HSK 5 Vocabulary List

1298 words · B2 · Mandarin Chinese

HSK 5 is an advanced milestone: 1,298 words including sophisticated vocabulary for business, culture, academia, and nuanced expression. At this level you can read newspapers, write formal emails, and follow most native speech.

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At HSK 5 you need passive recognition and active production. When reviewing, cover the English and try to produce the Mandarin from the hanzi alone. Context sentences become essential - isolated vocabulary is harder to retain at this density.

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All 1298 HSK 5 words

Pinyin colour key: tone 1 (high flat), tone 2 (rising), tone 3 (dipping), tone 4 (falling), neutral/mixed.

正

zhèng

Positive

搞

gǎo

如何

rúhé

How

杀

shā

Kill

钟

zhōng

Bell

所

suǒ

The

棒

bàng

Stick

重

zhòng

Weight

根本

gēnběn

Fundamental

唯一

wéiyī

Unique

要是

yàoshì

提

tí

Mention

女士

nǚshì

Ms.

哈

hā

枪

qiāng

Gun

官

guān

Official

直

zhí

Straight

倒

dào

Inverted

滚

gǔn

Roll

兄弟

xiōngdì

Brothers

雷

léi

Mine

塔

tǎ

Tower

派

pài

Send

装

zhuāng

Dress

类

lèi

Class

节

jié

Festival

根

gēn

Root

紧

jǐn

Tight

斜

xié

Oblique

便

biàn

Then

控制

kòngzhì

Control

字幕

zìmù

Subtitle

保持

bǎochí

Keeping

救

jiù

Save

失去

shīqù

Lose

系

xì

System

布

bù

Cloth

则

zé

Then

拍

pāi

Beat

武器

wǔqì

Weapon

是否

shìfǒu

Whether

太太

tàitài

Wife

自由

zìyóu

Free

方

fāng

Square

克

kè

Gram

唉

āi

interjection or grunt of agreement or recognition

爱护

ài hù

to cherish

爱惜

ài xī

to cherish

爱心

ài xīn

compassion

安慰

ān wèi

to comfort

安装

ān zhuāng

to install

岸

àn

variant of 岸

把握

bǎ wò

to grasp

摆

bǎi

to arrange

班主任

bān zhǔ rèn

teacher in charge of a class

办理

bàn lǐ

to handle; to transact; to conduct

傍晚

bàng wǎn

in the evening

包裹

bāo guǒ

to wrap up

包含

bāo hán

to contain

包子

bāo zi

bao

薄

Bó

surname Bo

宝贝

bǎo bèi

treasured object

宝贵

bǎo guì

valuable

保存

bǎo cún

to conserve

保留

bǎo liú

to keep

保险

bǎo xiǎn

insurance

报告

bào gào

to inform

悲观

bēi guān

pessimistic

背

bēi

variant of 背

背景

bèi jǐng

background; backdrop; context

被子

bèi zi

quilt

本科

běn kē

undergraduate course

本领

běn lǐng

skill

本质

běn zhì

essence

比例

bǐ lì

proportion

比如

bǐ rú

for example

彼此

bǐ cǐ

each other; one another

必然

bì rán

inevitable

必需

bì xū

to need

必要

bì yào

necessary

毕竟

bì jìng

after all

避免

bì miǎn

to avert

编辑

biān jí

to edit

鞭炮

biān pào

firecrackers

辩论

biàn lùn

debate

标点

biāo diǎn

punctuation

标志

biāo zhì

sign

表面

biǎo miàn

surface

表明

biǎo míng

to make clear

表情

biǎo qíng

expression

表现

biǎo xiàn

to show

丙

bǐng

third of the ten Heavenly Stems 干

病毒

bìng dú

virus

玻璃

bō li

glass

脖子

bó zi

neck

博物馆

bó wù guǎn

museum

补充

bǔ chōng

to replenish

不安

bù ān

unpeaceful

不必

bù bì

need not

不得了

bù dé liǎo

desperately serious

不断

bù duàn

unceasing

不好意思

bù hǎo yì si

to feel embarrassed

不见得

bù jiàn de

not necessarily

不免

bù miǎn

inevitably

不耐烦

bù nài fán

impatient

不然

bù rán

not so

不如

bù rú

not equal to

不要紧

bù yào jǐn

unimportant

不足

bù zú

insufficient

步骤

bù zhòu

procedure

部门

bù mén

department

财产

cái chǎn

property

采访

cǎi fǎng

to interview

采取

cǎi qǔ

to adopt or carry out

彩虹

cǎi hóng

rainbow

踩

cǎi

variant of 踩

参考

cān kǎo

consultation

参与

cān yù

to participate

餐厅

cān tīng

dining hall

残疾

cán jí

disabled

惭愧

cán kuì

ashamed

操场

cāo chǎng

playground

操心

cāo xīn

to worry about

册

cè

book

厕所

cè suǒ

toilet

测验

cè yàn

test

曾经

céng jīng

once

叉子

