoothly; without a hitch; successful
- 253职业zhíyètrad. 職業
profession; occupation
- 254赚zhuàn, zuàntrad. 賺multiple readings
earn; make a profit | to cheat; to swindle
Native note — zhuàn = to earn, to make a profit (赚钱). The zuàn reading means to swindle and is rare.
- 255地址dìzhǐ
address
- 256于是yúshìtrad. 於是
as a result; thus; therefore
- 257收拾shōushi
to tidy; put in order; to repair
- 258周围zhōuwéitrad. 周圍
surroundings; vicinity; environment
- 259爱情àiqíngtrad. 愛情
(romantic) love
- 260尊重zūnzhòng
esteem; to respect; to value
- 261十分shífēn
very; fully; 100%
- 262教授jiàoshòu
professor; instruct; to lecture
- 263超过chāoguòtrad. 超過
surpass; exceed; outstrip
- 264寄jì
send by mail
- 265顺便shùnbiàntrad. 順便
conveniently; in passing; on the way
- 266无聊wúliáotrad. 無聊
nonsense; bored; silly
- 267目的mùdì
purpose; aim; goal
- 268低dī
low; to lower (one's head); droop
- 269剩shèng
have as remainder; be left over; surplus
- 270复杂fùzátrad. 復雜
complicated; complex
- 271社会shèhuìtrad. 社會
society
- 272故意gùyì
deliberately; intentional; on purpose
- 273好处hǎochutrad. 好處
benefit; advantage
- 274竟然jìngrán
unexpectedly; to one's surprise; go so far as to
- 275表示biǎoshì
express; show; indicate
- 276印象yìnxiàng
impression
- 277出生chūshēng
be born
- 278估计gūjìtrad. 估計
appraise; estimate
- 279地点dìdiǎntrad. 地點
place; site; location
- 280轻qīngtrad. 輕
light; easy; gentle
- 281轻松qīngsōngtrad. 輕鬆
relaxed; gentle; easygoing
- 282作用zuòyòng
action; activity; effect
- 283举jǔtrad. 舉
lift; raise; cite
- 284小伙子xiǎohuǒzi
young man; lad; youngster
- 285著名zhùmíng
famous; well-known; celebration
- 286免费miǎn fèitrad. 免費
free (of charge); no cost
- 287伤心shāngxīntrad. 傷心
sad; grieve; brokenhearted
- 288记者jìzhětrad. 記者
reporter; journalist
- 289仔细zǐxìtrad. 仔細
careful; attentive; cautious
- 290巧克力qiǎokèlì
chocolate
- 291辣là
hot (spicy)
- 292互相hùxiāng
mutually; with each other
- 293厕所cèsuǒtrad. 廁所
bathroom; toilet; lavatory
- 294过程guòchéngtrad. 過程
course of events; process
- 295申请shēnqǐngtrad. 申請
apply for; application
- 296引起yǐnqǐ
give rise to; lead to; to cause
- 297发展fāzhǎntrad. 發展
develop; development; growth
- 298毕业bì yètrad. 畢業
to graduate; to finish school
- 299正式zhèngshì
formal; official
- 300厨房chúfángtrad. 廚房
kitchen
Words 301–350
- 301专业zhuānyètrad. 專業
profession; specialized field of study; major
- 302吸引xīyǐn
attract (interest, investment, etc.)
- 303心情xīnqíng
mood; state of mind
- 304祝贺zhùhètrad. 祝賀
congratulate
- 305条件tiáojiàntrad. 條件
condition; circumstances; prerequisite
- 306千万qiānwàntrad. 千萬
ten million; be sure to; must
- 307糖táng
sugar; candy; sweets
- 308趟tàng, tāngmultiple readings
(mw for trips times) | to wade
Native note — tàng = the measure word for round trips (去了一趟 went once). Use it for journeys, not for 次 which counts occurrences generally.
