JUST RELEASED
December 2025 update: The official sample papers for the new HSK 4 are now public. Test format details below have been updated against the official 《新版HSK（1-6级）考试结构与样题示例》document.

Updated for HSK 3.0 syllabus · Effective July 1, 2026

HSK 4 in Six Numbers

2,000
cumulative
vocabulary
1,096
cumulative
characters (认读)
30
communicative
tasks
B2
CEFR
level
180
passing score
(of 300)
~100h
study time
from HSK 3

HSK 4 (汉语水平考试四级) is the Chinese Proficiency Test's intermediate-entry level — the credential that proves you can use Chinese as an independent user for everyday, academic, and professional life. This guide is the most comprehensive HSK 4 reference online, fully updated for the new HSK 3.0 syllabus taking effect on July 1, 2026.

📘 Source
406-page official syllabus
Published Nov 2025 by CLEC
🎓 Author
Mandarin Zone School
Beijing · Since 2008 · 5,000+ HSK students
✅ Pass rate
90% across all HSK levels
Students from 40+ countries

1. What Is HSK 4?

HSK 4 is the fourth level of the nine-level HSK 3.0 system, the official Chinese Proficiency Test administered by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (中外语言交流合作中心) under China's Ministry of Education. Passing HSK 4 places you in the intermediate band — the level at which you stop being a "basic user" and become an "independent user" of Mandarin Chinese.

Advanced (高等) · HSK 7–9 · CEFR C1–C2 · Single combined exam
Intermediate (中等) · HSK 6 · CEFR C1+
Intermediate (中等) · HSK 5 · CEFR C1
⭐ HSK 4 — Intermediate (中等) · CEFR B2 · You are here
Beginner (初等) · HSK 3 · CEFR B1
Beginner (初等) · HSK 2 · CEFR A2
Beginner (初等) · HSK 1 · CEFR A1

What HSK 4 means in practical terms

The new syllabus describes HSK 4 with one defining phrase: "有一定复杂度" ("with a certain level of complexity"). This phrase appears in every one of the 30 task descriptions and signals the central shift: at HSK 4 you must produce connected paragraphs, not isolated sentences.

🗣️
You can speak about
Daily life, work, education, hobbies, health, travel, Chinese culture — with multi-sentence depth, not just single phrases
📖
You can read
News headlines, social media posts, restaurant menus, signs, short articles, contracts at basic detail level
✍️
You can write
Coherent paragraphs about your experiences and opinions, simple business messages, short emails and notes
🎯
You can handle
Real-world tasks: deliveries, doctor visits, renting apartments, banking, asking for help, social etiquette

Who needs HSK 4?

🎓 University applicants
Minimum requirement for most STEM and engineering programs at top Chinese universities
💼 Foreign professionals
Demonstrates workplace-ready Chinese for jobs in China and Chinese companies abroad
📚 Serious learners
The natural milestone after HSK 3 — proves you've crossed from basic to functional Chinese

📌 What "HSK 3.0" actually means. HSK 3.0 is the informal name for the new HSK system first announced in 2021. The defining change: a move from knowledge-based testing (do you know this?) to task-based, communicative testing (can you do this?). The official syllabus document was finalized and published in November 2025, with mandatory rollout from July 1, 2026.

🎁 Free download · HSK 4 word list (2026)
All 1,000 new HSK 4 words · pinyin, English, topic-tagged · PDF + Excel
 Download free →

2. What's New in HSK 4 (2026)?

If you've studied for the old HSK 4 (the 1,200-word version that's been the standard since 2010), the changes under HSK 3.0 are significant. Here are the seven that matter most:

📈 BIGGEST CHANGE
+67% more vocabulary
From 1,200 to 2,000 cumulative words. The single biggest jump in the new syllabus.
🔤 NEW
441 recognition characters specified
For the first time, an explicit character list separates "read" from "handwrite" requirements.
🎯 NEW
30 explicit communicative tasks
Replaces vague "can-do" descriptions with measurable, testable performance targets.
📚 NEW
7 / 31 / 77 topic system
Three-tier topic hierarchy replaces loose theme groupings.
📝 NEW
Detailed grammar specification
Explicit lists of word classes, sentence patterns, complex sentences, and fixed frames.
🆙 HARDER
Paragraph-level output required
Every task contains the phrase 有一定复杂度 — "with a certain level of complexity."
🏛️ NEW
5 dedicated cultural tasks
Idioms, food culture, customs, landmarks, and historical figures now explicitly tested.
🆕 CONFIRMED DEC 2025
Test format restructured
100 → 70 questions · ~100 → ~85 min · writing now requires ≥80-character essay.

Confirmed test format changes (December 2025)

The official sample papers reveal that the test structure has changed substantially — not just the syllabus content. Here are the verified differences:

Section Old HSK 4 New HSK 4 (2026) Key difference
📻 Listening45 items · 3 parts32 items · 2 partsT/F removed; all 4-option MCQ
📖 Reading40 items · 3 parts32 items · 3 partsSentence ordering removed; paragraph completion added
✍️ Writing15 items · 2 parts6 items · 2 partsWord arrangement removed; ≥80-character essay added
Total100 items · ~100 min70 items · ~85 minFewer items, harder per item
⚡ Why this matters. Fewer questions doesn't mean an easier test — it means each question carries more weight, the simpler item types (T/F, sentence ordering, word arrangement) have been removed, and you now have to produce a real 80-character paragraph in writing. That's a complete vindication of the syllabus's "有一定复杂度" (paragraph-level complexity) requirement.
The single most important change

From sentences to paragraphs

⏪ OLD HSK 4 prompt
"Introduce yourself."
Expected output: 2–3 sentences
⏩ NEW HSK 4 prompt
"Give a connected, multi-sentence introduction with background, characteristics, and your reflection."
Expected output: 5–7 sentences with connectors

Word count of an expected response has roughly doubled. Sentence-level Chinese is no longer enough.

