HSK 4 Word List: Complete 1,200 Words with PDF Download (2026)

What Is HSK 4?

HSK 4 is the level where Chinese becomes genuinely useful for academic and professional purposes. With 1,200 cumulative words under your belt, you can read simplified newspaper articles, follow most conversations on everyday and semi-abstract topics, and express your opinions with reasonable clarity. It corresponds roughly to CEFR level B2, which is often described as the “upper intermediate” threshold — the point where you transition from a learner who needs support to a communicator who can function independently.

For many learners, HSK 4 is the most important milestone in the entire HSK system. It is the minimum requirement for admission to most undergraduate programs at Chinese universities, and it is the level specified for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC). If you are studying Chinese for practical purposes — whether that means attending university in China, working for a Chinese company, or simply being able to navigate daily life with confidence — HSK 4 is your target.

The jump from HSK 3 to HSK 4 is significant. You are doubling your vocabulary from 600 to 1,200 words, and the nature of the words changes substantially. While HSK 1-3 focuses on concrete, everyday vocabulary (food, family, transportation, basic adjectives), HSK 4 introduces academic terminology, abstract concepts, and the connectors that allow you to construct complex arguments. This is where Chinese stops feeling like a survival toolkit and starts feeling like a real language you can think in.

What's New in HSK 4

HSK 4 adds 600 new words to your vocabulary — an enormous leap that doubles what you learned across all of HSK 1 through HSK 3. These new words span several important categories that collectively unlock your ability to engage with Chinese at a much deeper level.

Academic Vocabulary

Words like 教育 (education), 研究 (research), 科学 (science), 技术 (technology), 实验 (experiment), 理论 (theory), 专业 (major/specialty), and 知识 (knowledge) give you the foundation to discuss academic topics. If you plan to study at a Chinese university, these words will appear in every lecture, textbook, and campus conversation.

Business & Economy

HSK 4 introduces essential business vocabulary: 经济 (economy), 商业 (business), 市场 (market), 价格 (price), 竞争 (competition), 发展 (development), 投资 (investment), and 效果 (effect/result). These words are indispensable for anyone planning to work in or with China. You will encounter them in news articles, business meetings, and even casual conversations about the economy.

Media & Culture

Cultural literacy expands significantly with words like 新闻 (news), 报道 (report/coverage), 文化 (culture), 艺术 (art), 传统 (tradition), 观众 (audience), 节目 (program/show), and 现代 (modern). With these words, you can start engaging with Chinese media — reading news headlines, discussing television shows, and understanding cultural commentary.

Society & Politics

You gain vocabulary for discussing societal structures: 社会 (society), 政府 (government), 法律 (law), 政策 (policy), 制度 (system/institution), 国际 (international), 人民 (the people), and 权利 (rights). These words appear constantly in Chinese media, and understanding them is essential for reading beyond simple lifestyle articles.

Emotions & Personality

Your emotional vocabulary deepens considerably. Beyond the basic 高兴 (happy) and 难过 (sad) from earlier levels, you can now express nuanced feelings: 感动 (moved/touched), 紧张 (nervous/tense), 骄傲 (proud), 自信 (confident), 温柔 (gentle/tender), 勇敢 (brave), and 耐心 (patient). This vocabulary transforms how you can describe people, react to situations, and express yourself in personal conversations.

Advanced Connectors

Perhaps the most transformative addition at HSK 4 is the set of advanced connectors and conjunctions. Patterns like 不仅...而且 (not only...but also), 尽管 (despite), 由于 (due to), 因此 (therefore), 无论...都 (regardless of...all), and 即使 (even if) allow you to construct complex, multi-clause sentences. These are the linguistic tools that elevate your Chinese from “I can communicate basic ideas” to “I can build arguments and express nuanced thoughts.”

Abstract Concepts

HSK 4 rounds out your vocabulary with abstract nouns that are essential for intellectual discourse: 现象 (phenomenon), 原因 (reason/cause), 结果 (result), 过程 (process), 方法 (method), 态度 (attitude), 观点 (viewpoint), and 目标 (goal/objective). Without these words, it is nearly impossible to discuss ideas at any depth. With them, you can analyze problems, compare perspectives, and articulate plans — skills that are fundamental to university study and professional work.