- 309由于yóuyútrad. 由於
due to; owing to; as a result of
- 310密码mìmǎtrad. 密碼
password; secret code
- 311倍bèi
(two, three, etc)-fold; times (multiplier)
- 312擦cā
to wipe; to rub; to polish
- 313尤其yóuqí
especially; particularly
- 314经验jīngyàntrad. 經驗
experience
- 315盒子hézi
box
- 316干杯gān bēi
to drink a toast; cheers!; bottoms up!
- 317看法kànfǎ
point of view; opinion
- 318脏zāng, zàngtrad. 臟multiple readings
filthy; dirty | internal organs; viscera
Native note — zāng = dirty (脏衣服). zàng = an internal organ — 心脏 xīnzàng (heart) is an HSK 4 word. Dirty is 1st tone, organ is 4th.
- 319艺术yìshùtrad. 藝術
art
- 320速度sùdù
speed; rate; velocity
- 321勇敢yǒnggǎn
brave; courageous
- 322数字shùzìtrad. 數字
number; numeral; figure
- 323暂时zànshítrad. 暫時
temporary; transient; for the moment
- 324优秀yōuxiùtrad. 優秀
outstanding; excellent
- 325笑话xiàohuatrad. 笑話
joke; laugh at
- 326可惜kěxī
it's a pity; regrettable; too bad
- 327响xiǎngtrad. 響
make a sound; to ring; echo
- 328省shěng, xǐngmultiple readings
to save; economize; omit | examine oneself; to visit; be aware
Native note — shěng = province, or to save (节省 economise). xǐng = to examine oneself (反省). Province and saving money are both 3rd tone shěng.
- 329笨bèn
stupid; foolish; silly
- 330科学kēxuétrad. 科學
science; scientific knowledge
- 331餐厅cāntīngtrad. 餐廳
dining hall; cafeteria; restaurant
- 332各gè
each; every
- 333距离jùlítrad. 距離
distance; be apart; away from
- 334窗户chuānghutrad. 窗戶
window
- 335空气kōngqìtrad. 空氣
air
- 336护士hùshitrad. 護士
nurse
- 337后悔hòuhuǐ
to regret; repent
- 338大约dàyuētrad. 大約
approximately; about
- 339内容nèiróngtrad. 內容
content; substance; details
- 340规定guīdìngtrad. 規定
regulation; stipulate; fix
- 341效果xiàoguǒ
effect; result
- 342现金xiànjīntrad. 現金
cash
- 343儿童értóngtrad. 兒童
child; children
- 344租zū
to rent
- 345篇piān
sheet; (mw for articles); piece of writing
- 346浪漫làngmàn
romantic
- 347态度tàidutrad. 態度
manner; bearing; attitude
- 348自信zìxìn
self-confidence
- 349吃惊chī jīngtrad. 吃驚
be startled; be shocked; be amazed
- 350熟悉shúxī
familiar with; know well
Words 351–400
- 351按照ànzhào
according to; in accordance with; in light of
- 352世纪shìjìtrad. 世紀
century
- 353回忆huíyìtrad. 回憶
to recall; recollect
- 354相同xiāngtóng
identical; same; alike
- 355重点zhòngdiǎntrad. 重點
emphasis; main point
- 356教育jiàoyù
education
- 357受不了shòu bu liǎo
cannot endure; unbearable; can't stand
- 358皮肤pífūtrad. 皮膚
skin
- 359区别qūbiétrad. 區別
difference; distinguish
- 360左右zuǒyòu
about; approximate; around | left and right
- 361阳光yángguāngtrad. 陽光
sunshine; sunlight
- 362页yètrad. 頁
page; leaf (Kangxi radical 181)
- 363文章wénzhāng
article; essay
- 364语言yǔyántrad. 語言
language
- 365标准biāozhǔntrad. 標准
(an official) standard; norm; criterion
- 366管理guǎnlǐ
supervise; manage
- 367误会wùhuìtrad. 誤會
to misunderstand; to mistake
- 368桥qiáotrad. 橋
bridge
- 369举行jǔxíngtrad. 舉行
convene; to hold (a meeting, ceremony, etc.)