Should you take HSK 4 before or after July 2026?

✅ Take it BEFORE July 2026 if…
  • You're already close to passing the old HSK 4
  • You can sit a test in the next 6 months
  • You want abundant practice materials (the old format has 15+ years of past papers)
  • You only need the certificate — not preparing for HSK 5 next
📘 Prepare for the NEW format if…
  • You're at HSK 3 level or below today
  • You're starting from scratch in 2026
  • You plan to continue to HSK 5+ afterwards
  • You won't be ready to test before July 2026

Why the New HSK 4 Is Better Designed (Not Just Harder)

The vocabulary increase from 1,200 to 2,000 makes the new HSK 4 sound harder. But once you look at what changed at this specific level — not just how much — most learners find the new HSK 4 closer to real Chinese, not just a bigger word list.

🎯
From textbook drilling to real-life HSK 4 tasks
Old HSK 4: grammar drills and isolated sentence translation.
New HSK 4: 30 explicit task scenarios that match adult life — going on a business trip (出差), writing work emails, giving group reports, handling deliveries (快递), renting an apartment, dealing with healthcare appointments.
→ HSK 4 now tests Chinese you'll actually use the day you walk out of the test center.
📱
HSK 4 vocabulary updated for the modern world
Removed: outdated 2010-era textbook words.
Added at HSK 4 level: 扫码 (scan QR), 网购 (online shop), 互联网 (internet), 网页 (webpage), 网友 (online friend), 短信 (SMS), 文件 (file), 密码 (password), 支付 (pay), 购买 (purchase) — plus modern jobs vocabulary like 招聘 (hire), 面试 (interview), 加班 (overtime), 出差 (business trip).
→ Today's HSK 4 word list looks like today's life in China.
✍️
441 recognition characters — your handwriting load is halved
Old HSK 4: every new character had to be hand-written from memory — 600+ characters of handwriting drill alongside everything else.
New HSK 4: the 441 new characters are recognition characters (认读字) — read on sight, know meaning, but no requirement to handwrite from memory. Full unaided handwriting still happens in the writing section, but the volume of "must-handwrite" characters is roughly halved compared to the old level.
→ The pressure shifts to where it belongs — comprehension and production, not stroke order.
🎧
HSK 4 skills tested smarter (per Dec 2025 sample papers)
Listening: True/False removed — every question is now 4-option MCQ. New "long monologue + 2 questions" format requires real comprehension, not keyword matching.
Reading: sentence ordering removed; new paragraph completion section tests logic and inference, not literal reading.
Writing: word arrangement removed; new ≥80-character short essay requires real paragraph-level production.
→ Fewer questions (100 → 70), but each one tests higher-order skill.
⚠️ For old HSK 4 holders
"I already passed old HSK 4 — how much carries over?"

If you passed the old HSK 4, you might assume the new HSK 4 is "just a bit more vocabulary on top." Cross-referencing the two official word lists shows that's not how it works:

55%
Old HSK 4 → New HSK 4
vocabulary coverage
62%
Old HSK 4 → New HSK 3
(for context)

In other words: almost half of what's tested on the new HSK 4 wasn't on your old HSK 4 list at all — including most of the modern vocabulary, plus a paragraph-writing skill that didn't exist on the old test. Old HSK 4 holders typically need 40–60 hours of focused study to fill the gap. → See our level-by-level Gap Finder tool to check your exact coverage.

3. HSK 4 Vocabulary: 1,000 New Words / 2,000 Cumulative

The new HSK 4 syllabus introduces exactly 1,000 new words at this level, bringing the cumulative HSK 1–4 total to 2,000 words. Here's how that fits into the full nine-level system:

Cumulative vocabulary by level
HSK 1
300
HSK 2
500
HSK 3
1,000
⭐ HSK 4
2,000
HSK 5
3,600
HSK 6
5,400
HSK 7–9
11,000

Topic distribution of the 1,000 new HSK 4 words

The new vocabulary maps to the seven first-level topic domains. Here's a sample from each cluster — every word below has been independently verified to be on the official HSK 4 list (not HSK 3 carryover or HSK 5 advance):

🏠 Daily life & emotions
爱情 · 安排 · 抱歉 · 表扬 · 鼓励 · 感动 · 后悔 · 难受 · 浪漫 · 兴奋 · 失望 · 友谊
💼 Work & education
报名 · 毕业 · 招聘 · 面试 · 加班 · 奖学金 · 专业 · 教授 · 总结 · 出差 · 复印 · 任务
📱 Technology & economy
扫码 · 网购 · 互联网 · 网页 · 网友 · 网址 · 短信 · 文件 · 密码 · 价格 · 购买 · 支付
🌳 Nature & environment
污染 · 保护 · 节约 · 浪费 · 阳光 · 温度 · 风景 · 海洋 · 大自然 · 植物 · 森林 · 空气
🏛️ Society & culture
民族 · 民俗 · 古代 · 国籍 · 中外 · 庆祝 · 社会 · 法律 · 友好 · 礼貌 · 科技 · 国家
🩺 Health & medical
受伤 · 体重 · 心情 · 大夫 · 咳嗽 · 打针 · 危险 · 鼻子 · 头疼 · 检查 · 健康 · 失眠
🔗 Functional & abstract (the secret weapon)
尽管 · 既然 · 不仅 · 竟然 · 千万 · 难道 · 究竟 · 即使 · 无论 · 由于 · 因此 · 不过 · 然而
These are only ~5% of new vocabulary but account for most of the writing-section difficulty — each unlocks a complex sentence pattern.

