HSK 4 Characters

Q: How many characters are in HSK 4?

HSK 4 includes 300 characters. These characters form the core vocabulary for upper-intermediate-level Chinese communication, covering approximately 1200 words of cumulative vocabulary.

Q: How long does it take to learn HSK 4 characters?

Most learners need 1-3 months of consistent daily practice to master HSK 4 characters. Writing each character 10-20 times with correct stroke order is more effective than passive recognition.

Q: What is the best way to practice HSK 4 writing?

Start with stroke order animations to learn the correct writing sequence, then practice with real-time feedback. The Hanzi Writer app provides animated stroke-by-stroke guidance and instantly detects incorrect strokes.

Q: Should I learn HSK 4 characters in order?

Group characters by radical or theme rather than alphabetical order. Characters sharing the same radical (like 丈, 与, 严) often have related meanings, making them easier to remember together.

Complete list of 300 characters with stroke order, meanings, and writing practice.

HSK 1 HSK 2 HSK 3 HSK 4 HSK 5 HSK 6 HSK 7-9

Practice Writing HSK 4 Characters

Hanzi Writer shows animated stroke order for every HSK 4 character and gives instant feedback when you write incorrectly.

✨ Animated stroke order · Real-time feedback · HSK-graded courses · Free to start

App Store ▶ Google Play

What is HSK 4?

HSK 4 covers characters needed for discussing abstract topics, work environments, and academic contexts.

The 300 characters on this page are officially defined by Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters) as the required vocabulary for HSK 4. Mastering their stroke order is essential for both the written exam and real-world handwriting.

Quick facts: 300 characters · 1200 words cumulative vocabulary · upper-intermediate level · Standard stroke order follows the "top to bottom, left to right, outside before inside" rule.

All HSK 4 Characters (300)