chā zi

fork

插

chā

to insert

差别

chā bié

difference; distinction; disparity

拆

chāi

to tear open

产品

chǎn pǐn

goods

产生

chǎn shēng

to arise; to come into being; to come about

常识

cháng shí

common sense

抄

chāo

to make a copy

朝

Cháo

abbr. for 朝鲜 Korea

朝代

cháo dài

dynasty

吵架

chǎo jià

to quarrel

炒

chǎo

to sauté

车库

chē kù

garage

车厢

chē xiāng

carriage

彻底

chè dǐ

thorough

沉默

chén mò

taciturn

趁

chèn

to avail oneself of

称呼

chēng hu

to call; to address as

称赞

chēng zàn

to praise

成分

chéng fèn

composition; ingredient; element; component

成果

chéng guǒ

result

成就

chéng jiù

accomplishment

成立

chéng lì

to establish

成语

chéng yǔ

Chinese set expression, typically of 4 character…

成长

chéng zhǎng

to mature

承担

chéng dān

to undertake

承认

chéng rèn

to admit

承受

chéng shòu

to bear

诚恳

chéng kěn

sincere

乘

Chéng

surname Cheng

程度

chéng dù

degree; level; extent

程序

chéng xù

procedures

吃亏

chī kuī

to suffer losses

池子

chí zi

pond

持续

chí xù

to continue

尺子

chǐ zi

ruler

翅膀

chì bǎng

wing

充电器

chōng diàn qì

battery charger

充分

chōng fèn

ample

充满

chōng mǎn

full of

冲

chōng

to dash against

宠物

chǒng wù

house pet

抽屉

chōu ti

drawer

抽象

chōu xiàng

abstract

丑

Chǒu

surname Chou

臭

chòu

stench

出版

chū bǎn

to publish

出口

chū kǒu

an exit

出色

chū sè

remarkable; outstanding

出席

chū xí

to attend

初级

chū jí

junior

除

chú

to get rid of

除非

chú fēi

only if

除夕

Chú xī

lunar New Year's Eve

处理

chǔ lǐ

to handle; to deal with

传播

chuán bō

to disseminate; to propagate; to spread

传递

chuán dì

to transmit; to pass on to sb else

传染

chuán rǎn

to infect

传说

chuán shuō

legend; folk tale

传统

chuán tǒng

tradition

窗帘

chuāng lián

window curtains

闯

chuǎng

to rush

创造

chuàng zào

to create

吹

chuī

to blow

辞职

cí zhí

to resign

磁带

cí dài

magnetic tape

此外

cǐ wài

besides

次要

cì yào

secondary

刺激

cì jī

to provoke; to irritate; to upset; to stimulate;…

匆忙

cōng máng

hasty

从此

cóng cǐ

from now on

从而

cóng ér

thus

从前

cóng qián

previously

从事

cóng shì

to go for

促进

cù jìn

to promote

促使

cù shǐ

to induce

醋

cù

vinegar

催

cuī

to urge

存

cún

to exist

存在

cún zài

to exist

措施

cuò shī

measure

错误

cuò wù

mistaken; false; wrong

达到

dá dào

to reach; to achieve; to attain

答应

dā ying

to answer; to respond

打工

dǎ gōng

to work a temporary or casual job

打交道

dǎ jiāo dào

to come into contact with

打喷嚏

dǎ pēn tì

to sneeze

打听

dǎ ting

to ask about

打招呼

dǎ zhāo hu

to greet sb by word or action

大方

dà fāng

expert

大象

dà xiàng

elephant

大型

dà xíng

large

呆

dāi

foolish

待遇

dài yù

treatment

贷款

dài kuǎn

a loan

单纯

dān chún

simple

单调

dān diào

monotonous

单独

dān dú

alone

单位

dān wèi

unit

单元

dān yuán

unit

担任

dān rèn

to hold a governmental office or post

耽误

dān wu

to delay

胆小鬼

dǎn xiǎo guǐ

coward

淡

dàn

insipid

当代

dāng dài

the present age

挡

dǎng

to resist

导演

dǎo yǎn

to direct

导致

dǎo zhì

to lead to

岛

dǎo

variant of 岛

到达

dào dá

to reach; to arrive

倒霉

dǎo méi

to have bad luck

道德

dào dé

virtue

道理

dào li

reason

地道

dì dào

tunnel

地理

dì lǐ

geography

地区

dì qū

local

地毯

dì tǎn

carpet

地位

dì wèi

position

地震

dì zhèn

earthquake

的确

dí què

really

登机牌

dēng jī pái

boarding pass

登记

dēng jì

to register

等待

děng dài

to wait; to wait for

等候

děng hòu

to wait

等于

děng yú

to equal

滴

dī

a drop

敌人

dí rén

enemy

递

dì

to hand over; to pass on; to deliver

点头

diǎn tóu

to nod

点心

diǎn xin

light refreshments

电池

diàn chí

battery

电台

diàn tái

transmitter-receiver

钓

diào

to fish with a hook and bait

