HSK 5 Word List 2026: All 2,500 Words with PDF Download
Complete HSK 5 vocabulary reference with 2,500 words (1,299 new). Top 100 words with examples, 200+ words in compact tables, plus free PDF download.
HSK 5 Word List 2026: All 2,500 Words with PDF Download
HSK 5 marks the transition to advanced Chinese proficiency. At this level you can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, enjoy Chinese films without subtitles, and deliver structured speeches in Chinese. HSK 5 requires a total of 2,500 words -- the 1,200 from HSK 1-4 plus 1,299 new words introduced at this level.
This is a massive vocabulary expansion that requires disciplined, long-term study. This guide presents the 100 most critical new words with full example sentences, followed by 200 additional words in compact tables, and directs you to the complete PDF for the remaining vocabulary.
For the foundational levels, see our HSK 1, HSK 2, HSK 3, and HSK 4 word lists. For advanced study strategies, read our HSK 5 study guide.
HSK 5 at a Glance
- Total vocabulary: 2,500 words (1,200 from HSK 1-4 + 1,299 new)
- New words in this list: 1,299
- Unique characters: approximately 2,000+
- Recommended study hours: 400+ hours total
- Exam format: Listening, reading, and writing (including essay)
- Passing score: 180 out of 300
- Level equivalent: Advanced / CEFR C1
Download the complete list: HSK 5 Vocabulary PDF
Top 100 Most Important HSK 5 Words with Examples
These are the highest-frequency and most useful new words at HSK 5. They represent core advanced vocabulary that you will encounter in academic, professional, and cultural contexts.
Emotions and Character
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 爱心 | aixin | love, caring | 她是一个有爱心的人。(Ta shi yi ge you aixin de ren.) - She is a caring person. |
| 安慰 | anwei | comfort | 失恋后，朋友们的安慰帮她慢慢走出了痛苦。(Shilian hou, pengyoumen de anwei bang ta manman zouchu le tongku.) - After the breakup, her friends' comfort helped her gradually overcome the pain. |
| 悲观 | beiguan | pessimism | 不要太悲观，要保持乐观的态度。(Bu yao tai beiguan, yao baochi leguan de taidu.) - Don't be too pessimistic, maintain an optimistic attitude. |
| 不耐烦 | bunifan | impatient | 等了半个小时，他开始有点不耐烦了。(Deng le ban ge xiaoshi, ta kaishi youdian bunifan le.) - After waiting thirty minutes, he started getting impatient. |
| 诚恳 | chengken | sincere | 他用诚恳的态度和我们交流。(Ta yong chengken de taidu he women jiaoliu.) - He communicated with us sincerely. |
| 丑 | chou | ugly | 不要因为别人的外表丑陋而嘲笑他们。(Buyao yinwei bieren de waibiao choulou er chaoxiao tamen.) - Don't mock people for their appearance. |
Thinking and Communication
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 表达 | biaoda | expression | 学生需要提高他们的表达能力。(Xuesheng xuyao tigao tamen de biaoda nengli.) - Students need to improve their expressive abilities. |
| 表面 | biaomian | surface | 表面上看起来不错。(Biaomian shang kanqilai bucuo.) - On the surface it looks good. |
| 表情 | biaoqing | facial expression | 她的表情显示了她很高兴。(Ta de biaoqing xianshi le ta hen gaoxing.) - Her facial expression showed she was happy. |
| 表现 | biaoxian | performance | 他在考试中的表现很出色。(Ta zai kaoshi zhong de biaoxian hen chuse.) - His performance on the exam was excellent. |
| 辩论 | bianlun | debate | 他喜欢参加课堂辩论。(Ta xihuan canjia ketang bianlun.) - He enjoys classroom debates. |
| 称赞 | chengzan | praise | 老师称赞他的作文写得很好。(Laoshi chengzan ta de zuowen xie de hen hao.) - The teacher praised his essay. |
| 沟通 | goutong | communicate | 有效的沟通是关键。(Youxiao de goutong shi guanjian.) - Effective communication is key. |
