HSK 9 Vocabulary — 1299 Words

Quick Answer: HSK 9 requires knowing 1299 Chinese words. This free list includes hanzi, pinyin, English translations, and audio for every word, grouped by lesson. No account needed.

Lesson 1 Vocabulary (109 words)

HanziPinyinEnglish
抱负bào fùaspiration
膳食shàn shímeals; food
勇往直前yǒng wǎng zhí qiánto advance bravely
下海xià hǎito go out to sea
扎根zhā gēnto take root
山寨shān zhàifortified hill village
豆浆dòu jiāngsoy milk
悬殊xuán shūwidely different
稀少xī shǎosparse
名贵míng guìfamous and valuable
启蒙qǐ méngto instruct the young
耳目一新ěr mù yī xīna pleasant change
焦躁jiāo zàofretful
枢纽shū niǔhub (e.g. of traffic network)
针锋相对zhēn fēng xiāng duìto oppose each other with equal harshness (idiom); tit for tat
勘探kān tànto explore
生怕shēng pàto fear
答辩dá biànto reply (to an accusation)
止咳zhǐ kéto suppress coughing
使唤shǐ huanto order sb around
流转liú zhuǎnto be on the move
有朝一日yǒu zhāo yī rìone day
粗略cū lu:èrough (not precise or accurate)
眼色yǎn sèsignal made with one's eyes
公顷gōng qǐnghectare
弱势ruò shìvulnerable
提心吊胆tí xīn diào dǎn(saying) to be very scared and on edge
垫子diàn zicushion; mat; pad
插图chā túillustration
衍生yǎn shēngto give rise to
轻蔑qīng mièscornful; disdainful; contemptuous; pejorative
情怀qíng huáifeelings
谦逊qiān xùnhumble
利害lì hàipros and cons
倡议chàng yìto suggest
谋求móu qiúto seek; to strive for
灰心huī xīnto lose heart
凑巧còu qiǎofortuitously
免不了miǎn bù liǎounavoidable
人均rén jūnper capita
天长地久tiān cháng dì jiǔenduring while the world lasts (idiom)
芬芳fēn fāngperfume
投射tóu shèto throw (a projectile)
存心cún xīndeliberately
中型zhōng xíngmedium sized
论述lùn shùtreatise
浓郁nóng yùrich
脱节tuō jiéto come apart
不由得bù yóu decan't help
沉淀chén diànto settle; to precipitate
难处nán chutrouble; difficulty; problem
黑心hēi xīnruthless and lacking in conscience
荆棘jīng jíthistles and thorns
赔钱péi qiánto lose money
蕴藏yùn cángto hold in store
拐弯guǎi wānto go round a curve
河畔hé pànriverside
日趋rì qū(increasing) day by day
特产tè chǎnspecial local product
阅历yuè lìto experience
灵巧líng qiǎodeft
走投无路zǒu tóu wú lùto be at an impasse (idiom)
指教zhǐ jiàoto give advice or comments
能人néng réncapable person
淡化dàn huàto water down
遮盖zhē gàito hide
利索lì suonimble
兴高采烈xìng gāo cǎi lièhappy and excited (idiom)
残缺cán quēbadly damaged
大街小巷dà jiē xiǎo xiànggreat streets and small alleys (idiom); everywhere in the city
第一手dì yī shǒufirst-hand
着落zhuó luòwhereabouts
赶赴gǎn fùto hurry
配送pèi sòngto put together an order and deliver it (i.e. 配货 and 送货)
相比之下xiāng bǐ zhī xiàby comparison
乡亲xiāng qīnfellow countryman (from the same village)
出具chū jùto issue (document, certificate etc)
凶恶xiōng èfierce
根基gēn jīfoundation
养老院yǎng lǎo yuànnursing home
隐性yǐn xìnghidden
霍乱huò luàncholera
打磨dǎ móto polish; to burnish; to shine
空难kōng nànair crash
梳子shū zicomb
俘获fú huòto capture (enemy property or personnel)
木匠mù jiàngcarpenter
邮编yóu biānpostal code
封建fēng jiànsystem of enfeoffment
窘迫jiǒng pòpoverty-stricken
常态cháng tàinormal state
世故shì gùthe ways of the world
推选tuī xuǎnto elect
扫兴sǎo xìngto spoil things; to dampen spirits
深奥shēn àoprofound
出息chū xīto yield interest, profit etc
逞强chěng qiángto show off
没落mò luòto decline
恩惠ēn huìfavor
够呛gòu qiàngunbearable
旁观páng guānspectator
扭头niǔ tóuto turn one's head
磁盘cí pán(computer) disk
沧桑cāng sānggreat changes
劝阻quàn zǔto advise against
屹立yì lìto tower
沉稳chén wěnsteady
惊心动魄jīng xīn dòng pò(idiom) heart-stopping; hair-raising; breathtaking
单薄dān bóweak

Lesson 2 Vocabulary (109 words)

HanziPinyinEnglish
失业率shī yè lǜunemployment rate
一味yī wèiblindly
跟上gēn shàngto catch up with
和气hé qifriendly
座右铭zuò yòu míngmotto
插嘴chā zuǐto interrupt (sb talking)
敬酒jìng jiǔto toast; to propose a toast
公仆gōng púpublic servant
袖手旁观xiù shǒu páng guānto watch with folded arms (idiom); to look on without lifting a finger
拘束jū shùto restrict
力不从心lì bù cóng xīnless capable than desirable (idiom); not as strong as one would wish
飙升biāo shēngto rise rapidly
缩影suō yǐngminiature version of sth
完备wán bèifaultless
停泊tíng bóto anchor
较劲jiào jìnto match one's strength with
公职gōng zhícivil service
修路xiū lùto repair a road
自理zì lǐto take care of oneself
直观zhí guāndirect observation
格格不入gé gé bù rù(idiom) inharmonious
打搅dǎ jiǎoto disturb; to trouble; to bother
游船yóu chuánpleasure boat
古迹gǔ jìplaces of historic interest
照办zhào bànto follow the rules
合情合理hé qíng hé lǐreasonable and fair (idiom)
豁出去huō chu quto throw caution to the wind
百分比bǎi fēn bǐpercentage
效仿xiào fǎngsee 仿效
和平共处hé píng gòng chǔpeaceful coexistence of nations, societies etc
发起人fā qǐ rénproposer
海藻hǎi zǎoseaweed
紧缩jǐn suō(economics) to reduce
功臣gōng chénminister who has given outstanding service
上火shàng huǒto get angry
成问题chéng wèn títo be a problem
起跑线qǐ pǎo xiànthe starting line (of a race)
水落石出shuǐ luò shí chūas the water recedes, the rocks appear (idiom)
发源地fā yuán dìplace of origin
顺理成章shùn lǐ chéng zhānglogical
继父jì fùstepfather
焕发huàn fāto shine
恩赐ēn cìfavor
遭殃zāo yāngto suffer a calamity
纵观zòng guānto survey comprehensively
难点nán diǎndifficulty
招揽zhāo lǎnto attract (customers); to drum up (trade)
追悼会zhuī dào huìmemorial service
助威zhù wēito cheer for
转学zhuǎn xuéto change schools
原装yuán zhuānggenuine
还款huán kuǎnrepayment
靶子bǎ zitarget
产地chǎn dìsource (of a product)
气馁qì něito be discouraged
奔赴bēn fùto rush to
滨海bīn hǎicoastal
口哨kǒu shàowhistle
受惊shòu jīngstartled
来年lái niánnext year
孤零零gū líng línglone
探亲tàn qīnto go home to visit one's family
卖弄mài nongto show off
比试bǐ shìto have a competition
大名鼎鼎dà míng dǐng dǐnggrand reputation
根治gēn zhìto bring under permanent control
好家伙hǎo jiā huomy God!
就近jiù jìnnearby
国宝guó bǎonational treasure
老实说lǎo shí shuōhonestly speaking; to be frank, ...
研讨yán tǎodiscussion
一事无成yī shì wú chéngto have achieved nothing
翻天覆地fān tiān fù dìsky and the earth turning upside down (idiom); fig. complete confusion
逐年zhú niányear after year
火候huǒ houheat control
波折bō zhétwists and turns
见义勇为jiàn yì yǒng wéito see what is right and act courageously (idiom, from Analects); to stand up bravely for the truth
品行pǐn xíngbehavior
合资hé zījoint venture
顺应shùn yìngto comply; to conform to; in tune with; adapting to; to adjust to
紧缺jǐn quēin short supply
挖苦wā kǔto speak sarcastically
苦练kǔ liànto train hard
怨气yuàn qìgrievance
焦距jiāo jùfocal length
洋溢yáng yìbrimming with
立方lì fāngcube (math.)
难为情nán wéi qíngembarrassed
泥潭ní tánquagmire
何苦hé kǔwhy bother?
巴不得bā bu de(coll.) to be eager for
大体上dà tǐ shàngoverall
宝库bǎo kùtreasure-house
忌讳jì huìtaboo
宏观hóng guānmacro-
保修bǎo xiūto promise to keep sth in good repair
神态shén tàiappearance
省事shěng shìto simplify matters; to save trouble
首创shǒu chuàngto create
导火索dǎo huǒ suǒfuse (for explosive)
磨合mó héto break in
喜事xǐ shìhappy occasion
交响乐jiāo xiǎng yuèsymphony
形形色色xíng xíng sè sèall kinds of
投奔tóu bènto seek shelter
瓜子guā zǐmelon seed
hàndrought
谈起tán qǐto mention
画册huà cèpicture album