调皮

tiáo pí

naughty

调整

tiáo zhěng

to adjust

丁

Dīng

surname Ding

顶

dǐng

apex

动画片

dòng huà piàn

animated film

冻

dòng

to freeze

洞

dòng

cave

豆腐

dòu fu

tofu

逗

dòu

to tease ; to entice

独立

dú lì

independent

独特

dú tè

unique; distinctive

度过

dù guò

to pass

短信

duǎn xìn

text message

堆

duī

to pile up

对比

duì bǐ

to contrast

对待

duì dài

to treat

对方

duì fāng

the other person; the other side; the other party

对手

duì shǒu

opponent

对象

duì xiàng

target; object

对于

duì yú

regarding; as far as is concerned; with regard to

吨

dūn

ton

蹲

dūn

to crouch

多亏

duō kuī

thanks to

多余

duō yú

superfluous

躲藏

duǒ cáng

to conceal oneself

恶劣

è liè

vile

发表

fā biǎo

to issue

发愁

fā chóu

to worry

发达

fā dá

well-developed; flourishing

发抖

fā dǒu

to tremble

发挥

fā huī

to display

发明

fā míng

to invent

发票

fā piào

invoice

发言

fā yán

to make a speech

罚款

fá kuǎn

to fine

法院

fǎ yuàn

court of law

翻

fān

to turn over

凡是

fán shì

each and every

繁荣

fán róng

prosperous; booming

反而

fǎn ér

on the contrary; instead

反复

fǎn fù

variant of 反复

反应

fǎn yìng

to react

反正

fǎn zhèng

anyway

方案

fāng àn

plan

方式

fāng shì

way; manner; style; mode; pattern

妨碍

fáng ài

to hinder

房东

fáng dōng

landlord

仿佛

fǎng fú

variant of 仿佛

放松

fàng sōng

to relax; to slacken; to loosen

非

Fēi

abbr. for 洲, Africa

肥皂

féi zào

soap

废话

fèi huà

nonsense

肺

fèi

lung

费用

fèi yòng

cost

分别

fēn bié

to part; to leave each other

分布

fēn bù

to scatter

分配

fēn pèi

to distribute

分析

fēn xī

to analyze

纷纷

fēn fēn

one after another

奋斗

fèn dòu

to strive; to struggle

愤怒

fèn nù

angry

风格

fēng gé

style

风俗

fēng sú

social custom

风险

fēng xiǎn

risk; hazard

疯狂

fēng kuáng

crazy; frenzied; wild

讽刺

fěng cì

to satirize

否定

fǒu dìng

to negate

否认

fǒu rèn

to declare to be untrue

扶

fú

to support with the hand

服从

fú cóng

to obey

服装

fú zhuāng

dress

幅

fú

width

辅导

fǔ dǎo

to give guidance

付款

fù kuǎn

to pay a sum of money

妇女

fù nǚ

woman

复制

fù zhì

to duplicate

改革

gǎi gé

reform

改进

gǎi jìn

to improve; to make better

改善

gǎi shàn

to make better; to improve

改正

gǎi zhèng

to correct

盖

Gě

surname Ge

概括

gài kuò

to summarize; to generalize

概念

gài niàn

concept

赶紧

gǎn jǐn

hurriedly

赶快

gǎn kuài

quickly; at once

感激

gǎn jī

to be grateful

感受

gǎn shòu

to sense

感想

gǎn xiǎng

impressions

干脆

gān cuì

candid

干活儿

gàn huó r

erhua variant of 干活

钢铁

gāng tiě

steel

高档

gāo dàng

superior quality

高速

gāo sù

high speed

告别

gào bié

to leave; to part from

胳膊

gē bo

arm

鸽子

gē zi

pigeon

革命

gé mìng

to withdraw the mandate of heaven

格外

gé wài

especially

隔壁

gé bì

next door

个别

gè bié

individually; one by one

个人

gè rén

individual

个性

gè xìng

individuality

各自

gè zì

each

更加

gèng jiā

工厂

gōng chǎng

factory

工程师

gōng chéng shī

engineer

工人

gōng rén

worker

工业

gōng yè

industry

公布

gōng bù

to announce

公开

gōng kāi

open; overt; public

公平

gōng píng

fair

公寓

gōng yù

apartment building

公元

gōng yuán

公主

gōng zhǔ

princess

功夫

gōng fu

skill

功能

gōng néng

function; capability

贡献

gòng xiàn

to contribute

沟通

gōu tōng

to join; to connect; to link up

构成

gòu chéng

to constitute

姑姑

gū gu

paternal aunt

姑娘

gū niang

girl

古代

gǔ dài

ancient times

古典

gǔ diǎn

classical

古老

gǔ lǎo

ancient

股票

gǔ piào

share certificate

骨头

gǔ tou

bone

鼓舞

gǔ wǔ

heartening

固定

gù dìng

to fix

固体

gù tǐ

solid

雇佣

gù yōng

to employ

挂号

guà hào

to register

乖

guāi

obedient, well-behaved

拐弯

guǎi wān

to go round a curve

怪不得

guài bu de

no wonder!

