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.
Once you’ve worked through the table online, use the free PDF download button right below it to take your study offline-no sign-ups, no fuss.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 遵守 | zūn shǒu | to comply with; to abide by; to respect (an agreement) | |
| 避免 | bì miǎn | to avert; to prevent; to avoid | |
| 邮局 | yóu jú | post office; CL:家; 個|个[gè] | |
| 郊区 | jiāo qū | suburban district; outskirts; suburbs | |
| 部门 | bù mén | department; branch; section | |
| 配合 | pèi hé | matching; fitting in with; compatible with | |
| 酒吧 | jiǔ bā | bar; pub; saloon | |
| 酱油 | jiàng yóu | soy sauce | |
| 醉 | zuì | intoxicated | |
| 醋 | cù | vinegar | |
| 采取 | cǎi qǔ | to adopt or carry out (measures, policies, course of action); to take | |
| 采访 | cǎi fǎng | to interview; to gather news; to hunt for and collect | |
| 重 | zhòng | heavy; serious; to attach importance to | |
| 重复 | chóng fù | to repeat; to duplicate; CL:個|个[gè] | |
| 重量 | zhòng liàng | weight; CL:個|个[gè] | |
| 金属 | jīn shǔ | metal; CL:種|种[zhǒng] | |
| 针对 | zhēn duì | to be directed against; to be aimed at; to counter | |
| 钓 | diào | to fish with a hook and bait | |
| 钟 | zhōng | clock; o'clock; time as measured in hours and minutes | |
| 钢铁 | gāng tiě | steel | |
| 铃 | líng | (small) bell; CL:隻|只[zhī] | |
| 铜 | tóng | copper (chemistry); see also 紅銅|红铜[hóng tóng]; CL:塊|块[kuài] | |
| 银 | yín | silver; silver-colored; relating to money or currency | |
| 销售 | xiāo shòu | to sell; market; sales | |
| 锁 | suǒ | to lock up; to lock; CL:把[bǎ] |
Free Simplified Chinese Vocab List and Flashcard PDFs to Download
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