| 概括 | gaikuo | generalize | 请用一句话概括这篇文章的主要内容。(Qing yong yi ju hua gaikuo zhe pian wenzhang de zhuyao neirong.) - Summarize this article in one sentence. |
Academic and Professional
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 报告 | baogao | report | 他熬夜写完了年度工作报告。(Ta aoye xiewan le niandu gongzuo baogao.) - He stayed up late to finish the annual report. |
| 本科 | benke | undergraduate | 她本科毕业后决定继续深造。(Ta benke biye hou jueding jixu shenzao.) - After undergraduate graduation, she decided to pursue further education. |
| 本领 | benling | ability | 学好一门外语是一种很有用的本领。(Xuehao yi men waiyu shi yi zhong hen youyong de benling.) - Mastering a foreign language is a useful skill. |
| 参考 | cankao | reference | 我建议参考这份研究报告。(Wo jianyi cankao zhe fen yanjiu baogao.) - I recommend referring to this research report. |
| 程序 | chengxu | program | 这个程序可以帮助计算机运行。(Zhege chengxu keyi bangzhu jisuanji yunxing.) - This program helps the computer run. |
| 成立 | chengli | establish | 他们成立了一家新公司。(Tamen chengli le yi jia xin gongsi.) - They established a new company. |
| 成语 | chengyu | idiom | 学习成语能帮助我们更好地理解中国文化。(Xuexi chengyu neng bangzhu women geng hao de lijie Zhongguo wenhua.) - Learning idioms helps us better understand Chinese culture. |
| 担任 | danren | serve as | 她担任了公司市场部经理的职位。(Ta danren le gongsi shichangbu jingli de zhiwei.) - She assumed the position of marketing manager. |
Society and Current Affairs
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 采取 | caiqu | adopt, take | 我们需要采取有效的措施来解决问题。(Women xuyao caiqu youxiao de cuoshi lai jiejue wenti.) - We need to adopt effective measures to solve the problem. |
| 产生 | chansheng | produce | 这个决定产生了很大的影响。(Zhege jueding chansheng le hen da de yingxiang.) - This decision had a significant impact. |
| 持续 | chixu | continued | 持续的学习和努力对成功至关重要。(Chixu de xuexi he nuli dui chenggong zhiguanzhongyao.) - Continuous learning and effort are critical to success. |
| 措施 | cuoshi | measures | 政府采取了有效的措施来控制疫情。(Zhengfu caiqu le youxiao de cuoshi lai kongzhi yiqing.) - The government took effective measures to control the epidemic. |
| 传统 | chuantong | tradition | 春节是中国最重要的传统节日。(Chunjie shi Zhongguo zui zhongyao de chuantong jieri.) - Spring Festival is China's most important traditional holiday. |
| 除非 | chufei | unless | 除非有紧急情况，否则我们准时开会。(Chufei you jinji qingkuang, fouze women zhunshi kaihui.) - Unless there's an emergency, the meeting starts on time. |
| 财产 | caichan | property | 保护个人财产是很必要的。(Baohu geren caichan shi hen biyao de.) - Protecting personal property is essential. |
| 处理 | chuli | handle | 需要及时处理这个文件。(Xuyao jishi chuli zhege wenjian.) - This file needs to be handled promptly. |
Logic and Connectors
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 必然 | biran | inevitable | 如果继续破坏环境，人类将面临必然的灾难。(Ruguo jixu pohuai huanjing, renlei jiang mianlin biran de zainan.) - Destroying the environment will lead to inevitable disaster. |
| 必要 | biyao | necessary | 改革现有的制度是很必要的。(Gaige xianyou de zhidu shi hen biyao de.) - Reforming the existing system is very necessary. |
| 不见得 | bujiande | not necessarily | 他说的话不见得都是对的。(Ta shuo de hua bujiande dou shi dui de.) - What he says is not necessarily all correct. |
| 不断 | buduan | constantly | 他不断努力提高自己的能力。(Ta buduan nuli tigao ziji de nengli.) - He constantly strives to improve his abilities. |
| 不然 | buran | otherwise | 我们必须努力学习，不然会考不上大学。(Women bixu nuli xuexi, buran hui kao bushang daxue.) - We must study hard, otherwise we won't get into university. |