关闭

guān bì

to close; to shut

关怀

guān huái

care

观察

guān chá

to observe; to watch; to survey

观点

guān diǎn

point of view

观念

guān niàn

notion

冠军

guàn jūn

champion

管子

Guǎn zǐ

Guanzi or Guan Zhong 管仲 , famous politician of Q…

罐头

guàn tou

tin

光滑

guāng huá

glossy; sleek; smooth

光临

guāng lín

to honor with one's presence

光明

guāng míng

light

光盘

guāng pán

compact disc ; DVD; CD-ROM

光荣

guāng róng

honor and glory

广场

guǎng chǎng

public square; plaza

广大

guǎng dà

vast or extensive

广泛

guǎng fàn

extensive

规矩

guī ju

lit. compass and set square

规律

guī lǜ

rule

规模

guī mó

scale

规则

guī zé

rule

柜台

guì tái

variant of 柜台

锅

guō

pot; pan; wok; cauldron

国籍

guó jí

nationality

国庆节

Guó qìng jié

PRC National Day

果实

guǒ shí

fruit

过分

guò fèn

excessive

过敏

guò mǐn

oversensitive

过期

guò qī

to be overdue

海关

hǎi guān

customs

海鲜

hǎi xiān

seafood

喊

hǎn

to yell

豪华

háo huá

luxurious

好奇

hào qí

inquisitive

合法

hé fǎ

lawful

合理

hé lǐ

rational; reasonable; sensible; fair

合同

hé tong

contract

合影

hé yǐng

to take a joint photo

合作

hé zuò

to cooperate

何必

hé bì

there is no need

何况

hé kuàng

let alone

和平

Hé píng

Heping District of Shenyang city 沈阳市, Liaoning

核心

hé xīn

core; nucleus

恨

hèn

to hate

横

héng

horizontal

后果

hòu guǒ

consequences

呼吸

hū xī

to breathe

忽视

hū shì

to neglect; to overlook; to disregard; to ignore

胡说

hú shuō

to talk nonsense

胡同

hú tòng

lane

胡须

hú xū

beard

壶

hú

pot

蝴蝶

hú dié

butterfly

糊涂

hú tu

muddled

花生

huā shēng

peanut

华裔

Huá yì

ethnic Chinese

滑冰

huá bīng

to skate

化学

huà xué

chemistry

划船

huá chuán

to row a boat

话题

huà tí

subject

怀念

huái niàn

to cherish the memory of

缓解

huǎn jiě

to bring relief

幻想

huàn xiǎng

delusion

慌张

huāng zhāng

flustered

皇帝

huáng dì

emperor

皇后

huáng hòu

empress

黄瓜

huáng guā

cucumber

黄金

huáng jīn

gold

灰

huī

ash

灰尘

huī chén

dust

灰心

huī xīn

to lose heart

恢复

huī fù

to reinstate

挥

huī

to wave

汇率

huì lǜ

exchange rate

会计

kuài jì

accountant

婚礼

hūn lǐ

wedding ceremony

婚姻

hūn yīn

matrimony

活跃

huó yuè

active

火柴

huǒ chái

match

伙伴

huǒ bàn

partner

机器

jī qì

machine

肌肉

jī ròu

muscle

基本

jī běn

basic

激烈

jī liè

intense

及格

jí gé

to pass an exam or a test

急忙

jí máng

hastily

集体

jí tǐ

collective

集中

jí zhōng

to concentrate

计算

jì suàn

to count

记录

jì lù

to record

记忆

jì yì

to remember

纪录

jì lù

variant of 记录

纪律

jì lǜ

discipline

纪念

jì niàn

to commemorate; to honor the memory of

寂寞

jì mò

lonely

夹子

jiā zi

clip

家庭

jiā tíng

family

家务

jiā wù

household duties

家乡

jiā xiāng

hometown

嘉宾

jiā bīn

esteemed guest

甲

jiǎ

first of the ten Heavenly Stems 干

假如

jiǎ rú

假装

jiǎ zhuāng

to feign

价值

jià zhí

value

驾驶

jià shǐ

to pilot

嫁

jià

to marry

尖锐

jiān ruì

sharp

坚决

jiān jué

firm; resolute; determined

坚强

jiān qiáng

staunch

肩膀

jiān bǎng

shoulder

艰巨

jiān jù

arduous

艰苦

jiān kǔ

difficult

煎

jiān

to pan fry

捡

jiǎn

to pick up

剪刀

jiǎn dāo

scissors

简历

jiǎn lì

curriculum vitae

简直

jiǎn zhí

simply; really

建立

jiàn lì

to establish

建设

jiàn shè

to build; to construct; to establish; to develop…

建议

jiàn yì

to propose; to suggest; to recommend

建筑

jiàn zhù

to construct

健身房

jiàn shēn fáng

gym

键盘

jiàn pán

keyboard

讲究

