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.
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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.
Browse the Full List
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 争取 | zhēng qǔ | to fight for; to strive for; to win over | |
| 争论 | zhēng lùn | to argue; to debate; to contend | |
| 事先 | shì xiān | in advance; before the event; beforehand | |
| 事实 | shì shí | fact; CL:個|个[gè] | |
| 事物 | shì wù | thing; object; CL:個|个[gè] | |
| 交换 | jiāo huàn | to exchange; to swap; to switch (telecom) | |
| 交际 | jiāo jì | communication; social intercourse | |
| 产品 | chǎn pǐn | goods; merchandise; product | |
| 产生 | chǎn shēng | to arise; to come into being; to come about | |
| 享受 | xiǎng shòu | to enjoy; to live it up; pleasure | |
| 亲切 | qīn qiè | amiable; cordial; close and dear | |
| 亲爱 | qīn ài | dear; beloved; darling | |
| 亲自 | qīn zì | personally | |
| 人事 | rén shì | human affairs; ways of the world; consciousness of the world | |
| 人口 | rén kǒu | population | |
| 人员 | rén yuán | staff; crew; personnel | |
| 人才 | rén cái | a person's talent; talented person; distinguished person | |
| 人物 | rén wù | person; character (in a play, novel etc); protagonist | |
| 人生 | rén shēng | life (one's time on earth) | |
| 人类 | rén lèi | humanity; human race; mankind | |
| 从事 | cóng shì | to go for; to engage in; to undertake | |
| 从前 | cóng qián | previously; formerly; once upon a time | |
| 从此 | cóng cǐ | from now on; since then; henceforth | |
| 从而 | cóng ér | thus; thereby | |
| 付款 | fù kuǎn | to pay a sum of money; payment |
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