Lesson 3 Vocabulary (109 words)

HanziPinyinEnglish
调控tiáo kòngto regulate
日前rì qiánthe other day
指手画脚zhǐ shǒu huà jiǎoto gesticulate while talking (idiom)
开发区kāi fā qūdevelopment zone
辞呈cí chéng(written) resignation
泄气xiè qìto leak (gas)
嘲弄cháo nòngto tease
倾销qīng xiāoto dump (goods, products)
来龙去脉lái lóng qù màithe rise and fall of the terrain (idiom)
身不由己shēn bù yóu jǐwithout the freedom to act independently (idiom); involuntary
不平bù pínguneven
相传xiāng chuánto pass on
难说nán shuōhard to tell (i.e. hard to judge or hard to predict)
纪实jì shírecord of actual events
层出不穷céng chū bù qióngmore and more emerge
市场经济shì chǎng jīng jìmarket economy
独唱dú chàng(in singing) solo
就座jiù zuòto take a seat
由来yóu láiorigin
穴位xué wèiacupuncture point
硬朗yìng lǎngrobust
绕行rào xíngto take a circular (or circuitous) route
开场白kāi chǎng báiprologue of play
交纳jiāo nàto pay (taxes or dues)
告状gào zhuàngto tell on sb
过半guò bànover fifty percent
立交桥lì jiāo qiáooverpass
百科全书bǎi kē quán shūencyclopedia
请柬qǐng jiǎninvitation card
说白了shuō bái leto speak frankly
吃苦chī kǔto bear hardships
不难bù nánNot difficult
惊天动地jīng tiān dòng dìworld-shaking (idiom)
通车tōng chēto open to traffic (e.g. new bridge, rail line etc)
珍视zhēn shìto place great importance on
鲜美xiān měidelicious
起劲qǐ jìnenergetic; vigorous; enthusiastic
症结zhēng jiéhard lump in the abdomen (in Chinese medicine)
断断续续duàn duàn xù xùintermittent
水槽shuǐ cáosink
滞后zhì hòuto lag behind
仿制fǎng zhìto copy
本分běn fèn(to play) one's part
统筹tǒng chóuan overall plan
文雅wén yǎelegant
一干二净yī gān èr jìngthoroughly (idiom)
尼龙ní lóngnylon (loanword)
笛子dí zibamboo flute
年限nián xiànage limit
送别sòng biéto farewell
华裔Huá yìethnic Chinese
趁早chèn zǎoas soon as possible
劲头jìn tóuenthusiasm
时隔shí géseparated in time (usu. followed by a quantity of time)
继母jì mǔstepmother
伯父bó fùfather's elder brother
意料之外yì liào zhī wài(idiom) contrary to expectation; unexpected
超车chāo chēto overtake (another car)
无可厚非wú kě hòu fēisee 非
基本功jī běn gōngbasic skills
算盘suàn pánabacus
适量shì liàngappropriate amount
刺骨cì gǔpiercing
麻辣má làhot and numbing
叮嘱dīng zhǔto warn repeatedly
chángluttonous
全长quán chángoverall length
刁难diāo nànto be hard on sb; to deliberately make things difficult
领事馆lǐng shì guǎnconsulate
外籍wài jíforeign (i.e. of foreign nationality)
航天员háng tiān yuánastronaut
不以为然bù yǐ wéi ránnot to accept as correct (idiom); to object
翻番fān fānto double
猖狂chāng kuángsavage
国画guó huàtraditional Chinese painting
juègruff; surly
哆嗦duō suoto tremble
振兴zhèn xīngto revive; to revitalize; to invigorate; to re-energize
奋勇fèn yǒngdauntless
壮丽zhuàng lìmagnificence
沸沸扬扬fèi fèi yáng yángbubbling and gurgling
贫富pín fùpoor and rich
疲惫不堪pí bèi bù kānexhausted
诉苦sù kǔto grumble
土生土长tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎnglocally born and bred
敦促dūn cùto press
孝敬xiào jìngto show filial respect
素养sù yǎng(personal) accomplishment
每逢měi féngevery time
出任chū rènto take up a post; to start in a new job
出道chū dàoto start one's career
人工智能rén gōng zhì néngartificial intelligence (AI)
鸟巢niǎo cháobird's nest
接二连三jiē èr lián sānone after another (idiom)
独身dú shēnunmarried
共性gòng xìngoverall character
一概yī gàiall
亲和力qīn hé lì(personal) warmth
保质期bǎo zhì qīshelf life
供奉gòng fèngto consecrate
尾气wěi qìexhaust; emissions
状元zhuàng yuántop scorer in the palace examination (highest rank of the Imperial examination system)
节俭jié jiǎnfrugal
悦耳yuè ěrsweet-sounding
激化jī huàto intensify
内行nèi hángexpert
屡次lǚ cìrepeatedly
窟窿kū longhole
错综复杂cuò zōng fù zátangled and complicated (idiom)

Lesson 4 Vocabulary (109 words)