jiǎng jiu

to pay particular attention to

讲座

jiǎng zuò

a course of lectures

降落

jiàng luò

to descend

酱油

jiàng yóu

soy sauce

交换

jiāo huàn

to exchange

交际

jiāo jì

communication

郊区

jiāo qū

suburban district

浇

jiāo

to pour liquid

胶水

jiāo shuǐ

glue

角度

jiǎo dù

angle

角色

jué sè

role

狡猾

jiǎo huá

crafty; cunning; sly

教材

jiào cái

teaching material

教练

jiào liàn

instructor

教训

jiào xun

to provide guidance

阶段

jiē duàn

stage

接触

jiē chù

to touch

接待

jiē dài

to receive

接近

jiē jìn

to approach

接着

jiē zhe

to catch and hold on

节省

jié shěng

saving

结构

jié gòu

structure

结合

jié hé

to combine

结论

jié lùn

conclusion

结实

jiē shí

to bear fruit

结账

jié zhàng

to pay the bill

解放

jiě fàng

to liberate

解说员

jiě shuō yuán

commentator

戒烟

jiè yān

to give up smoking

戒指

jiè zhi

ring

届

jiè

to arrive at

借口

jiè kǒu

to use as an excuse

金属

jīn shǔ

metal

尽力

jìn lì

to strive one's hardest

尽量

jǐn liàng

as much as possible

紧急

jǐn jí

urgent

谨慎

jǐn shèn

cautious

近代

jìn dài

the not-very-distant past

进步

jìn bù

progress; improvement

进口

jìn kǒu

to import

经典

jīng diǎn

the classics

经营

jīng yíng

to engage in ; to run; to operate

精力

jīng lì

energy

景色

jǐng sè

scenery

敬爱

jìng ài

to respect and love; to hold in high esteem

酒吧

jiǔ bā

bar

救护车

jiù hù chē

ambulance

舅舅

jiù jiu

mother's brother

居然

jū rán

unexpectedly

桔子

jú zi

tangerine

举

jǔ

variant of 举

巨大

jù dà

huge

具备

jù bèi

to possess

具体

jù tǐ

concrete

俱乐部

jù lè bù

club

据说

jù shuō

it is said that; reportedly

聚会

jù huì

party

捐

juān

to relinquish; to abandon

卷

juǎn

to roll up

决赛

jué sài

finals

决心

jué xīn

determination

绝对

jué duì

absolute

军事

jūn shì

military affairs

均匀

jūn yún

even

卡车

kǎ chē

truck

开发

kāi fā

to exploit

开放

kāi fàng

to bloom

开幕式

kāi mù shì

opening ceremony

开心

kāi xīn

to feel happy

砍

kǎn

to chop

看不起

kàn bu qǐ

to look down upon

看来

kàn lai

apparently

抗议

kàng yì

to protest

烤鸭

kǎo yā

roast duck

颗

kē

classifier for small spheres, pearls, corn grain…

可见

kě jiàn

it can clearly be seen

可靠

kě kào

reliable

可怕

kě pà

awful

克服

kè fú

to conquer

刻苦

kè kǔ

hardworking

客观

kè guān

objective

客厅

kè tīng

drawing room

课程

kè chéng

course

空间

kōng jiān

space; room

空闲

kòng xián

idle

恐怖

kǒng bù

terrible

口味

kǒu wèi

a person's preferences

夸

kuā

used in 克

矿泉水

kuàng quán shuǐ

mineral water

蜡烛

là zhú

candle

辣椒

là jiāo

hot pepper

来自

lái zì

to come from

拦

lán

to block sb's path

烂

làn

soft; mushy

狼

láng

wolf

劳动

láo dòng

work

劳驾

láo jià

excuse me

老百姓

lǎo bǎi xìng

ordinary people

老板

lǎo bǎn

variant of 老板

老实

lǎo shi

honest; sincere

老鼠

lǎo shǔ

rat

姥姥

lǎo lao

mother's mother

乐观

lè guān

optimistic

了不起

liǎo bu qǐ

amazing

厘米

lí mǐ

centimeter

离婚

lí hūn

to divorce

梨

lí

pear

礼拜天

Lǐ bài tiān

Sunday

理论

lǐ lùn

theory

理由

lǐ yóu

reason

力量

lì liang

power

立方

lì fāng

cube

立即

lì jí

immediately

立刻

lì kè

forthwith

利润

lì rùn

profits

利息

lì xī

interest

利益

lì yì

benefit

利用

lì yòng

to exploit

粒

lì

grain

连忙

lián máng

promptly

连续剧

lián xù jù

serialized drama

联合

lián hé

to combine

恋爱

liàn ài

love

良好

liáng hǎo

good

粮食

liáng shi

foodstuff

临时

lín shí

as the time draws near

灵活

líng huó

flexible

铃