Word-class distribution at HSK 4

Nouns 名词
~50%
 concrete + abstract
Verbs 动词
~30%
 incl. compound verbs
Adjectives 形容词
~10%
 emotional + evaluative
Adverbs 副词
~5%
 ⚠️ critical for writing
Function words
~5%
 prep, conj, particle
💡 Teacher's tip. Don't memorize all 1,000 words alphabetically. Group them by topic cluster (the 7 categories above) and learn each cluster alongside the corresponding tasks in Section 6. Vocabulary learned in context retains 3–4× better than vocabulary learned in isolation.

📥 Complete 1,000-word HSK 4 list (free)

Searchable, filterable by topic, with pinyin + English + part of speech. PDF, Excel, and printable flashcards.

Download HSK 4 Vocabulary Pack →

4. HSK 4 Chinese Characters: 441 Recognition Characters (认读字)

For the first time, the HSK 3.0 syllabus formally separates recognition characters (认读字 — characters you must read on sight) from writing characters (书写字 — characters you must handwrite from memory). At HSK 4, you must recognize 441 new characters, bringing your cumulative recognition total to 1,096.

HSK 1
246
cum. 246
HSK 2
125
cum. 371
HSK 3
284
cum. 655
⭐ HSK 4
441
cum. 1,096
HSK 5
431
cum. 1,527
HSK 6
413
cum. 1,940

What kind of characters are added at HSK 4?

The 441 new characters are mostly compound morphemes — characters that combine with already-known characters to form HSK 4 vocabulary. Many appeared as bound morphemes in earlier HSK levels but are now expected to be recognizable in any context, including unfamiliar compounds. Examples (every character below verified to be in the official 441):

🫀 Body parts
膊 鼻 肤 肚
✋ Action verbs
按 抱 擦 戴 推
💭 Abstract concepts
傲 诚 敢 烦
📡 Tech / modern life
播 博 镜
🌧️ Nature
江 云 森 林 浪
🔗 Bound morphemes
即 既 仍 之

Recognition vs writing — why this split halves your study load

The new HSK's separation of recognition characters (认读字) from writing characters (书写字) isn't just bureaucratic reorganization — it's a fundamental shift in how the test treats character-learning workload. Under the old HSK, every new character had to be hand-written from memory from day one. Under HSK 3.0, the burden is staggered: at lower levels you mainly need to recognize characters on sight, with handwriting tested only with pinyin assistance; full unaided handwriting and sentence/essay production come in at higher levels. This roughly halves the cognitive load at HSK 1–4 and frees up time for what beginners actually need: speaking and listening.

认读字 · Recognition
441 new at HSK 4
Read on sight · know pinyin · know meaning. Don't have to handwrite from memory.
书写字 · Handwriting
Combined cross-level list
Handwrite from memory in the writing section. Plan handwriting practice across multiple levels.
⚠️ Most underestimated section. Even at HSK 4, the writing section requires you to handwrite sentences — not type. Tablet-only learners consistently lose 15–25 points here. We recommend at least 30 minutes/week of pen-and-paper practice, even if your daily input is digital.

5. HSK 4 Grammar: The Complete Breakdown

The new HSK 4 grammar syllabus is organized into five major categories: word classes, phrases, fixed sentence frames, sentence components & special sentences, and complex sentences. The lists below reproduce the official 2025 syllabus exactly.

5.1
Word classes
词类
5.2
Phrases
短语
5.3
Fixed frames
固定格式
5.4
Special sentences
特殊句型
5.5
Complex sentences
复句 ★ key

5.1 Word Classes (词类) — New at HSK 4

Category Subtype New at HSK 4
Verb 动词Modal 能愿敢
Pronoun 代词Demonstrative 指示各、各位、各种、任何、此
Measure 量词Noun-measure 名量Dedicated: 打、袋、棵、台、幅
Borrowed: 脸、手、盒、屋子、桌子
Verb-measure 动量场、顿、趟
Adverb 副词
★ critical		Degree 程度十分、更加、稍、稍微、尤其、多么
Scope 范围共、全、光、仅、仅仅、至少
Time 时间按时、从来、赶紧、赶快、已、忽然、将、将要、从、本来
Frequency 频率重新、往往、偶尔、再次、老
Manner 方式故意、互相、相互
Connective 关联却
Modal 情态也许、恐怕
Tone 语气才、就、并、还、竟然、究竟、正好、到底、难道、千万、确实、只好、差(一)点儿
Preposition 介词Time / place自、当、由、随着、等
Agent / patient将、由、叫、让
Cause由于
Object / target对于、与
Basis / reference作为、按、按照
Conjunction 连词Word/phrase level并、而、与
Clause level此外、而、既然、甚至、不过、并且、不光、不仅、另外、要是、因此、由于、加上
Particle 助词Other等、者、之、就是
Interjection 叹词—啊、嗯

5.2 Phrases (短语)

Four-character patterns 四字格
数+形+量 → 一大堆
一A一B → 一前一后
无A无B → 无声无息
有A有B → 有说有笑
Fixed phrases 固定短语
来得及 / 来不及
有的是 · 说不定
不怎么
就是说 / 这就是说

5.3 Fixed Sentence Frames (固定格式) — All 18 Templates

Frame Meaning Example
一+量+比+一+量Each one more than the last天气一天比一天冷。
在……方面In the aspect of…在学习方面，他很努力。
够……的Quite / really X今天够冷的。
拿……来说Take… for example拿北京来说，冬天很冷。
再也不/没……Never again我再也不迟到了。
怎么都/也+不/没……No matter what, can't…我怎么也想不起来。
为了……而……In order to…他为了学中文而来到中国。
动词+一X是一XTry one and see问一个是一个。
(没)有什么(好)X的Nothing worth Xing没什么好说的。
X是X，Y是YX is X, Y is Y (separate)工作是工作，生活是生活。
X也得X，不X也得XHave to X regardless去也得去，不去也得去。
X就是了Just X (and that's it)你来就是了。
还X呢Hmph, calling yourself X?还老师呢，连这都不会！
你X你的吧You go ahead and X你说你的吧，我不听。
让/叫你X你就XIf told to X, then X让你来你就来。
X就X(点儿)吧If X, so be it贵就贵点儿吧。
说什么/怎么(着)也得XNo matter what, must X说什么也得帮你。
X是X (concessive)X is true, but…贵是贵，但是质量好。

★ Highlighted rows are colloquial frames often skipped in older HSK 4 textbooks but newly required by the 2025 syllabus.