HanziPinyinEnglish
魄力pò lìcourage
逾期yú qīto be overdue
风貌fēng màostyle
供求gōng qiúsupply and demand (economics)
年迈nián màiold
睡袋shuì dàisleeping bag
神气shén qìexpression
勤快qín kuàidiligent; hardworking
精妙jīng miàoexquisite
生硬shēng yìngstiff
国情guó qíngthe characteristics and circumstances particular to a country
供不应求gōng bù yìng qiúsupply does not meet demand
话费huà fèicall charge
乖巧guāi qiǎoclever (child)
邻国lín guóbordering country
避暑bì shǔto be away for the summer holidays
元宵节Yuán xiāo jiéLantern Festival, the final event of the Spring Festival 春节, on 15th of first month of the lunar calendar
绝缘jué yuánto have no contact with
万万wàn wànabsolutely
看热闹kàn rè naoto enjoy watching a bustling scene
苗头miáo toufirst signs
浩劫hào jiécalamity
缤纷bīn fēnvast and various
段落duàn luòphase
畅谈chàng tánto talk freely
热腾腾rè téng téngsteaming hot
喧哗xuān huáhubbub
文具wén jùstationery
富含fù hánto contain in great quantities
不了了之bù liǎo liǎo zhīto settle a matter by leaving it unsettled
祭奠jì diànto offer sacrifices (to one's ancestors)
换位huàn wèito swap places
整数zhěng shùwhole number
第一线dì yī xiànfront line
传人chuán rénto teach
赞许zàn xǔto praise
饶恕ráo shùto forgive
蓬勃péng bóvigorous; flourishing; full of vitality
竣工jùn gōngto complete a project
水温shuǐ wēnwater temperature
涵义hán yìcontent
占卜zhān bǔto divine
燃放rán fàngto light
甚至于shèn zhì yúso much (that)
客运kè yùnpassenger transportation
民俗mín súpopular custom
夜校yè xiàoevening school
轮换lún huànto rotate; to take turns
棱角léng jiǎoedge and corner
贮藏zhù cángto store up
切身qiè shēndirect
全文quán wénentire text
相依为命xiāng yī wéi mìngmutually dependent for life (idiom); to rely upon one another for survival
赞不绝口zàn bù jué kǒuto praise without cease (idiom); praise sb to high heaven
俗语sú yǔcommon saying
标榜biāo bǎngto flaunt
玄机xuán jīprofound theory (in Daoism and Buddhism)
鞭策biān cèto spur on
境外jìng wàioutside (a country's) borders
拜见bài jiànto pay a formal visit
敢情gǎn qingactually
攻读gōng dúto major (in a field)
归纳guī nàto sum up
慈祥cí xiángkindly
过硬guò yìngto have perfect mastery of sth
怠慢dài mànto slight
荡漾dàng yàngto ripple
形影不离xíng yǐng bù líinseparable (as form and shadow)
揣测chuǎi cèto guess
把关bǎ guānto guard a pass
茅台酒máo tái jiǔmaotai (a Chinese liquor)
苦力kǔ lìbitter work
光碟guāng diéoptical disc
恍然大悟huǎng rán dà wùto suddenly realize
遇险yù xiǎnto get into difficulties
不相上下bù xiāng shàng xiàequally matched
少林寺Shào lín SìShaolin Temple, Buddhist monastery famous for its kung fu monks
红润hóng rùnruddy
未知数wèi zhī shùunknown quantity
爆满bào mǎnfilled to capacity (of theater, stadium, gymnasium etc)
骨气gǔ qìunyielding character
冒昧mào mèibold
庙会miào huìtemple fair
下期xià qīnext period (week, month or quarter etc)
退让tuì ràngto move aside
zǎo(bound form) jujube; Chinese date (Zizyphus jujuba)
一系列yī xì lièa series of
文科wén kēliberal arts
伯伯bó bofather's elder brother
辽阔liáo kuòvast; extensive
酿造niàng zàoto brew
翻来覆去fān lái fù qùto toss and turn (sleeplessly)
操劳cāo láoto work hard
试用期shì yòng qītrial period
礁石jiāo shíreef
筹措chóu cuòto raise (money)
不像话bù xiàng huàunreasonable
兼任jiān rènto hold several jobs at once
差额chā ébalance (financial)
食宿shí sùboard and lodging
要强yào qiángeager to excel
逊色xùn sèinferior (often in the combination 毫无逊色, not in the least inferior)
出丑chū chǒushameful
野餐yě cānpicnic
着力zhuó lìto put effort into sth
笨重bèn zhòngheavy
纲领gāng lǐngprogram (i.e. plan of action)
归根到底guī gēn dào dǐafter all
耗时hào shítime-consuming

Lesson 5 Vocabulary (109 words)

HanziPinyinEnglish
空想kōng xiǎngdaydream
立功lì gōngto render meritorious service (one the three imperishables 朽)
眼红yǎn hóngto covet
遗愿yí yuànfinal wishes of the departed
下调xià diàoto demote
野营yě yíngto camp
富足fù zúrich
特例tè lìspecial case
共同体gòng tóng tǐcommunity
kuàto carry (esp. slung over the arm, shoulder or side)
半途而废bàn tú ér fèito give up halfway (idiom); leave sth unfinished
熏陶xūn táoto seep in
后顾之忧hòu gù zhī yōufears of trouble in the rear (idiom); family worries (obstructing freedom of action)
埋没mái mòto engulf
无不wú bùnone lacking
zhǔto lean on
外贸wài màoforeign trade
根深蒂固gēn shēn dì gùdeep-rooted (problem etc)
评论员píng lùn yuáncommentator
循序渐进xún xù jiàn jìnin sequence, step by step (idiom); to make steady progress incrementally
公费gōng fèiat public expense
猎犬liè quǎnhound
造价zào jiàconstruction cost
分寸fēn cunpropriety
忠贞zhōng zhēnloyal and dependable
谜语mí yǔriddle
多功能duō gōng néngmultifunctional
苦笑kǔ xiàoto force a smile
按理说àn lǐ shuōit is reasonable to say that...
休眠xiū miánto be dormant (biology)
照例zhào lìas a rule
心安理得xīn ān lǐ déto have a clear conscience
船舶chuán bóshipping
衰弱shuāi ruòweak
不翼而飞bù yì ér fēito disappear without trace
免职miǎn zhíto relieve sb of his post
无微不至wú wēi bù zhìin every possible way (idiom); meticulous
吹捧chuī pěngto flatter
篇幅piān fulength (of a piece of writing)
牵头qiān tóuto lead (an animal by the head)
表率biǎo shuàiexample
徐徐xú xúslowly
一晃yī huǎng(of passing time) in an instant
污秽wū huìnasty
没辙méi zhéat one's wit's end
秀丽xiù lìpretty; beautiful
司空见惯sī kōng jiàn guàna common occurrence (idiom)
风风雨雨fēng fēng yǔ yǔtrials and tribulations
下旬xià xúnlast third of the month
内向nèi xiàngreserved (personality)
纵然zòng ráneven if
喜怒哀乐xǐ nù āi lèfour types of human emotions, namely: happiness 欢喜, anger 愤怒, sorrow 哀 and joy 快乐
并行bìng xíngto proceed in parallel
骏马jùn mǎfine horse
鉴赏jiàn shǎngto appreciate (as a connoisseur)
挂钩guà gōuto couple; to link; to hook together
独立自主dú lì zì zhǔindependent and autonomous (idiom); self-determination
灼热zhuó rèburning hot; scorching
微观wēi guānmicro-
过意不去guò yì bù qùto feel very apologetic
缆车lǎn chēcable car
嫁妆jià zhuangdowry
倾家荡产qīng jiā dàng chǎnto lose a family fortune (idiom)
不亦乐乎bù yì lè hūlit. isn't that a joy? (quote from Confucius)
挨家挨户āi jiā āi hùto go from house to house
佳节jiā jiéfestive day
松绑sōng bǎngto untie
伤脑筋shāng nǎo jīnto be a real headache
月票yuè piàomonthly ticket
无精打采wú jīng dǎ cǎidispirited and downcast (idiom); listless
瓜分guā fēnto partition
文人wén rénscholar
冗长rǒng chánglong and tedious
红薯hóng shǔsweet potato
边远biān yuǎnfar from the center
寓言yù yánfable
爱不释手ài bù shì shǒu(idiom) to like sth so much that one is reluctant to put it down; to find sth utterly irresistible
误区wù qūmistaken ideas
气魄qì pòspirit
底子dǐ zibase
摇摇欲坠yáo yáo yù zhuìtottering
艳丽yàn lìgorgeous
辛酸xīn suānpungent (taste)
海运hǎi yùnshipping by sea
一声不吭yī shēng bù kēngto not say a word
封顶fēng dǐngto put a roof (on a building)
长足cháng zúremarkable (progress, improvement, expansion etc)
功底gōng dǐtraining in the basic skills
退却tuì quèto retreat
凯歌kǎi gētriumphal hymn
引人入胜yǐn rén rù shèngto enchant
凸显tū xiǎnto present clearly
铲子chǎn zishovel
商贩shāng fàntrader
以身作则yǐ shēn zuò zéto set an example (idiom); to serve as a model
丘陵qiū línghills
要领yào lǐngmain aspects
附和fù hèto agree
发扬光大fā yáng guāng dàto develop and promote
失传shī chuán(of skills etc) to die out
无足轻重wú zú qīng zhònginsignificant
订立dìng lìto conclude (treaty, contract, agreement etc)
味精wèi jīngmonosodium glutamate (MSG)
亏本kuī běnto make a loss
两口子liǎng kǒu zihusband and wife
合作社hé zuò shècooperative
竹竿zhú gānbamboo
纬度wěi dùlatitude
勾画gōu huàto sketch out