líng

bell

零件

líng jiàn

part

零钱

líng qián

change

零食

líng shí

between-meal nibbles

领导

lǐng dǎo

lead

领域

lǐng yù

domain

浏览

liú lǎn

to skim over

流传

liú chuán

to spread

龙

Lóng

surname Long

漏

lòu

to leak

陆地

lù dì

dry land

陆续

lù xù

in turn

录取

lù qǔ

to accept an applicant who passes an entrance e…

录音

lù yīn

to record

露

Lù

surname Lu

轮流

lún liú

to alternate; to take turns

论文

lùn wén

paper

逻辑

luó ji

logic

落后

luò hòu

to fall behind

骂

mà

to scold

麦克风

mài kè fēng

microphone

馒头

mán tou

steamed roll

满足

mǎn zú

to satisfy

毛

Máo

surname Mao

毛病

máo bìng

fault

矛盾

máo dùn

contradiction

冒险

mào xiǎn

to take risks

贸易

mào yì

trade

眉毛

méi mao

eyebrow

煤炭

méi tàn

coal

美术

měi shù

art

魅力

mèi lì

charm

迷路

mí lù

to lose the way

谜语

mí yǔ

riddle

秘密

mì mì

secret; private; confidential; clandestine

秘书

mì shū

secretary

密切

mì qiè

蜜蜂

mì fēng

bee

棉花

mián hua

cotton

面对

miàn duì

to face; to confront

面积

miàn jī

area

面临

miàn lín

to face sth; to be confronted with

苗条

miáo tiao

slim

描写

miáo xiě

to describe

秒

miǎo

second

民主

mín zhǔ

democracy

名牌

míng pái

famous brand

名片

míng piàn

card

名胜

míng shèng

a place famous for its scenery or historical rel…

明确

míng què

clear-cut; definite; explicit

明显

míng xiǎn

clear

明信片

míng xìn piàn

postcard

明星

míng xīng

star; celebrity

命令

mìng lìng

order

命运

mìng yùn

fate; destiny

摸

mō

to feel with the hand

模仿

mó fǎng

to imitate

模糊

mó hu

vague

摩托车

mó tuō chē

motorbike; motorcycle

陌生

mò shēng

strange

某

mǒu

some

木头

mù tou

slow-witted

目标

mù biāo

target

mù lù

catalog

目前

mù qián

at the present time

哪怕

nǎ pà

even

难怪

nán guài

no wonder

难看

nán kàn

ugly

脑袋

nǎo dai

head

内科

nèi kē

internal medicine; general medicine

嫩

nèn

young and tender

能干

néng gàn

capable

能源

néng yuán

energy

年代

nián dài

a decade of a century

年纪

nián jì

age

念

niàn

variant of 念, to read aloud

宁可

nìng kě

preferably

牛仔裤

niú zǎi kù

jeans

农民

nóng mín

peasant

农业

nóng yè

agriculture

浓

nóng

concentrated

偶然

ǒu rán

incidentally

排队

pái duì

to line up

排球

pái qiú

volleyball

盼望

pàn wàng

to hope for; to look forward to

培养

péi yǎng

to cultivate

赔偿

péi cháng

to compensate

佩服

pèi fú

to admire

配合

pèi hé

matching

盆

pén

basin

碰见

pèng jiàn

to run into

批

pī

to ascertain

批准

pī zhǔn

to approve; to ratify

披

pī

to drape over one's shoulders

皮鞋

pí xié

leather shoes

疲劳

pí láo

fatigue

匹

pī

mate

片

piān

disk

片面

piàn miàn

unilateral

飘

piāo

variant of 飘

频道

pín dào

frequency

品种

pǐn zhǒng

breed

平

Píng

surname Ping

平常

píng cháng

ordinary

平等

píng děng

equal

平方

píng fāng

square

平衡

píng héng

balance

平静

píng jìng

tranquil

平均

píng jūn

average; on average

评价

píng jià

to evaluate

凭

píng

variant of 凭

迫切

pò qiè

urgent; pressing

破产

pò chǎn

to go bankrupt

破坏

pò huài

destruction

朴素

pǔ sù

plain and simple

期待

qī dài

to look forward to

期间

qī jiān

period of time

其余

qí yú

the rest

奇迹

qí jì

miracle

企图

qǐ tú

to attempt

企业

qǐ yè

company; firm; enterprise; corporation

启发

qǐ fā

to enlighten

气氛

qì fēn

atmosphere; mood

汽油

qì yóu

gasoline

牵

qiān

to lead along

谦虚

qiān xū

modest

签字

qiān zì

to sign

前途

qián tú

prospects

浅

jiān

sound of moving water