5.4 Sentence Components & Special Sentences (句子成分 / 特殊句型)

Pattern Structure Example
Degree complement
程度补语2		Adj/psych verb + 死了 / 厉害累死了 · 疼得厉害
Possibility complement
可能补语2		Verb + 得/不 + 了去得了 · 去不了
Rhetorical question
反问句2		难道……吗？/ Question word as rhetoric难道你不知道吗？
把-sentence ★
"把"字句2 (4 patterns)		(1) S + 把 + O + V (+一/了) + V把书看了看
(2) S + 把 + O + V + 了把饭吃了
(3) S + 把 + O + V + 时/动量补语把这本书看了三遍
(4) S + 把 + O + 状语 + V把汤慢慢喝
Passive (informal)
被动句2		S + 叫/让 + O + V + other手机叫他拿走了
Pivotal (兼语句)
3 types		(1) Praise/blame: S + 表扬/批评 + O₁ + V + O₂老师表扬他认真
(2) Designation: S + 收/选 + O₁ + 做/当/为 + O₂大家选他当班长
(3) Causative: S + 使/让 + Pron + V phrase这件事使我感动
Comparison
比较句3		A 不如 B (+Adj)这个不如那个好
跟……相比跟去年相比，今年好多了
Double negation
双重否定句		For emphasis他不得不承认错了

5.5 Complex Sentences (复句) — The HSK 4 Core ★

This is the single most important grammar area at HSK 4. The new syllabus formally specifies 11 categories of complex sentences. Mastering these is what enables paragraph-level output.

Type Pattern(s) Example
1. Coordinate
并列复句		不是…而是… / 既…又/也… / 一方面…另一方面…他不是不想去，而是没时间。
2. Sequential
承接复句		首先…其次/然后… / …，于是…首先准备材料，然后开始做。
3. Progressive
递进复句		…甚至… / 不仅/不光…还/而且… / …并且… / 连…也/都，…更…他不仅会说中文，而且说得很好。
4. Choice
选择复句		不是…就是…不是你去，就是我去。
5. Concessive
转折复句		尽管…但是/可是… / …然而… / …不过… / X是X，就是/不过…尽管很累，但是他还是坚持。
6. Hypothetical
假设复句		…，否则… / 要是…就… / 要是…(就)…，否则…要是下雨，我们就不去了。
7. Conditional
条件复句		不管…都/也… / 无论…都/也…无论多难，我都要试试。
8. Causal
因果复句		既然…就… / (由于)…，因此…既然来了，就多待几天。
9. Purpose
目的复句		…，好…早点儿出发，好赶上火车。
10. Concessive-conditional
让步复句		即使…也… / 就是…也…即使失败了，我也不后悔。
11. Contracted
紧缩复句		No marker / 不…也…不去也行 · 累也不停

5.6 Special Expressions: Numbers (特殊表达法 — 数的表示法)

Approximation (numeral + 来)
数词+来+量词
Example: 三十来个 (about 30)
Approximation (markers)
大约 / 左右 / 前后
Example: 二十岁左右
Decimals / fractions / % / multiples
三分之一 · 百分之八十
三倍 · 0.5 (零点五)
⚡ Two grammar areas where HSK 4 students lose the most points
1. 把-sentences: students forget the result complement. Never write "我把书看" — must be "我把书看完了".
2. Mismatched connector pairs: 虽然+所以 is wrong. Each pair (虽然…但是, 不仅…而且) is fixed — learn as one unit.

6. The 30 Communicative Tasks

The defining feature of HSK 3.0 is the move from "knowledge" to "tasks." The new HSK 4 syllabus defines exactly 30 communicative tasks, each described across four skill dimensions (听 listening, 说 speaking, 读 reading, 写 writing) and each tagged with "有一定复杂度" — meaning your output must be coherent multi-sentence responses, not isolated phrases.

Domain 1
Daily life
11
tasks · #1–11
Domain 2
Work & ed.
5
tasks · #12–16
Domain 3
Society & culture
14
tasks · #17–30

Daily life tasks (#1–11) 11 tasks

# Task (中文) English Key sub-topics
1谈论某个人物Discuss a personBackground, appearance, personality, influence
2交流、处理日常事务Daily affairsDeliveries, IDs, memberships, legal/police help
3日常言语交往Social communicationPoliteness, praise, congratulations, apology
4谈论情感话题Emotional topicsLove, friendship, family bonds, ideals
5介绍饮食情况Food & diningTaste, restaurants, cooking, dining experiences
6谈论交通出行TransportationTravel plans, hotels, driving, transit
7交流购物体验、商业活动内容Shopping & commerceOnline shopping, brands, payment, promotions
8谈论就医情况、健康生活Health & medicalSymptoms, injuries, healthy lifestyle
9交流业余爱好、休闲度假Hobbies & leisureReading, sports, fitness, music, travel
10交流居住情况、社区情况Housing & communityNeighborhood, renting, community services
11交流家庭生活情况Family lifeFamily relationships, growing up, daily habits

Work & education tasks (#12–16) 5 tasks

# Task (中文) English Key sub-topics
12谈论教学、学习情况Teaching & learningCourses, exams, scholarships, study methods
13交流校园生活Campus lifeActivities, facilities, environment
14谈论教育现象、观念Education issuesFamily education, vocational training
15谈论工作情况与表现Work performanceOffice tasks, attitude, colleague interactions
16介绍职业经历与单位情况Career & company infoJob hunting, HR, interviews, salary/benefits