Lesson 6 Vocabulary (109 words)

HanziPinyinEnglish
换言之huàn yán zhīin other words
胸有成竹xiōng yǒu chéng zhú(idiom) to have a well thought out plan in mind
居高临下jū gāo lín xiàlit. to be in a high location, overlooking the scene below (idiom)
粽子zòng ziglutinous rice and choice of filling wrapped in leaves and steamed or boiled
铺路pū lùto pave (with paving stones)
胜出shèng chūto come out on top
老汉lǎo hànold man
疏导shū dǎoto dredge
指南针zhǐ nán zhēncompass
收复shōu fùto recover (lost territory etc)
伯母bó mǔwife of father's elder brother
串门chuàn ménto call on sb
触觉chù juésense of touch; tactile sensation
伸缩shēn suōto lengthen and shorten
山川shān chuānmountains and rivers
长征cháng zhēngexpedition
养生yǎng shēngto maintain good health
侧重cè zhòngto place particular emphasis on
拙劣zhuō lièclumsy
产值chǎn zhívalue of output
赡养shàn yǎngto support
深入人心shēn rù rén xīnto enter deeply into people's hearts
触目惊心chù mù jīng xīnlit. shocks the eye, astonishes the heart (idiom); shocking
阿拉伯语Ā lā bó yǔArabic (language)
孪生luán shēng(adj.) twin
异想天开yì xiǎng tiān kāito imagine the wildest thing
晃荡huàng dangto rock
与日俱增yǔ rì jù zēngto increase steadily
韧性rèn xìngtoughness
姥爷lǎo yematernal grandfather (dialectal)
教条jiào tiáodoctrine
哭笑不得kū xiào bù délit. not to know whether to laugh or cry (idiom)
心病xīn bìnganxiety
钳子qián zipliers
心慌xīn huāngto be flustered
兢兢业业jīng jīng yè yè(idiom) conscientious
波涛bō tāogreat waves
殷勤yīn qínpolitely
毅然yì ránfirmly
景区jǐng qūscenic area
菜市场cài shì chǎngfood market
争先恐后zhēng xiān kǒng hòustriving to be first and fearing to be last (idiom); outdoing one another
赫然hè ránwith astonishment
威慑wēi shèto cower by military force
雷同léi tóngmirroring others
出风头chū fēng touto push oneself forward
输家shū jiāloser (as opposed to winner 赢家)
中庸zhōng yōnggolden mean (Confucianism)
阎王Yán wáng(Buddhism) Yama, the King of Hell
小康xiǎo kāngmoderately affluent
叫板jiào bǎnto signal the musicians (in Chinese opera, by prolonging a spoken word before attacking a song)
异口同声yì kǒu tóng shēngdifferent mouths, same voice
成才chéng cáito make sth of oneself
揣摩chuǎi móto analyze
公安局gōng ān júpublic security bureau (government office similar in function to a police station)
密不可分mì bù kě fēninextricably linked (idiom)
五花八门wǔ huā bā ménmyriad
火辣辣huǒ là làpainful heat
取经qǔ jīngto journey to India on a quest for the Buddhist scriptures
口吃kǒu chīto stammer; to stutter
目不转睛mù bù zhuǎn jīngunable to take one's eyes off (idiom); to gaze steadily
连绵lián miáncontinuous
惩处chéng chǔto punish
暴利bào lìsudden huge profits
原汁原味yuán zhī yuán wèioriginal
苦心kǔ xīnpainstaking effort
一揽子yī lǎn ziall-inclusive
卫视wèi shìsatellite TV (abbr. for 卫星电视)
浮躁fú zàofickle and impatient
精疲力竭jīng pí lì jiéspirit weary, strength exhausted (idiom); spent
廉洁lián jiéincorruptible; unbribable; honest
柳树liǔ shùwillow
欢声笑语huān shēng xiào yǔcheers and laughter
舵手duò shǒuhelmsman
分外fèn wàiexceptionally
边疆biān jiāngborder area
酷似kù sìto strikingly resemble
质朴zhì pǔsimple
酒楼jiǔ lóurestaurant
推敲tuī qiāoto think over
duòload carried by a pack animal
广义guǎng yìbroad sense
隐情yǐn qíngsth one wishes to keep secret
易拉罐yì lā guànpull-top can
接班jiē bānto take over (from those working the previous shift)
肥沃féi wòfertile
淡季dàn jìoff season
浓重nóng zhòngdense
日新月异rì xīn yuè yìdaily renewal, monthly change (idiom)
推辞tuī cíto decline (an appointment, invitation etc)
志气zhì qìambition
生命线shēng mìng xiànlifeline
夜以继日yè yǐ jì rìnight and day (idiom); continuous strenuous effort
郊游jiāo yóuto go for an outing
反差fǎn chācontrast; discrepancy
茂盛mào shènglush
励志lì zhìto pursue a goal with determination
骇人听闻hài rén tīng wénshocking
晶莹jīng yíngsparkling and translucent
便道biàn dàopavement
呼应hū yìngto conform (with)
出土chū tǔto dig up
好客hào kèhospitality
不服bù fúnot to accept sth
挂号guà hàoto register (at a hospital etc)
自相矛盾zì xiāng máo dùnto contradict oneself
罢免bà miǎnto remove sb from their post
圣贤shèng xiána sage
脊梁jǐ liángbackbone

Lesson 7 Vocabulary (109 words)

