What HSK 4 means
HSK 4 roughly corresponds to B2 on the CEFR scale — upper intermediate proficiency. At this level, you can discuss a wide range of topics, express opinions on abstract subjects, understand the main points of complex texts, and interact fluently enough with native speakers that conversation doesn't require strain on either side.
The vocabulary jump from HSK 3 to HSK 4 is substantial — from 600 to 1,200 words, double the previous count. This takes most learners 6–9 months of consistent study. The grammar also becomes more sophisticated, with more complex sentence structures and nuanced connectors used in reading and listening passages.
Test format
Listening (45 questions, 30 min)
Short dialogues and longer monologues at natural conversation speed. Multiple choice. Topics include daily life, work, current events, and abstract discussions. Audio played once. Passages are significantly longer than HSK 3 — good listening stamina is essential.
Reading (40 questions, 40 min)
Three sections: choose the best response to a sentence; fill blanks in a passage; read longer texts and answer comprehension questions. Texts involve opinion, reasoning, and narrative. No pinyin. Some passages approach newspaper-style writing.
Writing (15 questions, 25 min)
Two sections: rearrange scrambled sentences into the correct order; write a short paragraph based on a provided keyword or picture prompt. The second section requires producing original written Mandarin — the most challenging writing task so far.
The writing section: producing original Mandarin
The most distinctive feature of HSK 4 is the picture/keyword writing prompt — you are given a word or image and asked to write 80 characters of coherent Chinese about it. This requires not just vocabulary and grammar, but the ability to construct an argument or narrative under time pressure.
Practise this weekly from month two of your preparation. Common topics include: describing a personal experience, giving an opinion on a social topic (e.g. technology use, work-life balance), or narrating what's happening in a picture. Build a bank of useful connector phrases and opinion expressions that you can deploy flexibly.
9-month study roadmap
Add 5–7 new HSK 4 words per day consistently. Focus especially on verbs, adverbs, and conjunctions — these drive sentence complexity and appear heavily in both listening and reading. Use example sentences for every new word.
Begin reading authentic Chinese content daily: WeChat articles, simple news on Chinadaily.com.cn, or graded readers at HSK 4 level. Don't look up every word — practise reading for gist first, then go back for detail. 15–20 minutes daily builds the reading speed the exam requires.
Transition from learner-specific podcasts to authentic Mandarin content with subtitles. Chinese drama series, news broadcasts, and YouTube channels aimed at native speakers. Your goal is to follow the general thread at natural speed — not full comprehension.
Complete a full HSK 4 practice paper every two weeks. Practise writing prompts weekly. By this point you should be scoring 150+ on practice tests — adjust focus based on which section is pulling your score down.
Aiming for mastery? The advanced levels await.
HSK 5 brings you to near-professional fluency and is required for most graduate programs in China.
Prepare for HSK 5 → University ApplicationsReady to practise with a real tutor?
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