丈 zhàng zhang (unit of length 与 yǔ/yù and 严 yán Strict 临 lín to face 之 zhī Possessive particle 乎 hū (classical particle) / expressing doubt 亚 yà Asia 企 qǐ to stand on tiptoe / to hope for / enterprise 伙 huǒ Partner 伞 sǎn Umbrella. 伴 bàn companion 余 yú surplus 供 gōng/gòng to provide 依 yī to lean on 促 cù To urge / To promote / Urgent 俗 sú custom 俩 liǎ two or both 倍 bèi Times 兄 xiōng elder brother 免 miǎn to exempt 兵 bīng Soldier 冰 bīng Ice 冲 chōng/chòng to rush 减 jiǎn to reduce 列 liè to list 则 zé then / standard / rule 刷 shuā To brush / To swipe. 刺 cì To stab / To sting / Thorn. 劲 jìn/jìng Strength 勇 yǒng Brave 即 jí namely 却 què but 卷 juǎn/juàn roll 厘 lí centi- 厚 hòu thick 县 xiàn county 叔 shū uncle (father's younger brother) 召 zhào to summon 史 shǐ history 叶 yè leaf 含 hán to contain 吸 xī to inhale 呀 ya/yā ah 呼 hū to exhale / to call / to shout 咸 xián salty 售 shòu To sell 固 gù Solid / Firm 圆 yuán Round / Circle 圈 juàn/quān circle / ring / loop 圾 jī Garbage / Rubbish 址 zhǐ Site / Address / Location 均 jūn Equal / Even / All 垃 lā trash (used in 垃圾) 型 xíng type 培 péi to cultivate / to foster / to bank up with earth 堵 dǔ block / stop up / (classifier for walls) 塑 sù mold / model / plastic 填 tián to fill in 士 shì soldier / scholar / gentleman 奋 fèn to exert oneself / to act vigorously 奖 jiǎng prize 妇 fù woman 妻 qī Wife. 姨 yí aunt (mother's sister) 婆 pó grandmother 孙 sūn grandchild 季 jì season 宁 níng/nìng Peaceful 守 shǒu To guard 官 guān Official / Government officer 宝 bǎo Treasure / Precious 宽 kuān Wide / Broad / Lenient 寄 jì to mail 密 mì dense 寒 hán cold 寸 cùn Inch (Chinese unit of length) 寻 xún To seek 尚 shàng Still 尺 chǐ ruler 尾 wěi tail 局 jú bureau 居 jū to reside 巨 jù huge 巴 ba/bā to hope for / bar / crust 巾 jīn towel / cloth 帅 shuài handsome 席 xí Mat 帽 mào Hat / Cap 幼 yòu Young 序 xù preface 府 fǔ Government office 延 yán To extend / To delay 引 yǐn to lead 弯 wān Curved 弱 ruò Weak 归 guī To return 彻 chè thorough 征 zhēng to levy 律 lǜ Law / rule / rhythm 微 wēi Tiny 怀 huái to cherish 恶 ě/è/wù Evil 惊 jīng Startled 战 zhàn War 戴 dài to wear (accessories like hats 户 hù door 扩 kuò to expand 扫 sǎo/sào to sweep 扬 yáng to raise 承 chéng to bear 抄 chāo to copy 投 tóu to throw 折 shé/zhē/zhé to fold 抱 bào to hug or hold in arms 抽 chōu to pull out or smoke 担 dān/dàn to carry on a shoulder pole 招 zhāo To beckon / to recruit / to attract 择 zé to choose 括 kuò to include 挑 tiāo/tiǎo to choose 挥 huī wave 授 shòu to give 措 cuò to arrange 描 miáo To trace or sketch 摆 bǎi to place 摇 yáo to shake 摸 mō to touch 操 cāo to exercise 擦 cā To wipe 政 zhèng politics 敌 dí Enemy 斗 dǒu/dòu Fight 料 liào Material / To expect 施 shī to carry out 无 wú None 既 jì Already / since / both 映 yìng To reflect or shine 晒 shài to bask in the sun 智 zhì Wisdom / Intelligence 暑 shǔ heat 暗 àn dark 替 tì For / on behalf of / replace 未 wèi Not yet / Have not 权 quán Power 松 sōng pine 构 gòu to construct 林 lín forest 案 àn case 梦 mèng dream 梯 tī ladder 棵 kē Measure word for trees or plants 植 zhí To plant / vegetation 模 mó/mú model 殊 shū special 毕 bì To finish 毫 háo Milli- 汇 huì To converge 江 jiāng river 沉 chén to sink 治 zhì To treat or govern 泉 quán Spring (water) 泪 lèi Tear 浅 qiǎn shallow / light (color) 测 cè to measure 浓 nóng thick 淡 dàn Light 渐 jiàn Gradually or little by little. 湿 shī Wet 源 yuán Source 潮 cháo tide 激 jī To surge / To excite / Sharp 炼 liàn to refine / to smelt 烧 shāo To burn or to cook 燃 rán to burn 牙 yá Tooth 独 dú alone / single 率 lǜ/shuài To lead / Rate / Proportion 玉 yù Jade 王 wáng King / Surname Wang 瓜 guā melon 甚 shèn very 申 shēn to state 疑 yí To doubt 疗 liáo To treat 登 dēng to climb 益 yì benefit / advantage / profit 盐 yán salt 盖 gài/gě cover / lid / to cover 盘 pán plate / dish / tray 矮 ǎi Short (in height). 矿 kuàng mine 码 mǎ yard (unit of length) 研 yán To grind / To study 禁 jīn/jìn To prohibit 秀 xiù elegant 秘 bì/mì secret 移 yí to move 稳 wěn stable 究 jiū To investigate 穷 qióng Poor / exhausted 窗 chuāng A window. 竟 jìng Unexpectedly 童 tóng Child 符 fú symbol or charm 笨 bèn stupid or clumsy 粗 cū Thick 粮 liáng Grain 纯 chún Pure / Simple 纷 fēn numerous 细 xì thin 络 luò Network or net-like. 统 tǒng To unify or gather. 维 wéi to maintain 综 zōng to sum up 缓 huǎn slow / to delay / to ease 编 biān to weave 缩 suō To shrink 置 zhì To put 翻 fān to turn over 耳 ěr ear 聊 liáo to chat 聚 jù to gather 肚 dǔ/dù Belly 肥 féi Fat 胸 xiōng chest 脱 tuō to take off 腐 fǔ Rotten / Corrupt / Tofu 腰 yāo waist 致 zhì To cause 航 háng to sail / to fly / navigation 良 liáng Good / Fine 获 huò to get 著 zhù to write / famous 薄 báo/bó/bò thin 虑 lǜ To consider 虫 chóng Insect / Bug 袋 dài Bag or pocket 袜 wà Sock or stocking 裹 guǒ to wrap 译 yì To translate 诗 shī Poem 诚 chéng sincere 谓 wèi to call 豆 dòu bean 贝 bèi shell 财 cái wealth 败 bài to defeat 货 huò goods 质 zhì Quality / Nature / Substance 购 gòu To purchase / To buy 贴 tiē Paste 赏 shǎng to reward 赞 zàn To praise / To like 趋 qū To tend towards 趣 qù Interest 距 jù distance 躺 tǎng to lie down 轮 lún Wheel or turn 载 zǎi/zài To carry 辣 là spicy 辩 biàn to argue 迅 xùn fast 迟 chí late / slow 迫 pǎi/pò To force 述 shù To state 透 tòu To penetrate / Transparent 逐 zhú To chase / One by one 递 dì To hand over / To pass 途 tú Way / Route 逛 guàng To stroll or roam around. 遇 yù to meet 遗 yí To leave behind 避 bì to avoid / to shun / to escape 郎 láng Young man / Groom 酸 suān sour 醒 xǐng to wake up / to sober up 释 shì to release 针 zhēn Needle 销 xiāo To sell / To cancel / To melt 锻 duàn To forge 镜 jìng mirror or lens 闪 shǎn To flash / To dodge 闭 bì to close / to shut 闹 nào Noisy 阅 yuè To read 阵 zhèn a burst 阶 jiē step 阻 zǔ to block 阿 ā/ē prefix for names 附 fù to attach / to be near 陆 liù/lù land / shore 降 jiàng/xiáng to descend / to reduce / to surrender 限 xiàn limit 隔 gé to separate 雷 léi Thunder 顶 dǐng top 项 xiàng neck 骨 gū/gǔ bone 鲜 xiān/xiǎn Fresh / Delicious 默 mò Silent

FAQ about HSK 4

How many characters are in HSK 4?

How long does it take to learn HSK 4 characters?

What is the best way to practice HSK 4 writing?

Should I learn HSK 4 characters in order?

Practice Writing HSK 4 Characters

Hanzi Writer shows animated stroke order for every HSK 4 character and gives instant feedback when you write incorrectly.

✨ Animated stroke order · Real-time feedback · HSK-graded courses · Free to start

App Store ▶ Google Play