HanziPinyinEnglish
求学qiú xuéto seek knowledge
居民楼jū mín lóuapartment building
两栖liǎng qīamphibious
帘子lián zicurtain
衰减shuāi jiǎnto weaken
宽厚kuān hòutolerant
祖传zǔ chuánpassed on from ancestors
浏览器liú lǎn qìbrowser (software)
艰苦奋斗jiān kǔ fèn dòuto struggle arduously
急转弯jí zhuǎn wānto make a sudden turn
拍板pāi bǎnclapper-board
相对而言xiāng duì ér yánrelatively speaking
拜年bài niánto pay a New Year call
古今中外gǔ jīn zhōng wàiat all times and in all places (idiom)
计策jì cèstratagem
惊诧jīng chàto be surprised
夜市yè shìnight market
谈不上tán bu shàngto be out of the question
抚养费fǔ yǎng fèichild support payment (after a divorce)
水稻shuǐ dàorice
牧民mù mínherdsman
接轨jiē guǐrailtrack connection
腐化fǔ huàto rot
蚊帐wén zhàngmosquito net
温度计wēn dù jìthermometer
作客zuò kèto live somewhere as a visitor; to stay with sb as a guest; to sojourn
妨害fáng hàito jeopardize
耍赖shuǎ làito act shamelessly
持之以恒chí zhī yǐ héngto pursue unremittingly (idiom); to persevere
家境jiā jìngfamily financial situation
彬彬有礼bīn bīn yǒu lǐrefined and courteous
药材yào cáimedicinal ingredient
拉动lā dòngto pull
秀美xiù měielegant
出主意chū zhǔ yito come up with ideas
树荫shù yīnshade of a tree
恼羞成怒nǎo xiū chéng nùto fly into a rage out of humiliation
自私自利zì sī zì lìeverything for self and selfish profit (idiom); with no regard for others
喜出望外xǐ chū wàng wàito be pleased beyond one's expectations (idiom)
股民gǔ mínstock investor
笼统lǒng tǒnggeneral
吃喝玩乐chī hē wán lèto eat, drink and be merry (idiom)
了却liǎo quèto resolve
比比皆是bǐ bǐ jiē shìcan be found everywhere
光缆guāng lǎnoptical cable
主食zhǔ shístaple food
落差luò chādrop in elevation
建树jiàn shùto make a contribution
马戏mǎ xìcircus
斧子fǔ ziaxe
这样一来zhè yàng yī láithus
急迫jí pòurgent
长期以来cháng qī yǐ láifor a long time
海量hǎi liànghuge volume
聘任pìn rènto appoint (to a position)
扫墓sǎo mùto sweep a grave (and pay one's respects to the dead person)
容光焕发róng guāng huàn fāface glowing (idiom); looking radiant
预售yù shòuto sell in advance
弄虚作假nòng xū zuò jiǎto practice fraud (idiom); by trickery
管理费guǎn lǐ fèimanagement fee
改版gǎi bǎnto revise the current edition
喜糖xǐ tángsweet given on a happy occasion (esp. wedding)
下坠xià zhuì(of objects) to fall
自费zì fèiat one's own expense
集邮jí yóustamp collecting
探求tàn qiúto seek
侍候shì hòuto serve
得不偿失dé bù cháng shīthe gains do not make up for the losses (idiom)
年画nián huàNew Year (Spring Festival) picture
出山chū shānto leave the mountain (of a hermit)
贯通guàn tōngto link up
翠绿cuì lǜgreenish-blue
试行shì xíngto try out
审定shěn dìngto examine sth and make a decision
陪葬péi zàngto be buried with or next to dead person (of deceased's partner, or of funerary objects)
重合chóng héto match up
耐人寻味nài rén xún wèithought-provoking
天经地义tiān jīng dì yìlit. heaven's law and earth's principle (idiom); fig. right and proper
茂密mào mìdense (of plant growth)
纯朴chún pǔvariant of 淳朴
艰险jiān xiǎndifficult and dangerous
久仰jiǔ yǎnghonorific: I've long looked forward to meeting you.
中国画Zhōng guó huàChinese painting
恰如其分qià rú qí fèn(idiom) appropriate
请帖qǐng tiěinvitation card
寥寥无几liáo liáo wú jǐjust a very few (idiom); tiny number
工序gōng xùworking procedure
佐料zuǒ liàocondiments
夸耀kuā yàoto brag about
猜谜cāi míto answer a riddle
拜会bài huì(often used in the context of diplomacy) to meet with; to pay a visit to; to call on
温习wēn xíto review (a lesson etc)
伸张shēn zhāngto uphold (e.g. justice or virtue)
老字号lǎo zì hàoshop, firm, or brand of merchandise with a long-established reputation
熙熙攘攘xī xī rǎng rǎngbustling with activity (idiom)
香油xiāng yóusesame oil
僵化jiāng huàto become rigid
平价píng jiàreasonably priced
滑梯huá tī(children's) sliding board
死心塌地sǐ xīn tā dìto be hell-bent on
无可奉告wú kě fèng gào(idiom) 'no comment'
簇拥cù yōngto crowd around
网点wǎng diǎn(computing) node in a network
撤换chè huànto dismiss and replace (sb)
chānto take by the arm and assist
欢聚huān jùto get together socially
出毛病chū máo bìnga problem appears
大棚dà pénggreenhouse
概况gài kuànggeneral situation

Lesson 8 Vocabulary (109 words)

HanziPinyinEnglish
耳熟能详ěr shú néng xiángwhat's frequently heard can be repeated in detail (idiom)
起程qǐ chéngto set out
顾不得gù bu deunable to change sth
讥笑jī xiàoto sneer
清脆qīng cuìsharp and clear
瞻仰zhān yǎngto revere
耸立sǒng lìto stand tall
掉队diào duìto fall behind
恩情ēn qíngkindness
商贾shāng gǔmerchant
治学zhì xuéscholarship
大同小异dà tóng xiǎo yìvirtually the same
磋商cuō shāngto consult
折合zhé héto convert into
奸诈jiān zhàtreachery
开垦kāi kěnto clear a wild area for cultivation
一应俱全yī yīng jù quánwith everything needed available
huáto play Chinese finger-guessing game
主题歌zhǔ tí gētheme song
学堂xué tángcollege
太极拳tài jí quánshadowboxing or Taiji, T'aichi or T'aichichuan
防疫fáng yìto prevent epidemics
素不相识sù bù xiāng shíto be total strangers (idiom)
重中之重zhòng zhōng zhī zhòngof the utmost importance
谋害móu hàito conspire to murder
面面俱到miàn miàn jù dào(idiom) take care of everything; handle everything
呼风唤雨hū fēng huàn yǔto call the wind and summon the rain (idiom); to exercise magical powers
精打细算jīng dǎ xì suànmeticulous planning and careful accounting (idiom)
一筹莫展yī chóu mò zhǎnto be unable to find a solution
砂糖shā tánggranulated sugar
潜移默化qián yí mò huàimperceptible influence
富强fù qiángrich and powerful
目中无人mù zhōng wú rénto consider everyone else beneath one (idiom); so arrogant that no-one else matters
函授hán shòuto teach by correspondence
历届lì jièall previous (meetings, sessions etc)
痴心chī xīninfatuation
竞相jìng xiāngcompetitive
无所作为wú suǒ zuò wéiattempting nothing and accomplishing nothing (idiom); without any initiative or drive
纲要gāng yàooutline
成群结队chéng qún jié duìmaking up a group, forming a troupe (idiom); in large numbers
旭日xù rìthe rising sun
争光zhēng guāngto win an honor
呜咽wū yèto sob
回落huí luòto fall back
此起彼伏cǐ qǐ bǐ fúup here, down there (idiom); to rise and fall in succession
宽泛kuān fànwide-ranging
汪洋wāng yángvast body of water
灵机一动líng jī yī dònga bright idea suddenly occurs (idiom); to hit upon an inspiration
聚精会神jù jīng huì shénto concentrate one's attention (idiom)
划时代huà shí dàiepoch-marking
驰名chí míngfamous
踏上tà shàngto set foot on
因人而异yīn rén ér yìvarying from person to person (idiom); different for each individual
旷课kuàng kèto play truant
不利于bù lìyúis harmful to
稍候shāo hòuto wait a moment
义工yì gōngvolunteer worker
蕴涵yùn hánto contain
不约而同bù yuē ér tóngto agree by chance (idiom); taking the same action without prior consultation
旱灾hàn zāidrought
古朴gǔ pǔsimple and unadorned (of art, architecture etc)
出难题chū nán títo raise a tough question
亡羊补牢wáng yáng bǔ láolit. to mend the pen after sheep are lost (idiom)
哺育bǔ yùto feed
按说àn shuōin the ordinary course of events; ordinarily; normally
欣欣向荣xīn xīn xiàng róng(idiom) flourishing
心急如焚xīn jí rú fénto burn with impatience
官吏guān lìbureaucrat
千家万户qiān jiā wàn hùevery family (idiom)
备课bèi kè(of a teacher) to prepare lessons
走后门zǒu hòu ménlit. to enter by the back door
守株待兔shǒu zhū dài tùlit. to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbits (idiom)
改为gǎi wéito change into
落户luò hùto settle
怜惜lián xīto take pity on
师长shī zhǎngmilitary division level commander
惨白cǎn báideathly pale
碧绿bì lǜdark green
不辞而别bù cí ér biéto leave without saying good-bye
清明qīng míngclear and bright
常温cháng wēnroom temperature
骤然zhòu ránsuddenly
哗然huá ránin uproar
忙乱máng luànrushed and muddled
美中不足měi zhōng bù zúeverything is fine except for one small defect (idiom); the fly in the ointment
不假思索bù jiǎ sī suǒ(idiom) to act without taking time to think; to react instantly; to fire from the hip
豁达huò dáoptimistic
防盗门fáng dào ménsecurity door
见外jiàn wàito treat sb with the formal courtesy accorded to a host or a guest
烦闷fán mènmoody; gloomy
借条jiè tiáoreceipt for a loan
前无古人qián wú gǔ rén(idiom) unprecedented
朝代cháo dàidynasty
朝夕相处zhāo xī xiāng chǔto spend all one's time together (idiom)
诞辰dàn chénbirthday
碍事ài shìto be in the way; to be a hindrance
混浊hùn zhuóturbid
僻静pì jìnglonely
小曲xiǎo qǔpopular song
纵深zòng shēndepth (from front to rear)
萌发méng fāto sprout
堤坝dī bàdam
月初yuè chūstart of month
风和日丽fēng hé rì lìmoderate wind, beautiful sun (idiom); fine sunny weather, esp. in springtime
学艺xué yìto learn a skill or art
洗涤剂xǐ dí jìcleaning agent
家家户户jiā jiā hù hùeach and every family (idiom)
大有可为dà yǒu kě wéiwith great prospects for the future (idiom); well worth doing
偏方piān fāngfolk remedy