欠

qiàn

to owe

强调

qiáng diào

to emphasize

强烈

qiáng liè

strong; intense

抢

qiāng

opposite in direction; contrary

悄悄

qiāo qiāo

quiet; making little or no noise

瞧

qiáo

to look at

巧妙

qiǎo miào

ingenious; clever

切

qiē

to cut; to slice; to carve

亲爱

qīn ài

dear

亲切

qīn qiè

amiable

亲自

qīn zì

personally

侵略

qīn lu:è

to invade

勤奋

qín fèn

hardworking

勤劳

qín láo

hardworking

青

Qīng

abbr. for 海, Qinghai Province

青春

qīng chūn

youth

青少年

qīng shào nián

adolescent

轻视

qīng shì

contempt

清淡

qīng dàn

light

情景

qíng jǐng

scene

情绪

qíng xù

mood

请求

qǐng qiú

to request; to ask

庆祝

qìng zhù

to celebrate

球迷

qiú mí

fan

趋势

qū shì

trend; tendency

取消

qǔ xiāo

to cancel

娶

qǔ

to take a wife

去世

qù shì

to pass away

圈

juān

to confine

全面

quán miàn

all-around

权力

quán lì

power

权利

quán lì

right

劝

quàn

to advise

缺乏

quē fá

to lack; to be short of

确定

què dìng

definite

确认

què rèn

to confirm

燃烧

rán shāo

to ignite

嚷

rǎng

to shout

绕

rào

to wind

热爱

rè ài

to love ardently

热烈

rè liè

enthusiastic

热心

rè xīn

enthusiastic; ardent; zealous

人才

rén cái

talent

人口

rén kǒu

population

人类

rén lèi

humanity

人生

rén shēng

life

人事

rén shì

personnel

人物

rén wù

person; personage; figure

人员

rén yuán

staff

忍不住

rěn bu zhù

cannot help

日常

rì cháng

day-to-day; daily; everyday

日程

rì chéng

schedule

日历

rì lì

calendar

日期

rì qī

date

日用品

rì yòng pǐn

articles for daily use

荣幸

róng xìng

honored

荣誉

róng yù

honor

融化

róng huà

to melt

如今

rú jīn

nowadays

软件

ruǎn jiàn

software

弱

ruò

weak; feeble

洒

sǎ

to sprinkle

嗓子

sǎng zi

throat

沙漠

shā mò

desert

沙滩

shā tān

beach

傻

shǎ

foolish

晒

shài

variant of 晒

删除

shān chú

to delete

闪电

shǎn diàn

lightning

扇子

shàn zi

fan

善良

shàn liáng

good and honest

善于

shàn yú

to be good at; to be adept at

商品

shāng pǐn

commodity

商业

shāng yè

business

上当

shàng dàng

taken in

勺子

sháo zi

scoop

舌头

shé tou

tongue

蛇

shé

variant of 蛇

舍不得

shě bu de

to hate to do sth

设备

shè bèi

equipment; facilities; installations

设计

shè jì

to design; to plan

设施

shè shī

facilities

射击

shè jī

to shoot

摄影

shè yǐng

to take a photograph

伸

shēn

to stretch

身材

shēn cái

stature

身份

shēn fèn

identity

深刻

shēn kè

profound

神话

shén huà

legend

神经

shén jīng

nerve

神秘

shén mì

mysterious

升

shēng

to ascend

生产

shēng chǎn

to produce; to manufacture

生动

shēng dòng

vivid

声调

shēng diào

tone

绳子

shéng zi

cord; string; rope

省略

shěng lu:è

to leave out

胜利

shèng lì

victory

失眠

shī mián

to suffer from insomnia

失业

shī yè

unemployment

诗

Shī

abbr. for Shijing 诗经, the Book of Songs

石头

shí tou

stone

时代

Shí dài

Time, US weekly news magazine

时刻

shí kè

time

时髦

shí máo

in vogue

时期

shí qī

period

时尚

shí shàng

fashion

实话

shí huà

truth

实践

shí jiàn

practice

实习

shí xí

to practice

实现

shí xiàn

to achieve

实行

shí xíng

to implement

实验

shí yàn

experiment

实用

shí yòng

practical

食物

shí wù

food

使劲儿

shǐ jìn r

erhua variant of 使劲

始终

shǐ zhōng

from beginning to end

士兵

shì bīng

soldier

似的

shì de

seems as if

似乎

sì hū

it seems; seemingly; as if

事实

shì shí

fact

事物

shì wù

thing; object

事先

shì xiān

in advance

试卷

shì juàn

examination paper

收获

shōu huò

variant of 收获

收据

shōu jù

receipt