- 370肚子dùzi
belly; abdomen; stomach
- 371不仅bùjǐntrad. 不僅
not only; not just
- 372饼干bǐnggāntrad. 餅干
biscuit; cracker; cookie
- 373国际guójìtrad. 國際
international
- 374信心xìnxīn
confidence; faith (in sb. or sth.)
- 375抬tái
to lift; to raise (with both palms up); carry (together)
- 376竞争jìngzhēngtrad. 競爭
compete
- 377汤tāngtrad. 湯
soup; broth
- 378作家zuòjiā
author; writer
- 379诚实chéngshítrad. 誠實
honest; honorable
- 380顾客gùkètrad. 顧客
customer; client
- 381存cún
exist; to deposit; to store
- 382香xiāng
fragrant; savory (Kangxi radical 186)
- 383打扮dǎban
dress up; put on make up
- 384交流jiāoliú
communicate; exchange; give and take
- 385年龄niánlíngtrad. 年齡
(a person's) age
- 386小说xiǎoshuōtrad. 小說
novel; fiction
- 387符合fúhé
in keeping with; in accordance with; conform
- 388交通jiāotōng
traffic; transportation
- 389共同gòngtóng
together; common; joint
- 390稍微shāowēi
a little bit; slightly
- 391增加zēngjiā
to increase; to raise; add
- 392敲qiāo
knock; blackmail
- 393适应shìyìngtrad. 適應
to suit; to fit; adapt
- 394苦kǔ
bitter; miserable
- 395辛苦xīnkǔ
hard; exhausting; toilsome
- 396然而rán'ér
however; yet; but
- 397耐心nàixīn
to be patient
- 398将来jiāngláitrad. 將來
the future
- 399沙发shāfātrad. 沙發
sofa
- 400最好zuìhǎo
the best; had better ...; it would be best
Words 401–450
- 401禁止jìnzhǐ
to ban; prohibit
- 402经济jīngjìtrad. 經濟
economy; economic
- 403座位zuòwèi
seat; place
- 404购物gòuwùtrad. 購物
go shopping; buy goods
- 405抽烟chōuyāntrad. 抽煙
to smoke (a cigarette, pipe, etc.)
- 406航班hángbān
scheduled flight; flight number
- 407礼貌lǐmàotrad. 禮貌
courtesy; politeness; manners
- 408提前tíqián
shift to an earlier date; bring forward; to advance
- 409判断pànduàntrad. 判斷
to judge; judgment; to decide
- 410胳膊gēbo
arm
- 411整理zhěnglǐ
put in order; arrange; straighten up
- 412森林sēnlín
forest
- 413同情tóngqíng
compassion; sympathy
- 414网站wǎngzhàntrad. 網站
website
- 415商量shāngliang
consult; talk over; discuss
- 416眼镜yǎnjìngtrad. 眼鏡
glasses; spectacles
- 417镜子jìngzitrad. 鏡子
mirror
- 418广播guǎngbōtrad. 廣播
broadcast; on the air
- 419专门zhuānméntrad. 專門
specialized
- 420弹钢琴tán gāngqíntrad. 彈鋼琴
play the piano
- 421尝chángtrad. 嘗
to taste; flavor; (past tense marker)
- 422流行liúxíng
spread; prevalent; be popular
- 423材料cáiliào
material
- 424对话duìhuàtrad. 對話
dialogue; conversation
- 425详细xiángxìtrad. 詳細
detailed; in detail; minute
- 426随着suízhetrad. 隨著
along with; in the wake of
- 427降落jiàngluò
descend; to land; put down
- 428功夫gōngfu
kung fu; skill; art
- 429严格yángétrad. 嚴格
strict; stringent; tight
- 430日记rìjìtrad. 日記
diary
- 431偶尔ǒu'ěrtrad. 偶爾
occasionally; once in a while; sometimes
- 432实际shíjìtrad. 實際
actual; reality; practice
- 433友好yǒuhǎo
friendly (relations); close friends
- 434相反xiāngfǎn
opposite; contrary
- 435大夫dàifu
doctor; physician
- 436友谊yǒuyìtrad. 友誼
friendship; companionship