Lesson 9 Vocabulary (109 words)

HanziPinyinEnglish
底蕴dǐ yùninside information
增收zēng shōuto increase revenue
依依不舍yī yī bù shěreluctant to part (idiom); broken-hearted at having to leave
可乘之机kě chéng zhī jīan opportunity that someone (usually a villain or adversary) can exploit
一鼓作气yī gǔ zuò qìin a spurt of energy
害臊hài sàoto be bashful
东张西望dōng zhāng xī wàngto look in all directions (idiom)
络绎不绝luò yì bù jué(idiom) continuously; in an endless stream
物流wù liúdistribution (business)
挂失guà shīto report the loss of something
硕果shuò guǒmajor achievement
秧歌yāng geYangge, a popular rural folk dance
红眼hóng yǎnto become infuriated
畏缩wèi suōto cower
多心duō xīnoversensitive
杂乱无章zá luàn wú zhāngdisordered and in a mess (idiom); all mixed up and chaotic
举世闻名jǔ shì wén míngworld-famous (idiom)
愁眉苦脸chóu méi kǔ liǎnto look anxious (idiom)
粗心大意cū xīn dà yìnegligent
争分夺秒zhēng fēn duó miǎolit. fight minutes, snatch seconds (idiom); a race against time
龙舟lóng zhōudragon boat
垂头丧气chuí tóu sàng qìhanging one's head dispiritedly (idiom); dejected
弊病bì bìngmalady
化纤huà xiānsynthetic fiber
东道主dōng dào zhǔhost
壮胆zhuàng dǎnto get one’s courage up
世袭shì xísuccession
农历nóng lìthe traditional Chinese calendar
珍重zhēn zhòngprecious
夸夸其谈kuā kuā qí tánto talk big
下乡xià xiāngto go to the countryside
举世瞩目jǔ shì zhǔ mùto receive worldwide attention
弘扬hóng yángto enhance
同人tóng rénpeople from the same workplace or profession
刚毅gāng yìresolute
化险为夷huà xiǎn wéi yíto turn peril into safety (idiom); to avert disaster
联欢lián huānto have a get-together
俊俏jùn qiàoattractive and intelligent
刮风guā fēngto be windy
走过场zǒu guò chǎngto go through the motions
扣人心弦kòu rén xīn xiánto excite
光明磊落guāng míng lěi luòopen and candid (idiom); straightforward and upright
千钧一发qiān jūn yī fàa thousand pounds hangs by a thread (idiom)
酌情zhuó qíngto use discretion
千变万化qiān biàn wàn huàcountless changes
朝气蓬勃zhāo qì péng bófull of youthful energy (idiom); vigorous
一个劲儿yī gè jìn rerhua variant of 一个劲
搞鬼gǎo guǐto make mischief
诚心诚意chéng xīn chéng yìearnestly and sincerely (idiom); with all sincerity
瑰宝guī bǎogem
立方米lì fāng mǐcubic meter (unit of volume)
公开信gōng kāi xìnopen letter
说不上shuō bu shàngto be unable to say or tell
带头人dài tóu rénleader
一技之长yī jì zhī chángproficiency in a particular field (idiom)
欠条qiàn tiáoIOU
同舟共济tóng zhōu gòng jìcross a river in the same boat (idiom); fig. having common interests
自强不息zì qiáng bù xīto strive unremittingly
堆砌duī qìlit. to pile up (bricks)
旗袍qí páoChinese-style dress
说情shuō qíngto intercede
精益求精jīng yì qiú jīngto perfect sth that is already outstanding (idiom); constantly improving
耻笑chǐ xiàoto sneer at sb
跑龙套pǎo lóng tàoto play a small role
从容不迫cóng róng bù pòcalm
稠密chóu mìdense
长达cháng dáto extend as long as
洪亮hóng liàngloud and clear
峰回路转fēng huí lù zhuǎnthe mountain road twists around each new peak (idiom)
嬉笑xī xiàoto be laughing and playing
鹤立鸡群hè lì jī qúna crane in a flock of chicken (idiom); way above the common
风沙fēng shāsand blown by wind
大大咧咧dà dà liē liēcarefree; offhand; casual
高新技术gāo xīn jì shùhigh tech
喜洋洋xǐ yáng yángradiant with joy
假使jiǎ shǐif
讲学jiǎng xuéto lecture (on branch of learning)
学子xué zǐ(literary) student
工整gōng zhěngfine work
荷花hé huālotus
提速tí sùto increase the specified cruising speed
变幻莫测biàn huàn mò cèto change unpredictably
求医qiú yīto seek medical treatment
理直气壮lǐ zhí qì zhuàngin the right and self-confident (idiom); bold and confident with justice on one's side
由此可见yóu cǐ kě jiànfrom this, it can be seen that...
沿线yán xiànalong the line (e.g. railway)
水货shuǐ huòsmuggled goods
树梢shù shāothe tip of a tree; treetop
矿藏kuàng cángmineral resources
火暴huǒ bàovariant of 爆
综上所述zōng shàng suǒ shùto summarize
旋涡xuán wōspiral
一年到头yī nián dào tóuall year round
漠然mò ránindifferent
一言一行yī yán yī xíngevery word and action (idiom)
沉甸甸chén diàn diànheavy
半边天bàn biān tiānhalf the sky
足智多谋zú zhì duō móuresourceful
似是而非sì shì ér fēiapparently right but actually wrong; specious (idiom)
人次rén cìperson-times
改邪归正gǎi xié guī zhèngto mend one's ways (idiom)
敬而远之jìng ér yuǎn zhīto show respect from a distance (idiom)
磁卡cí kǎmagnetic card
柏树bǎi shùcypress tree
贺电hè diàncongratulatory telegram
娇气jiāo qìdelicate
农民工nóng mín gōngmigrant worker (who moved from a rural area of China to a city to find work)
锦旗jǐn qísilk banner (as an award or gift)
衣食住行yī shí zhù xíngclothing, food, housing and transport (idiom); people's basic needs

