How do you pronounce 成语?

成语 is pronounced "chéng yǔ" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 2 syllables.

What HSK level is 成语?

成语 is an HSK 6 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 6 on the new one.

What characters make up 成语?

成语 is made up of the characters 成, 语. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.

How do you write 成语?

You can practice writing 成语 using our stroke order tool.

成语 (chéng yǔ), Chinese set expression, typically of 4 characters, often alluding to a story or historical quotation

Q: What does 成语 mean in Chinese?

成语 (chéng yǔ) means "Chinese set expression, typically of 4 characters, often alluding to a story or historical quotation; idiom; proverb; saying; adage; ,本[ben3],句[ju4]" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 6.

成语

chéng yǔ

Chinese set expression, typically of 4 characters, often alluding to a story or historical quotation; idiom; proverb; saying

HSK 6 Was HSK 5classifier

Traditional: 成語

Characters in This Word

成语

Definitions

(classifier) Chinese set expression, typically of 4 characters, often alluding to a story or historical quotation
idiom
proverb
saying
adage
,本[ben3],句[ju4]

Classifier: 条 (tiáo), 本 (běn), 句 (jù)

Example Sentences

学习成语能帮助我们更好地理解中国文化。

Xuéxí chéngyǔ néng bāngzhù wǒmen gèng hǎo de lǐjiě Zhōngguó wénhuà

Learning idioms helps us better understand Chinese culture

Related Words

一(yī)· one

→

⺮(zhú)· "bamboo" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 118)

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㐄(kuà)· component in Chinese characters, mirror image of 夂[zhi3]

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㔾(jié)· "seal" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 26)

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HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 6
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 5 list

成语: HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 6 on the new one. 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 6 exam

Studying for HSK 6? Keep 成语 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each word 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 6 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.