Here is a preview of some HSK 4 vocabulary. Click the cards below to reveal the pinyin and English meaning. These are words you will encounter at HSK 4 level:

HSK 4 Exam Format

The HSK 4 exam consists of three sections with a total duration of approximately 100 minutes. Understanding the format is critical for effective preparation — you need to know not just what words to learn but how you will be tested on them.

Listening (45 items, ~30 minutes)

The listening section features longer dialogues and monologues than HSK 3. You will hear conversations about work, education, current events, and personal opinions. Questions test your ability to understand the main idea, specific details, and the speaker's attitude or intention. Each recording is played only once at HSK 4, so you need to process Chinese at natural speaking speed.

Reading (40 items, ~40 minutes)

Reading passages at HSK 4 are substantially longer and more complex than at lower levels. You will encounter short articles, opinion pieces, and narrative texts. Questions test vocabulary in context, reading comprehension, and the ability to identify the author's main argument. Some items require you to choose the correct sentence to fill a blank in a passage, testing your understanding of coherence and logical flow.

Writing (15 items, ~25 minutes)

The writing section is where HSK 4 becomes significantly more demanding than HSK 3. Tasks include reordering words to form correct sentences, filling in blanks with appropriate words, and writing short passages based on given prompts or images. You need to demonstrate not just vocabulary knowledge but grammatical accuracy and the ability to organize ideas coherently. This section is worth practicing extensively, as many test-takers lose points here.

The total score is 300 points (100 per section), and you need 180 points to pass. There is no minimum per-section requirement, which means a strong performance in listening and reading can offset a weaker writing score. However, aiming for balanced preparation across all three sections is the safest strategy.

How Long Does It Take to Reach HSK 4?

Starting from zero, most learners reach HSK 4 in 1 to 2 years of consistent study. This assumes regular daily practice (at least 30-60 minutes per day) and a structured approach to vocabulary acquisition. Intensive programs — such as full-time language courses in China — can compress this timeline to 8-12 months.

If you have already passed HSK 3, expect to spend 4 to 6 months reaching HSK 4. The 600-word jump is substantial, and unlike earlier levels where many words are intuitive (numbers, family members, common objects), HSK 4 vocabulary requires deliberate memorization. Words like 现象 (phenomenon), 竞争 (competition), and 积累 (to accumulate) do not appear in casual conversation frequently enough for passive acquisition — you need active study.

The most efficient approach is spaced repetition. At 15-20 new words per day with daily reviews of previously learned material, you can learn 600 new words in approximately 30-40 days of raw introduction time. However, you need an additional 2-3 months of review to solidify retention before taking the exam. Cramming 600 words in a week is theoretically possible but leads to catastrophic forgetting within days.

Keep in mind that vocabulary is only one component. You also need listening practice, reading comprehension work, and writing preparation. Budget your study time accordingly — a rough split might be 40% vocabulary, 25% listening, 20% reading, and 15% writing.

HSK 2.0 vs HSK 3.0: Changes at Level 4

The HSK system is undergoing a major overhaul. Under HSK 2.0 (the current system), HSK 4 requires 1,200 cumulative words and tests listening, reading, and writing. Under HSK 3.0 (launching July 2026), the word count and level structure are being revised.

The most significant change at Level 4 under HSK 3.0 is the introduction of translation as a tested skill. Under the current system, translation is not formally assessed. Under HSK 3.0, you will need to translate short passages from Chinese to English and from English to Chinese. This is a substantial addition that requires not just knowing the words but understanding how to map between the two languages structurally.

Under HSK 3.0, Level 4 also requires approximately 1,200 cumulative words, maintaining a similar vocabulary threshold to the current system. However, the specific words on the list may differ slightly, with some additions and removals reflecting updated frequency data and pedagogical priorities. If you are preparing for an exam after July 2026, check whether your test center is administering the 2.0 or 3.0 version, and study the corresponding word list.