Lesson 10 Vocabulary (109 words)

HanziPinyinEnglish
多边duō biānmultilateral
祖籍zǔ jíancestral hometown
浮力fú lìbuoyancy
能耗néng hàoenergy consumption
犯愁fàn chóuto worry
脉络mài luòarteries and veins
津津有味jīn jīn yǒu wèiwith keen interest (idiom)
泼冷水pō lěng shuǐto pour cold water on
定心丸dìng xīn wántranquilizer
to steep (tea)
嫦娥Cháng éChang'e, the lady in the moon (Chinese mythology)
烘托hōng tuōbackground (of a painting)
不亚于bù yà yúno less than
山岭shān lǐngmountain ridge
踊跃yǒng yuèto leap
强占qiáng zhànto occupy by force
醇厚chún hòumellow and rich
丰硕fēng shuòplentiful; substantial; rich (in resources etc)
观感guān gǎnone's impressions
炉灶lú zàostove
改日gǎi rìanother day
错别字cuò bié zìincorrectly written or mispronounced characters
侠义xiá yìchivalrous
临街lín jiēfacing the street
相辅相成xiāng fǔ xiāng chéngto complement one another (idiom)
建交jiàn jiāoto establish diplomatic relations
分赃fēn zāngto share the booty; to divide ill-gotten gains
繁体字fán tǐ zìtraditional Chinese character
勤工俭学qín gōng jiǎn xuéto work part time while studying
头头是道tóu tóu shì dàoclear and logical
打岔dǎ chàinterruption
车轴chē zhóuaxle
国徽guó huīnational emblem
夺魁duó kuíto seize
慰劳wèi láoto show appreciation (by kind words, small gifts etc)
半信半疑bàn xìn bàn yíhalf doubting
工科gōng kēengineering as an academic subject
上旬shàng xúnfirst third of a month
譬如说pì rú shuōfor example
壮实zhuàng shirobust
俯首fǔ shǒuto bend one's head
渣子zhā zidregs
兆头zhào touomen
讹诈é zhàto extort under false pretenses
无恶不作wú è bù zuònot to shrink from any crime (idiom); to commit any imaginable misdeed
水涨船高shuǐ zhǎng chuán gāothe tide rises, the boat floats (idiom); fig. to change with the overall trend
得天独厚dé tiān dú hòublessed by heaven (idiom)
秉承bǐng chéngto take orders
华侨Huá qiáooverseas Chinese
顾全大局gù quán dà júto take the big picture into consideration (idiom)
开天辟地kāi tiān pì dìto split heaven and earth apart (idiom); refers to the Pangu 盘古 creation myth
无形中wú xíng zhōngimperceptibly
远近闻名yuǎn jìn wén míngto be known far and wide
过奖guò jiǎngto overpraise
钻空子zuān kòng zito take advantage of a loophole; to exploit an advantage; to seize the opportunity (esp. to do sth bad)
恋恋不舍liàn liàn bù shěreluctant to part
七嘴八舌qī zuǐ bā shélively discussion with everybody talking at once
众志成城zhòng zhì chéng chéngunity of will is an impregnable stronghold (idiom)
会意huì yìcombined ideogram (one of the Six Methods 六书 of forming Chinese characters)
说闲话shuō xián huàto chat
积淀jī diàndeposits accumulated over long periods
逞能chěng néngto show off one's ability
喜酒xǐ jiǔwedding feast
交头接耳jiāo tóu jiē ěrto whisper to one another's ear
阔绰kuò chuòostentatious
仙鹤xiān hèred-crowned crane (Grus japonensis)
有声有色yǒu shēng yǒu sèhaving sound and color (idiom); vivid
左顾右盼zuǒ gù yòu pànglancing to left and right (idiom); to look all around
私房钱sī fáng qiánsecret purse
活期huó qī(banking) current (account)
杠铃gàng língbarbell
经度jīng dùlongitude
面红耳赤miàn hóng ěr chìflushed with anger (or excitement)
废寝忘食fèi qǐn wàng shíto neglect sleep and forget about food (idiom)
任人宰割rèn rén zǎi gēto get trampled on (idiom)
戈壁Gē bìGobi (desert)
捉迷藏zhuō mí cángto play hide-and-seek
诀别jué biéto bid farewell
禾苗hé miáoseedling (of rice or other grain)
门当户对mén dāng hù duìthe families are well-matched in terms of social status (idiom)
一锅粥yī guō zhōu(lit.) a pot of porridge
川流不息chuān liú bù xīthe stream flows without stopping (idiom); unending flow
絮叨xù daolong-winded
廉政lián zhèngto govern with integrity
杨树yáng shùpoplar tree
对弈duì yìto play go, chess etc
鸦雀无声yā què wú shēnglit. crow and peacock make no sound
千军万马qiān jūn wàn mǎmagnificent army with thousands of men and horses (idiom); impressive display of manpower
哄堂大笑hōng táng dà xiàothe whole room roaring with laughter (idiom)
客流kè liúpassenger flow
可歌可泣kě gē kě qìlit. you can sing or you can cry (idiom); fig. deeply moving
举世无双jǔ shì wú shuāngunrivaled (idiom); world number one
盛气凌人shèng qì líng rénoverbearing
心灵手巧xīn líng shǒu qiǎocapable
马后炮mǎ hòu pàolit. firing after the horse
爱面子ài miàn zito like to look good in the eyes of others; sensitive about how one is regarded by others; proud
横七竖八héng qī shù bāin disorder
孤陋寡闻gū lòu guǎ wénignorant and inexperienced
赐教cì jiào(honorific) to impart one's wisdom
接济jiē jìto give material assistance to
吵嘴chǎo zuǐto quarrel
师资shī zīqualified teacher
眉开眼笑méi kāi yǎn xiàobrows raised in delight, eyes laughing (idiom); beaming with joy
斩草除根zhǎn cǎo chú gēnto cut weeds and eliminate the roots (idiom); to destroy root and branch
前赴后继qián fù hòu jìto advance dauntlessly in wave upon wave (idiom)
平常心píng cháng xīnlevelheadedness
岂有此理qǐ yǒu cǐ lǐhow can this be so? (idiom); preposterous
彩霞cǎi xiáclouds tinged with sunset hues
画龙点睛huà lóng diǎn jīngto paint a dragon and dot in the eyes (idiom); fig. to add the vital finishing touch

Lesson 11 Vocabulary (109 words)