- 437准确zhǔnquètrad. 准確
accurate; precise
- 438平时píngshítrad. 平時
ordinarily; in normal times; in peacetime
- 439对面duìmiàntrad. 對面
opposite; across from; the other side
- 440脾气píqitrad. 脾氣
temperament; disposition; temper
- 441价格jiàgétrad. 價格
price
- 442性格xìnggé
nature; personality; temperament
- 443鼓励gǔlìtrad. 鼓勵
encourage; inspire
- 444及时jíshítrad. 及時
timely; in time; promptly
- 445迷路mílù
to get lost
- 446棵kē
(mw for plants)
- 447理想lǐxiǎng
ideal
- 448工资gōngzītrad. 工資
wages; pay; earnings
- 449散步sàn bù
to go for a walk
- 450只好zhǐhǎotrad. 隻好
have to; be forced to
Words 451–500
- 451感动gǎndòngtrad. 感動
be moved; to touch emotionally
- 452知识zhīshitrad. 知識
knowledge; intellectual
- 453难受nánshòutrad. 難受
feel unwell; to suffer pain
- 454奖金jiǎngjīntrad. 獎金
bonus
- 455幽默yōumò
humorous
- 456孙子sūnzitrad. 孫子
grandson; son's son
- 457汗hàn, hánmultiple readings
sweat; perspiration; Khan
Native note — hàn = sweat (出汗). The same character stands in for Khan in 成吉思汗 Chéngjísī Hán, where it is 2nd tone.
- 458收入shōurù
take in; income; revenue
- 459酸suān
sour; sore; ache
- 460公里gōnglǐtrad. 公裡
kilometer
- 461害羞hài xiū
blush; shy
- 462基础jīchǔtrad. 基礎
base; foundation
- 463准时zhǔnshítrad. 准時
punctually; on time
- 464积极jījítrad. 積極
active; positive; energetic
- 465富fù
wealthy
- 466力气lìqitrad. 力氣
physical strength; effort
- 467入口rùkǒu
entrance
- 468袜子wàzitrad. 襪子
socks; stockings
- 469烦恼fánnǎotrad. 煩惱
worried; vexed
- 470举办jǔbàntrad. 舉辦
to conduct; to hold
- 471修理xiūlǐ
to repair; perform maintenance; to overhaul
- 472减少jiǎnshǎotrad. 減少
reduce; to decrease
- 473亲戚qīnqitrad. 親戚
a relative (i.e. family relation)
- 474参观cānguāntrad. 參觀
to visit (a place, such as a tourist spot); inspect
- 475丰富fēngfùtrad. 豐富
rich; enrich; abundant
- 476果汁guǒzhī
fruit juice
- 477毛巾máojīn
towel; washcloth
- 478作者zuòzhě
author; writer
- 479海洋hǎiyáng
ocean
- 480批评pīpíngtrad. 批評
criticize
- 481排队pái duìtrad. 排隊
queue; stand in line
- 482例如lìrú
for example; for instance
- 483植物zhíwù
plant; botanical; vegetation
- 484穷qióngtrad. 窮
poor; exhausted
- 485家具jiājù
furniture
- 486盐yántrad. 鹽
salt
- 487温度wēndùtrad. 溫度
temperature
- 488数量shùliàngtrad. 數量
amount; quantity; number
- 489逛guàng
to stroll; to visit; go window shopping
- 490厚hòu
thick (for flat things); generous
- 491亚洲Yàzhōutrad. 亞洲
Asia
- 492来不及lái bu jítrad. 來不及
there's not enough time (to do something); it's too late
- 493师傅shīfutrad. 師傅
master; qualified worker; teacher
- 494污染wūrǎn
pollution; contamination
- 495来得及lái de jítrad. 來得及
there's still time
- 496减肥jiǎnféitrad. 減肥
go on a diet; lose weight
- 497客厅kètīngtrad. 客廳
living room; parlor
- 498缺少quēshǎo
to lack; be short of; be deficient in
- 499老虎lǎohǔ
tiger
- 500降低jiàngdī
reduce; to lower; to drop
Words 501–550
- 501云yúntrad. 雲
cloud; Yunnan province | say; speak
- 502质量zhìliàngtrad. 質量
quality; mass (physics)
- 503学期xuéqītrad. 學期
semester; school term
- 504卫生间wèishēngjiāntrad. 衛生間
restroom; bathroom; water closet (WC)
- 505网球wǎngqiútrad. 網球
tennis; tennis ball
- 506其次qícì
next; secondly
- 507打招呼dǎzhāohu
notify; greet; inform
- 508表格biǎogé
form (document)
- 509阅读yuèdútrad. 閱讀
read; reading
- 510信封xìnfēng
envelope
- 511顺序shùnxùtrad. 順序
sequence; order
- 512放暑假fàng shǔjià
have summer vacation
- 513乘坐chéngzuò
ride; get into (a vehicle)
- 514重视zhòngshìtrad. 重視
to value; take seriously
- 515推迟tuīchítrad. 推遲
postpone; defer
- 516缺点quēdiǎntrad. 缺點
weak point; defect; fault
- 517加油站jiāyóuzhàn
gas station
- 518首都shǒudū
capital (city)
- 519羡慕xiànmùtrad. 羨慕
to envy; admire
- 520零钱língqiántrad. 零錢
small change (of money)
- 521暖和nuǎnhuo
warm; nice and warm
- 522懒lǎntrad. 懶
lazy
- 523出差chū chāi
go on a business trip
- 524民族mínzú
nationality; ethnic group
- 525传真chuánzhēntrad. 傳真
fax; facsimile
- 526优点yōudiǎntrad. 優點
merit; good point; a strength
- 527垃圾桶lājītǒng
garbage can
- 528加班jiā bān
work overtime
- 529房东fángdōngtrad. 房東
landlord
- 530按时ànshítrad. 按時
on time; on schedule
- 531葡萄pútao
grape
- 532往往wǎngwǎng
often; frequently; more often than not
- 533高速公路gāosù gōnglù
highway
- 534得意déyì
proud of oneself; complacent
- 535特点tèdiǎntrad. 特點
a characteristic; trait; feature
- 536合格hégé
qualified; up to standard
- 537性别xìngbiétrad. 性別
gender; sex; sexual distinction
- 538报名bào míngtrad. 報名
sign up; apply
- 539互联网Hùliánwǎngtrad. 互聯網
Internet
- 540景色jǐngsè
scenery; landscape; scene
- 541大使馆dàshǐguǎntrad. 大使館
embassy
- 542总结zǒngjiétrad. 總結
summarize; conclude
- 543热闹rènaotrad. 熱鬧
bustling; lively; busy
- 544郊区jiāoqūtrad. 郊區
suburbs; outskirts
- 545咳嗽késou
to cough
- 546签证qiānzhèngtrad. 簽証
visa
- 547咸xián
salty; salted; all
- 548打印dǎyìn
to print
- 549活泼huópotrad. 活潑
lively; vivacious
- 550邮局yóujútrad. 郵局
post office
Words 551–600
- 551牙膏yágāo
toothpaste
- 552气候qìhòutrad. 氣候
climate; atmosphere; weather
- 553勺子sháozi
spoon; scoop; ladle
- 554付款fù kuǎn
to pay
- 555理发lǐfàtrad. 理發
a barber, hairdressing; haircut
- 556复印fùyìntrad. 復印
photocopy; duplicate
- 557词语cíyǔtrad. 詞語
words and expressions; terms
- 558表扬biǎoyángtrad. 表揚
to praise; commend
- 559打针dǎzhēntrad. 打針
inject; get a shot
- 560普遍pǔbiàn
common; universal; general
- 561堵车dǔchētrad. 堵車
traffic jam
- 562叶子yèzitrad. 葉子
leaves
- 563打折dǎzhé
sell at a discount
- 564排列páiliè
arrange; align; permutation
- 565凉快liángkuaitrad. 涼快
nice and cool; pleasantly cool
- 566塑料袋sùliàodài
plastic bag
- 567导游dǎoyóutrad. 導游
tour guide
- 568小吃xiǎochī
snack; refreshments
- 569西红柿xīhóngshìtrad. 西紅柿
tomato
- 570招聘zhāopìn
recruitment; take job applications for a job
- 571节约jiéyuētrad. 節約
frugal; to save
- 572硕士shuòshìtrad. 碩士
Master's degree (M.A.)