Regardless of which version you take, the core vocabulary overlaps heavily. Learning the 1,200 words on either list puts you in excellent position for both versions of the exam. For a detailed comparison, see our HSK 3.0 vs HSK 2.0 comparison guide.

Why HSK 4 Matters

HSK 4 is not just another level to check off — it unlocks tangible opportunities that lower levels do not. Here is what HSK 4 opens up for you:

• University admission: Most Chinese universities require HSK 4 as the minimum for undergraduate programs taught in Chinese. This includes top-tier institutions and the majority of degree programs. Without HSK 4, your application will typically not be considered.
• Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC): The CSC scholarship, one of the most popular funding options for international students in China, lists HSK 4 as a standard requirement. This scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, and provides a monthly stipend.
• Job applications: Many multinational companies operating in China or doing business with Chinese partners list HSK 4 as a preferred or required qualification. It signals that you can handle professional communication in Chinese, participate in meetings, and read business documents.
• Visa advantages: Some Chinese visa categories and residency permits consider HSK certification as supporting documentation. While HSK 4 alone does not guarantee visa approval, it strengthens your application by demonstrating genuine engagement with Chinese language and culture.
• Personal milestone: From a language learning perspective, HSK 4 represents the transition from “I am learning Chinese” to “I can use Chinese.” You can read menus without pictures, understand most of what is said in a normal-paced conversation, and express complex thoughts. This is where the effort starts paying off in daily life.

Study Strategies for HSK 4

Reaching HSK 4 requires a more sophisticated study approach than earlier levels. You cannot rely on memorizing word lists alone — you need to encounter words in context, practice producing them, and build the stamina for longer reading and listening passages. Here are the strategies that work best at this level.

Extensive Reading

At HSK 4 level, you can start reading simplified Chinese content for pleasure and practice. Graded readers designed for intermediate learners, Chinese language learning websites, and simplified news articles are all accessible with a dictionary nearby. The goal is not to understand every word but to build reading fluency and encounter vocabulary in natural contexts. Aim for 15-20 minutes of reading per day in addition to your flashcard study.

Chinese-Language Media

Start incorporating Chinese TV shows, podcasts, and YouTube channels into your routine. At HSK 4, you will not understand everything, but you will catch enough to follow the general storyline of a drama or the main points of a news segment. Use Chinese subtitles (not English) when available. This dual input of reading and listening simultaneously reinforces vocabulary in ways that flashcards alone cannot replicate.

Conversation Partners

Find a language exchange partner or tutor for regular conversation practice. At HSK 4, you have enough vocabulary to sustain real conversations on a variety of topics. Practice discussing news, sharing opinions on movies, or debating everyday topics. The pressure of real-time conversation forces you to actively recall vocabulary instead of passively recognizing it — a critical distinction for exam performance.

Topic-Based Vocabulary Study

Rather than studying the 600 new words in random order, organize them by topic. Spend a week on academic vocabulary, then a week on business terms, then emotions, and so on. This creates semantic clusters in your memory, making words easier to recall because they are associated with related concepts. HSKLord organizes HSK 4 vocabulary by category for exactly this reason.

Past Exam Practice

Official past HSK 4 exams are available through Chinese Testing International and various HSK preparation books. Complete at least 3-5 full practice exams under timed conditions before your test date. This familiarizes you with the question formats, helps you develop time management strategies, and identifies weak areas to target in your final weeks of preparation. Pay particular attention to the writing section, which many learners underestimate.

Targeted Writing Practice

The writing section trips up many HSK 4 candidates who focused exclusively on recognition-based study. Practice writing short paragraphs on common HSK 4 topics: describe a photo, summarize an article, express your opinion on a topic. Have a tutor or language partner check your writing for grammatical accuracy and natural word usage. Even 10 minutes of writing practice daily makes a significant difference.

For a comprehensive overview of study tools, see our guide to the best HSK apps in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions