HSK 5 is the level where Chinese conversations stretch beyond the everyday and start dancing into real opinions, abstract ideas, and unexpected tangents. You’re not just ordering food or asking for directions-you’re debating if a movie sequel was worth it, explaining why you want to switch jobs, or describing the exact vibe of your favourite café. It’s a messy, exciting stage where your vocabulary needs to keep up with your thoughts.
This list gathers about 1300 practical words the HSK 5 exam expects and that your daily Chinese life actually demands. Each word comes with a straightforward meaning and a natural example sentence so you can see it in action, not a lonely translation. There’s audio playback for every entry too, because your ears need practice just as much as your eyes.
Ready to level up your Mandarin without breaking a sweat? Scroll to the bottom of the article for the free printable HSK Level 5 Chinese vocabulary list PDF and the free downloadable printable HSK Level 5 Chinese flashcards, both made to help you review smarter and remember more.
Want more than one list? Browse our Chinese section for more Yak Yacker study pages, printable lists, and quiz-friendly review material.
Quick Quiz
Think you know your HSK 5 words inside out? Take the quick quiz below to check which ones have stuck and where you might need a little extra review.
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Browse the Full List
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 业余 | yè yú | spare time; amateur; extra-curricular | |
| 业务 | yè wù | business; professional work; service | |
| 丝毫 | sī háo | the slightest amount or degree; a bit | |
| 丝绸 | sī chóu | silk cloth; silk | |
| 严肃 | yán sù | solemn; grave; serious | |
| 个人 | gè rén | individual; personal; oneself | |
| 个别 | gè bié | individual; specific; respective | |
| 个性 | gè xìng | individuality; personality | |
| 中介 | zhōng jiè | to act as intermediary; to link; intermediate | |
| 中心 | zhōng xīn | center; heart; core | |
| 中旬 | zhōng xún | middle third of a month | |
| 临时 | lín shí | at the instant sth happens; temporary; interim | |
| 主人 | zhǔ rén | master; host; owner | |
| 主席 | zhǔ xí | chairperson; premier; chairman | |
| 主张 | zhǔ zhāng | to advocate; to stand for; view | |
| 主持 | zhǔ chí | to take charge of; to manage or direct; to preside over | |
| 主观 | zhǔ guān | subjective | |
| 举 | jǔ | to lift; to hold up; to cite | |
| 义务 | yì wù | duty; obligation; commitment | |
| 乐观 | lè guān | optimistic; hopeful | |
| 乖 | guāi | (of a child) obedient; well-behaved; clever | |
| 乘 | chéng | to ride; to mount; to make use of | |
| 乙 | yǐ | second of 10 heavenly stems 十天干; second in order; letter "B" or roman "II" in list "A, B, C" | |
| 书架 | shū jià | bookshelf; CL:個|个[gè] | |
| 了不起 | liǎo bu qǐ | amazing; terrific; extraordinary |
Free HSK Level 5 Chinese Vocabulary PDF and Flashcards to Download
Use the purple vocab-list button to get the HSK Level 5 Chinese vocabulary list, and the teal flashcards button to grab the HSK Level 5 Chinese flashcards. Both downloads are 100% free and require no signup.
