The HSK 4 (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi 4) is the turning point for any Mandarin learner. Passing this level proves you are no longer a beginner; you are now an intermediate speaker capable of discussing complex topics and reading newspaper-style content.
The following guide provides everything you need to master the HSK 4, from vocabulary requirements to specific test-taking strategies. What is the HSK 4?
The HSK 4 is a standardized international Chinese proficiency test. It targets learners who can discuss a wide range of topics in Chinese and are capable of communicating fluently with native Chinese speakers.
Total Words: 1,200 (600 new words added to the 600 from HSK 1–3). Duration: Approximately 105 minutes. Passing Score: 180 out of 300.
Format: Available in both paper-based and internet-based (at a test center). HSK 4 Test Structure
The exam is divided into three distinct sections: Listening, Reading, and Writing. Unlike lower levels, the HSK 4 does not include Pinyin on the test paper; you must be able to recognize all characters. 1. Listening (45 Questions, 30 Minutes)
Part 1: Determine if a statement is true or false based on a short dialogue.
Part 2: Listen to a conversation between two people and answer a question.
Part 3: Listen to a longer monologue or dialogue and answer one or two questions. Challenge: Audio is played only once. 2. Reading (40 Questions, 40 Minutes)
Part 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct words from a provided list.
Part 2: Arrange three sentences (A, B, C) into the correct logical order.
Part 3: Read short passages and select the best answer for the questions provided. 3. Writing (15 Questions, 25 Minutes)
Part 1: Rearrange words to form grammatically correct sentences.
Part 2: Look at a picture and a given word, then write a meaningful sentence. Core Grammar and Vocabulary Focus
To pass the HSK 4, you must move beyond simple "Subject-Verb-Object" structures. You will need to master:
Resultative Complements: Understanding outcome markers like 完 (wán), 好 (hǎo), and 懂 (dǒng). Passive Sentences: Using 被 (bèi) correctly. chinese test hsk 4
Disposal Sentences: Mastering the 把 (bǎ) structure for manipulating objects.
Conjunctions: Using complex connectors like 尽管...但是 (jǐnguǎn... dànshì - although... but) or 既然...就 (jìrán... jiù - since... then).
Synonyms: Differentiating between words with similar meanings, such as 保证 (bǎozhèng) and 肯定 (kěndìng). 5 Expert Tips for Success 🎧 Train Your "One-Chance" Listening
Since audio plays only once, use the "preview" technique. Read the multiple-choice options before the audio starts. This helps you predict the context (e.g., if you see times/dates, you know to listen for numbers). ✍️ Practice Character Stroke Order
For the writing section, if you take the paper-based test, your characters must be legible. If you take the internet-based test, you must be fast at typing Pinyin and selecting the correct character from a list. ⏱️ Manage Your Time
The Reading section is often the biggest hurdle. You have exactly one minute per question. If you get stuck on a "Sentence Ordering" question, move on and come back to it later. 📖 Read for Context, Not Words
Don't panic if you see a character you don't know. HSK 4 often includes "filler" words to test if you can grasp the general meaning of a paragraph despite minor gaps in vocabulary. 📝 Use High-Frequency Words
In the Writing section (Part 2), don't try to be overly poetic. Use the provided word in a clear, grammatically perfect sentence. A simple, correct sentence scores higher than a complex, broken one. Recommended Study Resources
HSK Standard Course 4 (Textbooks): The official curriculum authorized by Hanban.
Mock Tests: Use "Boke Chinese" or "HSK Online" apps for timed practice.
Pleco: Use the HSK 4 flashcard add-on to drill the 1,200 required words.
ChinesePod: Listen to "Intermediate" level lessons to get used to natural speech speeds.
If you are planning to take the exam soon, I can help you prepare more specifically.
Explain a specific grammar point (like the Ba construction)? Provide a list of the most common HSK 4 verbs?
The HSK 4 (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi Level 4) test consists of three main sections: The HSK 4 (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi 4) is
. It typically includes 100 questions and lasts about 105 minutes. Prep Education
Below is a mock test paper modeled after the standard HSK 4 format. Note that the
section requires audio, which is replaced here with written scripts for practice. Section I: Listening (听力)
Standard HSK 4 includes 45 items. For this mock, we include one example of each part. Part 1: True or False (10 items total)
Listen to a short passage and decide if the statement is true or false.
昨天我跟朋友去爬山了，山上的景色非常漂亮。虽然爬了两个小时很累，但我觉得很值得。 ★ 他昨天觉得很累，所以不开心。 ❌ (False - He thought it was worth it/worthwhile). Part 2: Multiple Choice Dialogue (15 items total) Listen to a short dialogue and answer the question. 男：你怎么买了这么多水果？ 女：超市今天打折，西瓜特别甜。 问：女的为什么买这么多水果？ A. 送朋友 B. 超市打折 C. 她喜欢吃 D. 朋友送的 Section II: Reading (阅读) Standard HSK 4 includes 40 items. Part 1: Fill in the Blanks (10 items total) Choose the correct word to fill in the blank. A. 压力 B. 安排 C. 竟然 D. 严格 E. 估计
老师对我们的要求非常（ ），但这对我们有好处。 我已经把下周的旅行（ ）好了。 这么难的数学题，你（ ）五分钟就做完了！ Part 2: Rearrange Sentences (10 items total) Arrange the sentences (A, B, C) in the correct order. A. 既然你已经决定了 B. 就应该努力把它做好 C. 不要总是怀疑自己 Section III: Writing (书写) Standard HSK 4 includes 15 tasks. Part 1: Rearrange the words to form a sentence (10 tasks) 7. 他 / 那个 / 消息 / 感到 / 让 / 难过 / 很 那个消息让他感到很难过。 合适 / 经理 / 觉得 / 这个 / 并不 / 计划 经理觉得这个计划并不合适。 Part 2: Write a sentence based on the picture (5 tasks) A person looking at a watch. 来得及 (to have enough time) Sample Answer: 火车快要开了，我们还来得及。 GlobalExam Answer Key & Explanations Explanation
Though he was tired (累), he said it was "worth it" (值得), implying he was happy.