Society & culture tasks (#17–30) 14 tasks

# Task (中文) English Key sub-topics
17谈论自然情况NatureGeography, climate, animals/plants, scenery
18谈论生活中的环保情况Environmental protectionPollution, eco practices, regulations
19介绍新技术应用及科技成果TechnologyMobile payment, drones, research
20介绍中国的主要省市、民族Provinces & ethnic groupsMajor cities, minority groups
21谈论经济现象EconomyTrending products, e-commerce, livestream economy
22谈论社会现象Social phenomenaLifestyle values, internet culture, infrastructure
23介绍文艺形式、活动、作品Arts & literatureNovels, films, plays, performances, artists
24谈论体育项目及比赛Sports & competitionsAthletes, competition results, sports stories
25讲述中外友好故事China-foreign friendshipSister cities, study abroad, language competitions
26介绍常见俗语、名言Idioms & quotes ★Common Chinese proverbs and famous sayings
27介绍传统饮食文化Food culture ★Etiquette, regional cuisines, century-old brands
28介绍风俗传统Customs & traditions ★Spring Festival, Kung Fu, Peking Opera, etiquette
29介绍名胜古迹Famous landmarks ★Tiananmen, Great Wall, historical sites
30介绍历史人物、历史事件History ★Confucius, Laozi, key historical events

★ Tasks 26–30 are the 5 dedicated cultural tasks — completely new in HSK 3.0 and not present in the old syllabus.

How to read a task description: worked example (Task 1)

Most tasks are broken down into 4-5 sub-skills (听/说/读/写, sometimes plus 问/答). Here's Task 1 (谈论某个人物 — Discuss a person), translated and explained, so you can extrapolate the same structure to all 30:

👂
Listen
Understand others asking moderately complex questions about a person's background, appearance, personality, or influence; or hearing such a description.
❓
Ask
Ask moderately complex questions about a person's background and characteristics; answer such questions about people you know.
🗣️
Speak
Give a moderately fluent general introduction of an acquaintance or public figure.
📖
Read
Comprehend general written introductions of someone's background and characteristics.
✍️
Write
Write a paragraph briefly describing or introducing an acquaintance or public figure.
📝 Sample passing-level Task 1 writing
我最佩服的人是我的奶奶。她今年七十多岁了，虽然年纪大了，但是每天都坚持锻炼身体。她年轻的时候是一位老师，教了三十多年的数学。尽管已经退休了，她还是喜欢看书学习新东西。奶奶的性格很开朗，总是鼓励我们遇到困难不要放弃。她对我的影响很大，让我明白了坚持的重要性。
Sentences
6
Complex patterns used
3
Content areas covered
4 / 4

7. HSK 4 Topics: The Complete 7 / 31 / 77 Hierarchy

Distinct from the 30 tasks (which describe what you can do), the syllabus defines 77 specific topics (which describe what you talk about), organized in three tiers:

Tier 1 · 一级
7
broad domains
Tier 2 · 二级
31
sub-domains
Tier 3 · 三级
77
specific topics
Domain 1
日常生活
Daily Life
10 sub-domains · 27 topics
 个人情况: 个人信息 · 个人特征
日常事务: 业务办理 · 困难求助
交往: 礼貌行为 · 情感 · 感悟
饮食: 食物饮品 · 就餐 · 做菜
交通出行: 出行经历 · 交通
购物: 商品选购 · 购物体验 · 商家活动
医疗健康: 就医 · 健康生活
休闲: 休闲活动 · 活动感受、看法等
社区: 居住情况 · 社区生活 · 房屋租赁与买卖
家庭生活: 居家生活 · 家庭关系 · 成长过程 · 生活习惯 · 家庭事务
Domain 2
教育情况
Education
3 sub-domains · 8 topics
 学习情况: 课程情况 · 教学情况 · 学习经历 · 学习心得
校园生活: 校园活动 · 学校情况
教育问题: 家庭教育 · 社会教育
Domain 3
职场生活
Career
3 sub-domains · 7 topics
 日常办公: 办公事务 · 工作表现 · 职场交往
职业与经历: 工作经历 · 职业现状、职业评价
单位情况: 人事管理 · 工作环境与待遇
Domain 4
自然与环境
Nature & Environment
2 sub-domains · 7 topics
 自然: 地理 · 气候 · 动植物 · 自然景观 · 自然现象
环境: 环境状况 · 环境保护
Domain 5
科学技术
Science & Technology
2 sub-domains · 3 topics
 科技发展: 新技术运用
科学知识: 科普知识 · 科研成果
Domain 6
当代社会
Contemporary Society
6 sub-domains · 16 topics
 概况: 首都、主要省市 · 少数民族
经济现象: 流行产品 · 新商业形态 · 经济状况
社会现象: 生活观念 · 网络生活 · 基础设施 · 流行事物
文艺: 文艺形式 · 文艺活动 · 创作者及其作品
体育: 运动项目 · 体育比赛 · 体育名人、体育故事
中外交流: 友好往来
Domain 7
文化与传统
Culture & Traditions
5 sub-domains · 9 topics
 语言文字: 俗语、名言等
饮食文化: 传统饮食观念 · 各地饮食、传统店铺、品牌等
民俗传统: 传统节日与习俗 · 国粹 · 各地传统 · 人际交往礼仪
人文景观: 名胜古迹等
历史: 历史人物、历史事件

8. HSK 4 Test Format & Scoring (2026)

✅ Verified December 2025: The format below is taken directly from the official 《新版HSK（1-6级）考试结构与样题示例》document published by 汉考国际 (Chinese Testing International) in December 2025, effective from July 1, 2026.
Section I
📻 Listening 听力
32 items · 2 parts
~20 min
⚠️ Played once only
Section II
📖 Reading 阅读
32 items · 3 parts
30 min
Cloze · passages · paragraph completion
Section III
✍️ Writing 写作
6 items · 2 parts
25 min
⚠️ Includes ≥80-char essay