| 不足 | buzu | insufficient | 这个计划还有很多不足之处。(Zhege jihua hai you hen duo buzu zhi chu.) - This plan still has many shortcomings. |
| 此外 | ciwai | in addition | 他很聪明，此外很努力。(Ta hen congming, ciwai hen nuli.) - He's smart, and moreover very hardworking. |
| 从而 | cong'er | thus | 他努力学习，从而取得了好成绩。(Ta nuli xuexi, cong'er qude le hao chengji.) - He studied hard, thus achieving good grades. |
| 从前 | congqian | before | 从前这里是一片森林。(Congqian zheli shi yi pian senlin.) - In the past, this was a forest. |
Nature and Environment
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 岸 | an | bank, shore | 小船终于靠岸了。(Xiaochuan zhongyu kao an le.) - The boat finally reached the shore. |
| 潮湿 | chaoshi | damp | 南方的天气比较潮湿。(Nanfang de tianqi bijiao chaoshi.) - Southern weather is quite humid. |
| 常识 | changshi | common sense | 学生应该掌握基本的生活常识。(Xuesheng yinggai zhangwo jiben de shenghuo changshi.) - Students should master basic common sense. |
Actions and Daily Life
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 熬夜 | aoye | stay up late | 经常熬夜对健康不好。(Jingchang aoye dui jiankang bu hao.) - Staying up late frequently is bad for health. |
| 包含 | baohan | contain | 这个价格包含了所有费用。(Zhege jiage baohan le suoyou feiyong.) - This price includes all fees. |
| 保存 | baocun | preservation | 请把文件保存到电脑里。(Qing ba wenjian baocun dao diannao li.) - Please save the document to the computer. |
| 保留 | baoliu | retain | 我保留了当时的照片。(Wo baoliu le dangshi de zhaopian.) - I retained the photos from that time. |
| 报到 | baodao | register | 新生明天到学校报到。(Xinsheng mingtian dao xuexiao baodao.) - New students report to school tomorrow. |
| 补充 | buchong | supplement | 请让我补充一些信息。(Qing rang wo buchong yixie xinxi.) - Please allow me to add some information. |
| 踩 | cai | step on | 他不小心踩了别人一脚。(Ta bu xiaoxin cai le bieren yi jiao.) - He accidentally stepped on someone's foot. |
| 插 | cha | insert | 请把这个USB插入电脑。(Qing ba zhege USB charu diannao.) - Please insert the USB into the computer. |
| 拆 | chai | remove, demolish | 旧房子被拆掉了。(Jiu fangzi bei chai diao le.) - The old house was demolished. |
| 吹 | chui | blow | 风吹动了树叶。(Feng chui dong le shuye.) - The wind blew the leaves. |
| 冲 | chong | rush, rinse | 早上需要冲澡才能精神。(Zaoshang xuyao chong zao caineng jingshen.) - A morning shower helps you feel refreshed. |
Descriptions and Modifiers
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 宝贵 | baogui | valuable | 这次经历给了我许多宝贵的经验。(Zhe ci jingli gei le wo xuduo baogui de jingyan.) - This experience gave me much valuable experience. |
| 比例 | bili | proportion | 男女学生的比例大约是一比一。(Nannv xuesheng de bili dayue shi yi bi yi.) - The ratio of male to female students is about 1:1. |
| 彻底 | chedi | thorough | 他彻底改变了自己的看法。(Ta chedi gaibian le ziji de kanfa.) - He completely changed his views. |
| 充分 | chongfen | sufficient | 我们要充分利用时间来学习。(Women yao chongfen liyong shijian lai xuexi.) - We should make full use of our time. |
| 粗糙 | cucao | rough | 这张纸表面很粗糙。(Zhe zhang zhi biaomian hen cucao.) - This paper has a rough surface. |
| 单调 | dandiao | monotonous | 他觉得生活越来越单调无聊。(Ta juede shenghuo yuelaiyue dandiao wuliao.) - He feels life is increasingly monotonous. |
| 独特 | dute | unique | 每个人都有独特的天赋和才能。(Mei ge ren dou you dute de tianfu he caineng.) - Everyone has unique talents. |
| 匆忙 | congmang | hastily | 他匆忙地跑出门。(Ta congmang de pao chu men.) - He hurriedly ran out. |
Additional HSK 5 Vocabulary (Compact Reference)
The following tables list 200 more HSK 5 words for reference. For the complete list of all 1,299 new words, download the full PDF.
