HSK 4 key terms

A paired pattern that links two clauses and adds a second, stronger point, meaning 'not only … but also …'. Both parts must share the same subject in HSK 4 usage.

A concessive pair meaning 'although … still …'. The first clause states a fact that seems to work against the second, which is nevertheless true. 但是 can be replaced by 可是 or 不过.

A pattern showing that one change follows another, as in 'the more …, the more …'. The same subject or adjective appears in both slots, and the second clause describes the resulting change.

An adverb meaning 'more and more' that precedes an adjective or mental verb to show gradual ongoing change, for example rising prices or improving health. It cannot be followed by a simple action verb.

A sentence type in which 把 moves the object in front of the verb to stress what happens to it, as in '把作业做完'. The verb must carry a result, direction, or 了; bare verbs are not allowed.

A passive construction using 被 before the agent, or directly before the verb when the agent is unknown. It usually carries an unfavourable nuance, and the verb needs a completion marker such as 了 or a complement.

A word placed right after a verb to show the outcome of the action, such as 完 (finish), 到 (reach), 好 (done well), or 错 (wrongly). It forms one unit with the verb for 了 and negation.

A directional word after a verb showing movement toward or away from the speaker, such as 来, 去, 上, 下, 起来, or 下去. Extended uses include starting an action (起来) and continuing it (下去).

A directional complement literally meaning 'up', but often used to mark the beginning of a state or action, as in '天气热起来了'. It can also introduce an impression, as in '看起来不错'.

A conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however' that softens contrast. It introduces a mild limitation to the previous statement and is more colloquial than 但是, often starting the second clause after a comma.

A conjunction meaning 'otherwise' or 'or else'. It introduces the negative consequence that follows if the previous suggestion, condition, or warning is not carried out.

A conjunction meaning 'since' or 'now that', used when the first clause states an accepted fact and the second draws a conclusion or makes a suggestion based on it.

A formal connector meaning 'therefore' or 'for this reason'. It links a cause with its result and appears more often in writing than in casual speech, where 所以 is preferred.

A preposition and conjunction meaning 'owing to' or 'because of'. It introduces a cause and is typical of written or formal style; the result clause often uses 因此 or 所以.

An adverb or adjective meaning 'almost', 'nearly', or 'about the same'. It can modify numbers and quantities, as in '差不多十点', or describe two things as similar.

An adverb meaning 'almost' or 'hardly', often stressing that something nearly happened or is nearly the case. With 不 it means 'hardly ever', as in '几乎不去'.

An adverb meaning 'approximately', used before numbers, times, and amounts to give an estimate. It is more formal than 差不多 and does not describe similarity between things.

A verb and noun meaning 'to suggest' or 'a suggestion'. As a verb it takes a clause or 把 construction, and the suggestion itself can be marked with 吧 or 应该.

A verb meaning 'to discuss' or 'to consult' in order to reach a decision. It is used for informal exchange among equals and commonly appears in the pattern '跟某人商量'.

A verb and noun meaning 'to discuss' or 'a discussion', usually more formal than 商量 and often about a topic or problem rather than a personal decision.

A verb meaning 'to go through' and a noun meaning 'experience'. It refers to events a person has lived through, not to general skill or knowledge gained over time.

A noun meaning 'experience' in the sense of knowledge or skill built up through practice. It is countable with 一些 or 很多, unlike 经历, which refers to specific events.

A noun meaning 'impression'. It is used in phrases such as '对……的印象' and '给……留下深刻的印象', describing how someone or something appears to a person.

A noun meaning 'view' or 'opinion' on a matter. It is close to 观点 but more everyday, and commonly appears in '对……的看法' or '我的看法是……'.

A noun meaning 'attitude', referring to how a person approaches work, study, or other people. It is often described as 认真, 积极, or 热情, and appears in '对……的态度'.

A noun meaning 'personality' or 'character'. It describes a person's stable temperament, such as 外向 or 内向, and is used with verbs like 改变 and adjectives like 好 or 急.

A noun meaning 'ability' or 'capacity' to do something. It commonly appears in '有……的能力' and can be modified by words such as 工作, 语言, or 表达.

A verb meaning 'to raise' or 'to improve' a level, quality, or skill. It pairs with abstract nouns such as 水平, 能力, 效率, and 收入, not with physical objects that are simply lifted.

A noun and verb meaning 'change' or 'to change'. It describes alteration in a situation or thing over time and often appears with 很大, 发生, or 越来越.

A noun meaning 'environment' or 'surroundings'. It covers natural surroundings, living and working conditions, and social context, and pairs with verbs such as 保护 and 改善.

A verb meaning 'to protect' or 'to safeguard'. It is used with objects such as 环境, 眼睛, 动物, and 文化, and implies keeping something safe from harm or damage.

A verb and noun meaning 'to pollute' or 'pollution'. It applies to air, water, noise, and the environment generally, and commonly appears as 空气污染 or 环境污染.

A verb meaning 'to save' or 'to economize' on resources such as water, electricity, money, and time. It stresses avoiding waste rather than storing something for later.

A verb meaning 'to waste' time, money, or resources. It is the opposite of 节约 and commonly appears in patterns such as '浪费时间' or '别浪费机会'.

A noun meaning 'chance' or 'opportunity'. It is used with verbs such as 抓住, 失去, and 提供, and appears in the pattern '有机会做某事'.

A verb and noun meaning 'to notify' or 'a notice'. As a verb it can take a person as object plus a clause, as in '通知大家明天开会'; as a noun it refers to a written or spoken announcement.

A verb and noun meaning 'to arrange' or 'an arrangement'. It is used for planning schedules, activities, and people's time, as in '安排会议' or '安排好时间'.

A verb and noun meaning 'to plan' or 'a plan'. It refers to an intended course of action and commonly appears in '打算' style patterns such as '计划去旅行' or '按计划进行'.