Total: 70 items · ~85 minutes (down from 100 items / ~100 min in the old format)

What each section tests (verified against official samples)

Section Part Items What you do (from official samples)
📻 Listening
2 parts · 32 items · ~20 min		Part 1
(items 1–14)		14Short two-person dialogues + 1 question, 4 options. Items 1–7 use brief 2-line dialogues; items 8–14 use longer 4-line dialogues.
Part 2
(items 15–32)		18Monologues with questions. Items 15–19: short monologue + 1 question. Items 20–32: longer monologues each followed by 2 questions.
📖 Reading
3 parts · 32 items · 30 min		Part 1
(items 33–42)		10Vocabulary cloze in dialogue context — fill the blank, choose from 6 options (A–E).
Part 2
(items 43–57)		15Reading passages + multiple-choice questions, 4 options. Items 43–50: short passage + 1 question. Items 51–57: longer passage + 2 questions.
Part 3
(items 58–64)		7★ NEW: Paragraph completion. A passage with 3 blanks; choose the correct sentence to fill each blank from a list.
✍️ Writing
2 parts · 6 items · 25 min		Part 1
(items 65–69)		5Picture + word prompt — write a complete sentence using the given word that relates to the picture.
Part 2
(item 70)		1★ NEW: Short essay. Write a passage of at least 80 Chinese characters on a given prompt (e.g., "describe your most memorable trip").
OFFICIAL 2026 SAMPLES

See and Hear the Real New HSK 4

Three sample questions reproduced from the official 《新版HSK（1-6级）考试结构与样题示例》document published by 汉考国际 (Chinese Testing International) in December 2025 — the only fully authoritative preview of how the new HSK 4 will look from July 2026.

📻 Sample 1 · Listening — with official audio
New HSK 4 official listening sample question — December 2025 sample papers
Played once only — that's the official rule on test day. Tap play to hear the actual pace and tone of the new HSK 4 audio. Source: 汉考国际 (CTI), December 2025.
📖 Sample 2 · Reading Part 3 — completely new question type
New HSK 4 official reading Part 3 paragraph completion sample question
Paragraph completion (items 58–60). A passage with three blanks; pick the correct sentence from a list to fill each one. This question type previously appeared only in HSK 5 — brand new at HSK 4 level. Source: 汉考国际, December 2025.
✍️ Sample 3 · Writing Part 2 — new 80-character essay
New HSK 4 official writing essay prompt — 80 character minimum, item 70
Item 70 — short essay of at least 80 characters. Prompt: "请写一篇不少于80字的短文，介绍一下你最难忘的一次旅行。" ("Write a passage of at least 80 characters introducing your most memorable trip.") The single biggest skill upgrade in the new HSK 4. Source: 汉考国际, December 2025.

Scoring & passing threshold

Listening recommended
60+ / 100
Reading recommended
70+ / 100
Writing recommended
50+ / 100
✅ Total pass
180 / 300 (official)
No per-section minimum, but section balance matters for university applications
📢 Mandatory HSKK pairing

Registering for HSK 3 or above requires simultaneous registration for the corresponding HSKK (oral) exam. For HSK 4 that means HSKK Intermediate (HSKK 中级). You cannot register for the written exam alone. Budget for both. Read our complete HSKK guide →

9. What HSK 4 Actually Gets You

HSK 4 has the highest return-on-investment of any HSK level — significant enough to unlock real opportunities, achievable in roughly a year of dedicated study.

🎓
University admission
Minimum requirement for most STEM and engineering programs at top Chinese universities, including 3 C9 League schools.
💼
Work visa & jobs
Bonus points in R-class visa scoring; preferred qualification for hospitality, education, consulting roles in China.
🏠
Independent life in China
Rent apartments, see doctors, bank, navigate daily life without translation help.

Top universities that accept HSK 4

University 中文 Min HSK 4 score Best for
Nanjing University C9南京大学180Sciences
Harbin Institute of Technology C9哈尔滨工业大学210Engineering
Xi'an Jiaotong University C9西安交通大学HSK 4+Tech & engineering
Wuhan University武汉大学180Multidisciplinary
Sichuan University四川大学HSK 4Sciences
Central South University中南大学260 (STEM)STEM
Xiamen University厦门大学HSK 3–4Multiple programs
Dalian University of Technology大连理工大学HSK 4Engineering
Jilin University吉林大学HSK 4Multidisciplinary
Ocean University of China中国海洋大学HSK 4Marine sciences
20/39
Project 985 schools
 51% of China's top 39 elite universities accept HSK 4 as their minimum Chinese requirement, including 3 C9 League schools. Liberal arts and medical programs almost always require HSK 5+. See the full 39-university breakdown →
🎓 Personalized HSK 4 Study Plan
Free 30-min consultation · level assessment · custom roadmap to your test date
 Book free consultation →

10. HSK 4 Preparation Roadmap

Based on our teaching of 5,000+ HSK students at Mandarin Zone, here are realistic timelines for the most common starting points, plus a structured 12-week plan.