手工

shǒu gōng

handwork

手术

shǒu shù

operation

手套

shǒu tào

glove

手续

shǒu xù

procedure

手指

shǒu zhǐ

finger

寿命

shòu mìng

life span

受伤

shòu shāng

to sustain injuries

书架

shū jià

bookshelf

梳子

shū zi

comb

舒适

shū shì

cozy

输入

shū rù

to import

蔬菜

shū cài

vegetables

熟练

shú liàn

practiced

属于

shǔ yú

to be classified as

鼠标

shǔ biāo

mouse

数据

shù jù

data

数码

shù mǎ

number

摔

shuāi

to throw down

甩

shuǎi

to throw

双方

shuāng fāng

bilateral

税

shuì

taxes

说不定

shuō bu dìng

can't say for sure

说服

shuō fú

to persuade

丝绸

sī chóu

silk cloth

丝毫

sī háo

the slightest amount or degree

私人

sī rén

private

思考

sī kǎo

to reflect on

思想

sī xiǎng

thought

撕

sī

to tear

寺庙

sì miào

temple

宿舍

sù shè

dormitory

随时

suí shí

at any time; at all times

碎

suì

to break into pieces; to shatter; to crumble

损失

sǔn shī

loss

缩短

suō duǎn

to curtail

缩小

suō xiǎo

to reduce

所谓

suǒ wèi

so-called

锁

suǒ

to lock; to lock up

台阶

tái jiē

steps

太极拳

tài jí quán

shadowboxing or Taiji, T'aichi or T'aichichuan

谈判

tán pàn

to negotiate

坦率

tǎn shuài

frank

烫

tàng

to scald

逃

táo

to escape

逃避

táo bì

to escape

桃

táo

peach

套

tào

to cover

特殊

tè shū

special

特意

tè yì

specially

特征

tè zhēng

characteristic

疼爱

téng ài

to love dearly

提倡

tí chàng

to promote

提纲

tí gāng

outline

提问

tí wèn

to question; to quiz; to grill

题目

tí mù

subject

体会

tǐ huì

to know from experience

体积

tǐ jī

volume

体贴

tǐ tiē

considerate

体现

tǐ xiàn

to embody

体验

tǐ yàn

to experience for oneself

天空

tiān kōng

sky

天真

tiān zhēn

naive

田野

tián yě

field

挑战

tiǎo zhàn

to challenge

通常

tōng cháng

regular

通讯

tōng xùn

communications

同时

tóng shí

at the same time

铜

tóng

copper

统一

tǒng yī

to unify; to integrate

统治

tǒng zhì

to rule

痛苦

tòng kǔ

pain

痛快

tòng kuài

delighted

投资

tóu zī

investment

透明

tòu míng

transparent

突出

tū chū

prominent

土地

tǔ dì

land

土豆

tǔ dòu

potato

吐

tǔ

to spit

兔子

tù zi

hare

团

tuán

round

推辞

tuī cí

to decline

推广

tuī guǎng

to extend

Frequently asked questions

What can I do with HSK 5 Mandarin?+

Read mainstream news, watch most TV without subtitles, write business emails, and hold extended conversations on diverse topics. HSK 5 is the threshold most Chinese universities require for foreign students.

How long does it take to reach HSK 5?+

Intensive learners typically reach HSK 5 after 2-3 years of dedicated study. Casual learners may take 4-5 years. Consistent daily practice is the biggest factor.

Are tones still important at HSK 5?+

Absolutely. Incorrect tones become more disruptive at advanced levels because the vocabulary is dense - a tone error in sophisticated conversation causes real confusion, not just a smile.

What is the HSK 5 exam format?+

The HSK 5 exam tests listening, reading, and writing across 100 questions. The exam vocabulary list has 2,500 words, of which ToneDeck's HSK 5 deck covers 1,298.

Other HSK vocabulary lists

Ready to train your Mandarin tones?

ToneDeck combines this vocabulary with audio drills, spaced repetition, and an ear-training quiz so you learn the sounds, not just the definitions.

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New to Mandarin tones? Read how to learn the four Mandarin tones or go back to the ToneDeck home page.