The woman explicitly mentions the supermarket is having a sale (打折). (strict) fits the context of a teacher's requirements. (to arrange/arrangement) is used for travel plans.
(unexpectedly) expresses surprise at finishing a hard task quickly. Structure: "Since [A], then [B], don't [C]."
Sentence structure: Subject (That news) + Causative Verb (let) + Object (him) + Feeling (very sad).
Sentence structure: Subject (Manager) + Verb (feels) + Adverb (not) + Adjective (suitable). Official Practice Resources
To prepare with full-length past papers and audio files, you can access these official-style platforms: HSK Mock Official The only official platform for HSK practice. Mandarin Bean Offers free online mock tests for HSK 1-6. Panda Chinese Provides downloadable PDFs and audio for HSK 4 practice. Mandarin Bean for HSK 4 or focus on a specific grammar point like the "Ba" (把) sentence structure? HSK Test – Free Chinese Test online (All Levels)
HSK 4 * H41001 Listening. * H41002 Listening. * H41003 Listening. Mandarin Bean
Here’s a structured feature set for an HSK 4 Chinese test preparation tool, designed for learners aiming to pass or excel at the HSK 4 level (around 1,200 vocabulary words and advanced grammar patterns). English Translation Title: Xiao Wang's Health Plan In
Title: Xiao Wang's Health Plan
In the past, Xiao Wang was a person who didn't pay much attention to his body. He was busy with work every day and was under a lot of pressure. In order to finish his work, he often stayed up late; sometimes he didn't go to sleep until 2 AM. Due to a lack of exercise, his body became worse and worse, and getting colds and fevers was a common occurrence.
Last month, Xiao Wang suddenly fainted while at work. His colleagues hurriedly sent him to the hospital. The doctor told Xiao Wang that it was because he hadn't rested well for a long time that caused this problem. The doctor suggested he change his living habits, otherwise his body would become even worse.
From that day on, Xiao Wang decided to change himself. He made a health plan. First, no matter how busy his work was, he would eat on time and try his best not to eat fast food. Secondly, he persisted in running for half an hour every morning. At the beginning, he felt very tired and even thought about giving up, but he told himself he had to keep going.
One month later, the results were obvious. Not only did Xiao Wang lose 5 kilograms, but his energy was also much better than before. His friends all said he seemed like a different person. The current Xiao Wang deeply understands a truth: Health is the most important wealth; without a healthy body, nothing else can be discussed.
Because we type pinyin on phones, HSK 4 writing shocks many digital-age learners. You must physically draw 600-800 high-frequency characters from memory.
Strategy:
Tí mù: Xiǎo Wáng de Jiàn kāng Jì huà
Yǐ qián, Xiǎo Wáng shì yí gè bú tài zhù yì shēn tǐ de rén. Tā měi tiān gōng zuò dōu hěn máng, yā lì hěn dà. Wèi le wán chéng gōng zuò, tā jīng cháng áo yè, yǒu shí hou shèn zhì dào líng chén liǎng diǎn cái shuì jiào. Yóu yú quē fá yùn dòng, tā de shēn tǐ yuè lái yuè chà, gǎn mào fā shāo shì cháng yǒu de shì.
Shàng gè yuè, Xiǎo Wáng tū rán zài gōng zuò zhōng yūn dǎo le. Tóng shì men jí máng bǎ tā sòng dào le yī yuàn. Yī shēng gào su Xiǎo Wáng, shì yīn wèi tā cháng qī xiū xi bù hǎo, cái dǎo zhì le zhè cì de wèn tí. Yī shēng jiàn yì tā gǎi biàn shēng huó xí guàn, fǒu zé shēn tǐ huì biàn de gèng zāo.
Cóng nà tiān qǐ, Xiǎo Wáng jué dìng gǎi biàn zì jǐ. Tā zhì dìng le yí gè jiàn kāng jì huà. Shǒu xiān, wú lùn gōng zuò duō máng, tā dōu yào àn shí chī fàn, jǐn liàng bù chī kuài cān. Qí cì, tā jiān chí měi tiān zǎo shang pǎo bù bàn xiǎo shí. Gāng kāi shǐ de shí hou, tā jué de fēi cháng lèi, shèn zhì xiǎng guò fàng qì, dàn shì tā gào su zì jǐ bì xū jiān chí xià qù.
Yí gè yuè yǐ hòu, xiào guǒ hěn míng xiǎn. Xiǎo Wáng bú dàn shòu le wǔ gōng jīn, ér qiě jīng shen yě bǐ yǐ qián hǎo duō le. Péng you men dōu shuō tā xiàng biàn le yí gè rén shì de. Xiàn zài de Xiǎo Wáng shēn kè de míng bai le yí gè dào lǐ: Jiàn kāng cái shì zuì zhòng yào de cái fù, méi yǒu jiàn kāng de shēn tǐ, qí tā yí qiè dōu wú cóng tán qǐ.
Before diving into the tactics, let’s understand why this specific level matters.
In short, the Chinese test HSK 4 is not just an exam; it is a certification of functional bilingualism.