Realistic timelines by starting point

Starting point Class hours Self-study hours Calendar time
Zero (complete beginner)~220~44012–18 months
HSK 1 (A1)~180~36010–14 months
HSK 2 (A2)~140~2807–10 months
⭐ HSK 3 (B1)~100~2004–6 months
Old HSK 4 → New HSK 4~40~802–3 months

The 12-week sprint plan (HSK 3 → HSK 4)

Week Vocabulary focus Tasks focus Skill / grammar focus
1–2Daily life nouns & verbs (~150)#1–4 people, daily affairs, social, emotionListening 4-option MCQ; 把-sentences (1–2)
3–4Food, transport, shopping (~150)#5–7Listening Part 2; pivotal sentences
5–6Health, leisure, housing, family (~150)#8–11Reading cloze + dialogues; 并列, 承接 sentences
7Education & work (~100)#12–16Reading paragraph completion (NEW); 不仅…而且, 既然…就
8Nature, environment, tech (~100)#17–19Reading Part 3; 尽管…但是, 即使…也
9Society & economy (~100)#20–22Writing Part 1 (picture + word → sentence)
10Arts, sports, international (~100)#23–25Writing Part 2 (picture + word) + start practicing 80-char essay
11Cultural vocabulary (~80)#26–30 (the 5 cultural tasks)First full mock test (timed); identify weak areas
12High-frequency reviewRe-drill weakest tasks2nd & 3rd mock tests; HSKK practice

Total: ~1,000 new words · all 30 tasks · all major grammar patterns · 3 full mock tests in 12 weeks. Requires 8–10 hours/week.

⚡ Three new skill targets (added Dec 2025)
1. Long monologues + 2 questions/segment — practice listening to ≥5-sentence monologues and answering multiple questions about each. Old "single dialogue, single question" practice is no longer enough.

2. Paragraph completion (Reading Part 3) — practice reading short articles with 3 sentence-blanks and choosing which sentence fits. This is the same skill set previously tested only in HSK 5.

3. ≥80-character short essay (Writing Part 2) — the highest-leverage new skill. Practice writing one paragraph per day on prompts like "describe a memorable experience," "introduce a friend," "explain why you chose Chinese." Use complex-sentence connectors from Section 5.5.

Where most students lose points (and how to fix it)

📈 USUALLY HIGHEST
📖 Reading
With solid vocabulary, this is where you build a score cushion.
📊 USUALLY MIDDLE
📻 Listening
"Played once" rule punishes those who pause too long.
📉 CONSISTENTLY LOWEST — WHERE MOST STUDENTS FAIL
✍️ Writing
Handwriting, complex-sentence connectors, and 把-sentences are the three highest-leverage targets.

Top 5 mistakes & their fixes

❌ Common mistake ✅ Fix
Mismatched connectors (虽然 + 所以)Memorize each pair as one unit, never as separate words
Incomplete 把-sentence (我把书看)Always finish with a complement or 了 (我把书看完了)
Skipping handwriting practice30 min/week of pen-and-paper, even if daily input is digital
Pausing on missed listening questionsHard rule: if you don't know in 3 sec, mark a guess and move on
Producing only sentence-level ChinesePractice writing 5–6 sentence paragraphs for each of the 30 tasks

Free resources

11. HSK 4 Test Day Practical Guide

Registration steps

1
Create account
2
Pick HSK 4 + format
3
Pick center + date
4
⚠️ Add HSKK
5
Photo + pay

Register at the official site: chinesetest.cn. See our 2026 HSK test dates for the full schedule.

Test day checklist

✅ BRING
Printed admission ticket (准考证) ×2
Original photo ID (passport for foreigners)
2B pencils ×2 + regular pen + eraser
Arrive 30 min early (doors close 10 min before)
❌ DO NOT BRING
Phones (stored before entry)
Smartwatches
Dictionaries / electronic devices
Notes / cheatsheets

Time-management strategy

Section Strategy
ListeningPace fixed by recording. Never linger on a missed question — the next has already started.
Reading Part 1 (Cloze)~30 sec/item · 5 min total. Skip and return if unfamiliar.
Reading Part 2 (Ordering)~1 min/item · 10 min. Look for connectors (然后, 因此, 所以) to find sentence 2/3.
Reading Part 3 (Passages)~1.25 min/item · 25 min. Read questions first, then scan passage.
Writing~1.5 min/item. Don't agonize over perfect handwriting — legibility matters more than beauty.

After the test

SCORES RELEASED
~1 month
via chinesetest.cn → 我的成绩
CERTIFICATE MAILED
~3 months
Digital version available sooner
VALIDITY
2 years
For uni admission · permanent for personal cert

12. HSK 4 FAQ (2026 Updates)

Using semantic HTML <details> for crawler-friendly accordions — all answers fully visible to bots, expandable for human readers.

