What does 内 mean in Chinese?

内 (nèi) means "inside; inner; internal; within; interior" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 内?

内 is pronounced "nèi" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 内?

内 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 内?

Common words with 内 include 以内 (within), 之内 (inside), 任内 (period in office), 内丘 (Neiqiu county in Xingtai 邢台[Xing2 tai2], Hebei), 内丹 (Taoist internal alchemy).

How do you write 内?

You can practice writing 内 using our stroke order tool.

内 (nèi), inside

内

nèi

inside; inner; internal; within

HSK 4

Traditional: 內

Character Breakdown

Radical: 冂 (no. 13)Traditional: 內

View stroke order →

Definitions

inside
inner
internal
within
interior

Example Sentences

他现在在屋内。

Tā xiànzài zài wū nèi

He is inside the house now

Words Containing 内

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
以内	yǐ nèi	within	HSK 4
之内	zhī nèi	inside
任内	rèn nèi	period in office
内丘	Nèi qiū	Neiqiu county in Xingtai 邢台[Xing2 tai2], Hebei
内丹	nèi dān	Taoist internal alchemy

Related Words

内幕(nèi mù)· inside story

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HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 3 list

内: HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 内 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.