- 573乒乓球pīngpāngqiú
ping pong; table tennis
- 574积累jīlěitrad. 積累
accumulate; accumulation
- 575橡皮xiàngpí
rubber; an eraser
- 576应聘yìngpìntrad. 應聘
accept a job offer; to apply for a job
- 577矿泉水kuàngquánshuǐtrad. 礦泉水
mineral water
- 578长城chángchéngtrad. 長城
the Great Wall
- 579语法yǔfǎtrad. 語法
grammar
- 580礼拜天lǐbàitiāntrad. 禮拜天
Sunday
- 581饺子jiǎozitrad. 餃子
dumpling; potsticker
- 582国籍guójítrad. 國籍
nationality
- 583售货员shòuhuòyuántrad. 售貨員
salesclerk; shop assistant
- 584翻译fānyìtrad. 翻譯
translate; translation; interpret
- 585流利liúlì
fluent
- 586粗心cūxīn
careless; inadvertent; negligent
- 587养成yǎngchéngtrad. 養成
cultivate; acquire; to form
- 588马虎mǎhutrad. 馬虎
careless; sloppy; casual
- 589百分之bǎifēnzhī
percent
- 590普通话pǔtōnghuàtrad. 普通話
Mandarin (common language)
- 591登机牌dēngjīpáitrad. 登機牌
boarding pass
- 592占线zhànxiàntrad. 佔線
the (phone) line is busy
- 593包子bāozi
steamed stuffed bun
- 594羽毛球yǔmáoqiú
badminton
- 595烤鸭kǎoyātrad. 烤鴨
roast duck
- 596寒假hánjià
winter vacation
- 597长江Chángjiāngtrad. 長江
the Yangtze River; the Changjiang River
- 598预习yùxítrad. 預習
(of students) prepare a lesson before class; preview
- 599填空tiánkòng
fill in the blanks; fill a vacancy
- 600京剧jīngjùtrad. 京劇
Beijing Opera
Other HSK levels
FAQ
Why does HSK 4 feel so much harder than HSK 3?
The jump in raw count is the biggest in the whole system — 600 new words against the 300 at HSK 3 — and the vocabulary turns abstract. At HSK 3 most words point at something you can see. At HSK 4 you get words like 情况, 方面, 增加, where nothing in the characters tells you the meaning outright.
Is HSK 4 enough to work in Chinese?
1200 words handles daily life and simple work conversation, but it is short of what most job postings mean by working proficiency — that is usually HSK 5 and up. HSK 4 is often the level where you can survive in Chinese without being able to do your job in it.
Is there a difference between the HSK 4 vocab list and the HSK 4 vocabulary list?
No — vocab is just the short form, and both refer to the same 600 words this level adds on top of the 600 from HSK 1 to 3. What does differ between sources is the ordering: most lists are alphabetical by pinyin, while this one is by how often each word actually appears.
Should I learn the second readings of these characters now?
Learn the ones that appear inside HSK 4 words themselves, and skip the rest. 重新 chóngxīn, 银行 yínháng, 放假 fàngjià, 心脏 xīnzàng and 出差 chūchāi all use a second reading and are all on this level's list. The obscure readings can wait.