When does the new HSK 4 syllabus take effect?
The official syllabus was published in November 2025 and takes effect on July 1, 2026. Tests before that date follow the old format; tests from July 2026 onward follow the new HSK 3.0 syllabus.
Exactly how much vocabulary does the new HSK 4 require?
1,000 new words at HSK 4 level, for a cumulative total of 2,000 words across HSK 1–4 (300 + 200 + 500 + 1,000). This is up from 1,200 cumulative under the old syllabus — a 67% increase. Download the complete word list (PDF).
How many Chinese characters do I need to recognize for HSK 4?
441 new recognition characters (认读字) at HSK 4 level, for a cumulative total of 1,096 characters across HSK 1–4. The new syllabus separates "recognition characters" (must read) from "writing characters" (must handwrite) for the first time.
What is HSK 3.0?
HSK 3.0 is the informal name for the new HSK system first announced in 2021. The most visible changes: 9 levels (instead of 6), task-based design (instead of knowledge-based), explicit grammar/topic/character syllabuses, and CEFR alignment. The official syllabus document (新版HSK考试大纲) was finalized and published in November 2025.
What is the biggest practical change in the new HSK 4?
The shift from sentence-level to paragraph-level output. Most of the 30 communicative tasks contains the phrase 有一定复杂度 ("with a certain level of complexity"), meaning you must produce coherent multi-sentence responses, not isolated sentences. The vocabulary increase (1,200 → 2,000) and the addition of 5 dedicated cultural tasks are also significant.
Should I take the test before or after July 2026?
If you can comfortably pass the old HSK 4 (1,200 words, sentence-level output) now, take it before July 2026 — it's significantly easier and there are abundant practice materials. If you're at HSK 3 level or below now, prepare directly for the new format.
Does the new HSK 3 (1,000 words) equal the old HSK 4 (1,200 words)?
A common misconception. The vocabulary counts are similar, but the actual word lists are very different. Cross-referencing the official lists shows that only ~62% of old HSK 4 vocabulary appears in new HSK 3, and ~30% of new HSK 3 words didn't exist in the old system at all (modern terms like 扫码, 网购, 点赞, 高铁). Plus the new HSK 3 requires speaking, which the old HSK 4 didn't. So the two are "near in size, far in content" — not interchangeable. → Check your level-by-level coverage with our Gap Finder tool.
Is the old HSK 4 certificate still valid after July 2026?
Yes. HSK certificates have permanent validity as proof of attainment. For university admission and scholarship purposes, scores are valid for 2 years from the test date, regardless of which syllabus version you tested under.
How much does the HSK 4 test cost?
Fees vary by country. Reference prices:
CountryHSK 4+ HSKK Intermediate
Mainland China¥750–810~¥330
UK£40–50~£25
Austria€60~€35
SingaporeS$275~S$150
Confirm current fees on chinesetest.cn for your specific test center.
How hard is the new HSK 4 compared to the old one?
Noticeably harder: 67% more vocabulary, paragraph-level output requirement, formally specified grammar that students used to skip, and 5 new cultural tasks. Students who were borderline-passing the old HSK 4 should plan for an additional 40–60 hours of focused preparation for the new version.
Do I have to take HSKK if I take HSK 4?
Yes, under current policy. Registering for HSK 3 or above requires simultaneous registration for the corresponding HSKK level. For HSK 4, that means HSKK Intermediate (HSKK 中级). You cannot register for the written test alone.
What CEFR level is HSK 4?
HSK 4 corresponds to CEFR B2 — "independent user" level. This is the same level as IELTS 5.5–6.5 / TOEFL 72–94 for English.
⭐ How long is the new HSK 4 short essay?
The new HSK 4 writing section requires a short essay of at least 80 Chinese characters (item 70 in the test). According to the official sample, prompts ask you to describe a personal experience — for example: "请写一篇不少于80字的短文，介绍一下你最难忘的一次旅行" (write a short passage of at least 80 characters introducing your most memorable trip). This is a completely new requirement — the old HSK 4 only had sentence-level writing tasks.
Can I prepare for HSK 4 entirely on my own?
Yes, but it is significantly slower than guided study. Most self-learners reach HSK 4 in 18–24 months from zero (vs 12–18 months with structured classes). The biggest self-study challenges: (1) writing feedback — you can't grade your own paragraph-level output reliably; (2) speaking practice — required for the mandatory HSKK; (3) handwriting discipline — easy to skip. We recommend at minimum a writing tutor for the final 4 weeks.
How long are HSK results valid?
The certificate has permanent validity as personal certification. For specific applications: HSK 4 scores are valid for 2 years for university admission, scholarship applications, and most visa supporting documentation.
Are official sample papers for the new HSK 4 available?
Yes — released December 2025. 汉考国际 (Chinese Testing International) published the official 《新版HSK（1-6级）考试结构与样题示例》document. It confirms major test format changes for HSK 4: total questions reduced from 100 to 70, total time from ~100 to ~85 minutes, listening simplified from 3 parts to 2 parts (with True/False removed), reading adds a new paragraph-completion section, and writing now requires a short essay of at least 80 characters. The full breakdown is in Section 8.
What's the difference between HSK 4 and HSK 5?
HSK 5 adds 1,600 new words (cumulative 3,600), 431 more recognition characters (cumulative 1,527), and significantly more abstract / professional vocabulary. CEFR-wise, HSK 4 is B2; HSK 5 is C1. Most liberal arts and medical university programs require HSK 5; most STEM programs accept HSK 4. Plan ~6–9 additional months of study to move from HSK 4 to HSK 5.

📚 Your Next Steps

You now have the complete picture of HSK 4 under the new HSK 3.0 syllabus. Here's what to do depending on where you are:

📥 Just exploring
Download the word list and skim the 30 tasks
Get word list →
📝 Preparing for the test
Take a free mock test, then follow the 12-week plan
Take mock test →
🎯 Upgrading from HSK 3
Focus on 1,000 new words + complex sentences
Free consultation →
🎓 Applying to a Chinese university
Check requirements for your target school
University requirements →

Achieve Your HSK 4 Goal in 2026

Mandarin Zone has helped 5,000+ students from 40+ countries pass HSK with a 98% pass rate. Our HSK 4 program is fully updated for the 2026 HSK 3.0 syllabus.

Book Free Trial Lesson → Download Word List PDF

🔗 More Mandarin Zone HSK 4 Resources

HSK 4 vocabulary Excel + PDF(Based on 2025 Syllabus
HSK 4 Speaking Test, Decoded(2026 New HSK 3.0)
Old HSK vs New HSK 3.0: Only 55% Overlap at the Same Level
Free HSK 4 grammar online quiz
Free HSK 4 mock exam #1
HSK 4 mock test series 7
HSK 4 mock test series 8 		HSKK official scoring guide
HSKK Chinese speaking test guide
HSK 2026 test dates & fees
HSK requirements for top 39 universities
HSK 3.0 (9 levels) — system overview

About this article. Every fact has been independently verified against TWO official documents: (1) the 406-page 《新版HSK考试大纲》 published by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (中外语言交流合作中心) in November 2025, and (2) the 《新版HSK（1-6级）考试结构与样题示例》 published by 汉考国际 (Chinese Testing International) in December 2025. Reviewed by Mandarin Zone School's HSK teaching team — Beijing, China · since 2008 · 5,000+ HSK students · 98% pass rate. Last verified: January 2026.