Culture and Society
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 标志 | biaozhi | sign, symbol |
| 鞭炮 | bianpao | firecracker |
| 除夕 | chuxi | New Year's Eve |
| 传染 | chuanran | contagion |
| 古代 | gudai | ancient |
| 博物馆 | bowuguan | museum |
| 成人 | chengren | adult |
Economy and Business
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 部门 | bumen | department |
| 单位 | danwei | company, unit |
| 待遇 | daiyu | treatment |
| 代表 | daibiao | representative |
| 繁荣 | fanrong | prosperity |
| 发达 | fada | developed |
| 范围 | fanwei | range, scope |
| 方案 | fang'an | plan, scheme |
| 方式 | fangshi | mode, method |
| 风险 | fengxian | risk |
| 工厂 | gongchang | factory |
| 工业 | gongye | industry |
| 公开 | gongkai | open, public |
| 公平 | gongping | fair |
| 公寓 | gongyu | apartment |
| 功能 | gongneng | function |
| 发票 | fapiao | invoice |
Science and Technology
Actions and Processes
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 承担 | chengdan | bear (responsibility) |
| 承受 | chengshou | endure |
| 出口 | chukou | exit |
| 出示 | chushi | show |
| 出席 | chuxi | attend |
| 打工 | dagong | work (part-time) |
| 耽误 | danwu | delay |
| 登记 | dengji | register |
| 度过 | duguo | spend (time) |
| 对比 | duibi | contrast |
| 对待 | duidai | treat |
| 发表 | fabiao | publish |
| 发挥 | fahui | display (talent) |
| 发言 | fayan | give a speech |
| 改进 | gaijin | improve |
| 改正 | gaizheng | correct |
| 告别 | gaobie | farewell |
| 赶快 | gankuai | hurry up |
Descriptions
Objects and Places
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 冰激凌 | bingjiling | ice cream |
| 被子 | beizi | quilt |
| 操场 | caochang | playground |
| 叉子 | chazi | fork |
| 尺子 | chizi | ruler |
| 车库 | cheku | garage |
| 大厦 | dasha | large building |
| 地毯 | ditan | carpet |
| 宠物 | chongwu | pet |
| 大象 | daxiang | elephant |
| 动画片 | donghuapian | cartoon |
| 隔壁 | gebi | next door |
| 肥皂 | feizao | soap |
Abstract Concepts
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 背景 | beijing | background |
| 道理 | daoli | truth, reason |
| 地震 | dizhen | earthquake |
| 等于 | dengyu | equal to |
| 敌人 | diren | enemy |
| 讽刺 | fengci | satire |
| 否认 | fouren | deny |
| 感想 | ganxiang | thoughts |
| 根本 | genben | at all, fundamental |
| 个人 | geren | personal |
| 各自 | gezi | each |
| 反而 | fan'er | instead |
| 反应 | fanying | reaction |
| 反正 | fanzheng | anyway |
| 风景 | fengjing | scenery |
| 法院 | fayuan | court |
| 罚款 | fakuan | fine (penalty) |
More Function Words
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 唉 | ai | alas |
| 促使 | cushi | urge, prompt |
| 趁 | chen | while (taking advantage of) |
| 称 | cheng | call, name |
| 闯 | chuang | rush, dash |
| 抽象 | chouxiang | abstract |
| 重复 | chongfu | repeat |
| 多亏 | duokui | thanks to |
| 妨碍 | fang'ai | hinder |
| 分布 | fenbu | distribution |
| 分手 | fenshou | break up |
| 扶 | fu | support, hold up |
| 逗 | dou | amuse |
| 滴 | di | drop |
| 递 | di | hand over |
| 顶 | ding | top |
| 冻 | dong | freeze |
| 吨 | dun | ton |
| 顿 | dun | meal (measure word) |
| 朵 | duo | classifier for flowers |
| 醋 | cu | vinegar |
The remaining 800+ words are included in the complete PDF download. These cover topics including technology, law, medicine, literature, philosophy, economics, and more specialized domains.
Study Strategy for 1,299 New Words
Learning nearly 1,300 new words requires a serious long-term commitment. Here is a realistic approach:
1. Set a daily target. Aim to learn 5-10 new words per day while reviewing previous words. At this pace, you can cover all new vocabulary in 4-8 months, which aligns with the typical HSK 5 preparation timeline.
2. Use spaced repetition as your primary tool. With 2,500 total words to maintain, manual study is not feasible. A spaced repetition system ensures you never forget words you have already learned while steadily adding new ones.
3. Read extensively in Chinese. At HSK 5 level, you should be reading real Chinese content -- news articles, short stories, blog posts, and social media. This exposes you to vocabulary in natural contexts and helps cement words that feel abstract in flashcard form.
4. Listen to Chinese media daily. HSK 5 listening passages are long and complex. Build your listening skills by consuming Chinese podcasts, TV shows, and films. Pay attention to new vocabulary as it appears naturally.
5. Write regularly. HSK 5 includes an essay-writing component. Practice writing 200-300 character essays on various topics weekly. Use new vocabulary actively in your writing to move words from passive recognition to active production.
6. Focus on word families. Many HSK 5 words share characters with words from lower levels. For example, 表达 (express), 表面 (surface), 表情 (expression), and 表现 (performance) all share the character 表. Grouping such words accelerates learning.
For more advanced strategies, see our HSK 5 and 6 fluency guide and best way to learn Chinese in 2026.
Download the Complete HSK 5 Word List PDF
The full HSK 5 vocabulary PDF contains all 1,299 new words plus the 1,200 words from HSK 1-4, giving you a single comprehensive reference document.
Download the HSK 5 Vocabulary PDF
For official HSK 5 exam registration and syllabus information, visit the Chinese Testing International website.
FAQ
How many words do I need to know for HSK 5?
HSK 5 requires mastery of 2,500 words total. This includes all 1,200 words from HSK 1-4 plus 1,299 new words. The new vocabulary covers advanced topics including abstract concepts, professional terminology, academic language, cultural references, and sophisticated grammar structures.
How long does it take to prepare for HSK 5?
From HSK 4 level, most learners need 6-12 months of dedicated study to prepare for HSK 5. This assumes approximately 1-2 hours of daily study. The total recommended study time from zero to HSK 5 is 400+ hours. Using spaced repetition and extensive reading significantly accelerates the process.
What can I do with HSK 5 proficiency?
HSK 5 corresponds to CEFR C1 (advanced). At this level you can read Chinese newspapers and novels, watch Chinese films without subtitles, participate in professional discussions, write structured essays, and study at Chinese universities. Many Chinese university programs require HSK 5 for admission.
Is HSK 5 considered fluent?
HSK 5 represents advanced proficiency and is often described as "functional fluency." You can handle most communication situations effectively, though you may still encounter unfamiliar vocabulary in highly specialized fields. True native-like proficiency is typically associated with HSK 6 and beyond, but HSK 5 is sufficient for professional and academic purposes.
What is the hardest part of HSK 5?
Most learners find the sheer volume of vocabulary (1,299 new words) to be the biggest challenge. The listening section is also significantly harder than HSK 4, with longer passages and more natural speech patterns. The writing section requires you to produce a well-structured essay, which demands both vocabulary breadth and grammatical accuracy.
Should I study for HSK 5 or HSK 6 directly?
If you are at HSK 4 level, we recommend targeting HSK 5 first. The jump from HSK 4 to HSK 6 (adding 3,800+ words) is extremely large and difficult to manage in one step. HSK 5 provides a natural intermediate milestone that builds confidence and provides a solid platform for eventual HSK 6 preparation.
Related Articles
- HSK 4 Word List: Complete 1,200 Words with PDF
- HSK 5 Study Guide: Advanced Preparation Plan
- HSK 5 and 6: The Road to Fluency
- Spaced Repetition for Chinese Learning
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Rudolph Minister
Marketing Manager at HSK Lord
HSK 6 Certified, Fluent in Chinese
I started learning Chinese from zero and achieved HSK 6 fluency while working full-time.
Over the years, I've helped thousands of students navigate their HSK journey. I built HSK Lord's content strategy to solve the problems I faced: finding quality study materials, staying consistent, and actually remembering vocabulary long-term.
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