HanziPinyinEnglish
精练jīng liàn(textiles) to scour
栋梁dòng liángridgepole
攻关gōng guānto storm a strategic pass
走弯路zǒu wān lùto take an indirect route
见仁见智jiàn rén jiàn zhìopinions differ (idiom)
发愣fā lèngto stare blankly; to be in a daze
国学guó xuéChinese national culture
画蛇添足huà shé tiān zúlit. draw legs on a snake (idiom); fig. to ruin the effect by adding sth superfluous
酣睡hān shuìto sleep soundly
对联duì liánrhyming couplet
茶道chá dàoJapanese tea ceremony
泰斗tài dǒu(abbr. for 斗) distinguished figure
暴风骤雨bào fēng zhòu yǔviolent wind and rainstorm
瑞雪ruì xuětimely snow
一概而论yī gài ér lùnto lump different matters together (idiom)
大雁dà yànwild goose
经贸jīng màotrade
潦草liáo cǎoslipshod; careless; slovenly
互信hù xìnmutual trust
乔装qiáo zhuāngto pretend
大公无私dà gōng wú sīselfless
海内外hǎi nèi wàidomestic and international
网民wǎng mínweb user
互访hù fǎngexchange visits
思前想后sī qián xiǎng hòuto consider past cause and future effect (idiom); to think over the past and future
四合院sì hé yuàncourtyard house with a fully enclosed courtyard (type of Chinese residence)
娇惯jiāo guànto pamper
卡子qiǎ ziclip
萍水相逢píng shuǐ xiāng féngstrangers coming together by chance (idiom)
多元duō yuánpoly-
多劳多得duō láo duō déwork more and get more
干戈gān gēweapons of war
迷惑不解mí huò bù jiěto feel puzzled
汤圆tāng yuánboiled or deep-fried balls of glutinous rice flour, usually eaten during Lantern Festival
扑面而来pū miàn ér láilit. sth hits one in the face
冷酷无情lěng kù wú qíngcold-hearted; unfeeling; callous
引经据典yǐn jīng jù diǎnlit. to quote the classics
抚恤fǔ xù(of an organization that has a duty of care) to give financial support to relatives of sb who has died or suffered serio
愚公移山yú gōng yí shānthe old man moves mountains (idiom); fig. where there's a will, there's a way
通顺tōng shùnsmooth
歌咏gē yǒngto sing
桂花guì huāosmanthus flowers
小卒xiǎo zúfoot soldier
出洋相chū yáng xiàngto make a fool of oneself
便饭biàn fànan ordinary meal
赞叹不已zàn tàn bù yǐto be full of praise (idiom)
纵横交错zòng héng jiāo cuòcriss-crossed (idiom)
节水jié shuǐto save water
风餐露宿fēng cān lù sùlit. to eat in the open air and sleep outdoors (idiom)
怡然自得yí rán zì déhappy and content (idiom)
上期shàng qīprevious period (week, month or quarter etc)
院士yuàn shìscholar
绘声绘色huì shēng huì sèvivid and colorful (idiom); true to life
馅儿xiàn rerhua variant of 馅
三番五次sān fān wǔ cìover and over again (idiom)
忌口jì kǒuabstain from certain food (as when ill)
举一反三jǔ yī fǎn sānto raise one and infer three
损人利己sǔn rén lì jǐharming others for one's personal benefit (idiom); personal gain to the detriment of others
野炊yě chuīto cook a meal over a campfire (usu. for a group of people on an outing)
làoflooded
非金属fēi jīn shǔnonmetal (chemistry)
卤味lǔ wèifood prepared by stewing in soy sauce and spices
约定俗成yuē dìng sú chéngestablished by popular usage (idiom); common usage agreement
无情无义wú qíng wú yìcompletely lacking any feeling or sense of justice (idiom); cold and ruthless
耿直gěng zhíhonest
顺差shùn chā(trade or budget) surplus
东奔西走dōng bēn xī zǒuto run this way and that (idiom); to rush about busily
没说的méi shuō denothing to pick on
美滋滋měi zī zīvery happy; elated
怠工dài gōngto slacken off in one's work
单边dān biānunilateral
拉锁lā suǒzipper
没准儿méi zhǔn rerhua variant of 没准
抑扬顿挫yì yáng dùn cuòsee 顿挫抑扬
藤椅téng yǐrattan chair
心眼儿xīn yǎn rone's thoughts
有的放矢yǒu dì fàng shǐlit. to have a target in mind when shooting one's arrows (idiom)
概论gài lùnoutline
印刷术yìn shuā shùprinting
经久不息jīng jiǔ bù xīprolonged (applause, cheering etc)
沽名钓誉gū míng diào yùto angle for fame (idiom)
水灵灵shuǐ líng língsee 水灵
沾光zhān guāngto bask in the light
简体字jiǎn tǐ zìsimplified Chinese character, as opposed to traditional Chinese character 繁体字
腊月Là yuètwelfth lunar month
大包大揽dà bāo dà lǎnto take complete charge (idiom)
朱红zhū hóngvermilion
由此看来yóu cǐ kàn láithereby
悲欢离合bēi huān lí héjoys and sorrows
芦花lú huāreed catkin
节气jié qisolar term
连滚带爬lián gǔn dài párolling and crawling
朝三暮四zhāo sān mù sìlit. say three in the morning but four in the evening (idiom); to change sth that is already settled upon
内需nèi xūdomestic demand
敦厚dūn hòugenuine
禅杖chán zhàngthe staff of a Buddhist monk
老伴儿lǎo bàn rerhua variant of 老伴
前仰后合qián yǎng hòu héto sway to and fro
书橱shū chúbookcase
红扑扑hóng pū pūred
迭起dié qǐcontinuously arising
船桨chuán jiǎngoar
槐树huái shùlocust tree (Sophora japonica)
大模大样dà mú dà yàngboldly; ostentatiously
贺信hè xìncongratulatory letter or message
哗变huá biànmutiny
冰棍儿bīng gùn rice lolly
节衣缩食jié yī suō shíto save on food and clothing (idiom); to live frugally
张灯结彩zhāng dēng jié cǎito be decorated with lanterns and colored banners (idiom)

Lesson 12 Vocabulary (100 words)

HanziPinyinEnglish
电铃diàn língelectric bell
公函gōng hánofficial letter
陶冶táo yělit. to fire pots and smelt metal
碰钉子pèng dīng zito meet with a rebuff
各奔前程gè bèn qián chéngeach goes his own way (idiom); each person has his own life to lead
别具匠心bié jù jiàng xīnto show ingenuity
暖烘烘nuǎn hōng hōngnice and warm
见钱眼开jiàn qián yǎn kāito open one's eyes wide at the sight of profit (idiom); thinking of nothing but personal gain
爱理不理ài lǐ bù lǐ(idiom) standoffish; indifferent
奇花异草qí huā yì cǎovery rarely seen, unusual (idiom)
有口无心yǒu kǒu wú xīnto speak harshly but without any bad intent (idiom)
帐子zhàng zimosquito net
半真半假bàn zhēn bàn jiǎ(idiom) half true and half false
有两下子yǒu liǎng xià zito have real skill
乘人之危chéng rén zhī wēito take advantage of sb's precarious position
穿小鞋chuān xiǎo xiélit. to make sb wear tight shoes (idiom)
酣畅hān chàngunrestrained
如醉如痴rú zuì rú chīlit. as if drunk and stupefied (idiom)
耳闻目睹ěr wén mù dǔto witness personally
万古长青wàn gǔ cháng qīngremain fresh
一毛不拔yī máo bù bástingy (idiom)
发愤图强fā fèn tú qiángto be strongly determined to succeed (idiom)
默读mò dúto read in silence
纳闷儿nà mèn rerhua variant of 纳闷
忍饥挨饿rěn jī ái èstarving
山冈shān gāngmound
势不可当shì bù kě dāngimpossible to resist (idiom); an irresistible force
侃大山kǎn dà shānto chatter idly
不耻下问bù chǐ xià wènnot feel ashamed to ask and learn from one's subordinates
爆冷门bào lěng ménan upset (esp. in sports)
出口成章chū kǒu chéng zhāng(idiom) (of one's speech) eloquent
个头儿gè tóu rsize
括弧kuò húparenthesis
造纸术zào zhǐ shùpapermaking process
兜儿dōu rerhua variant of 兜
长效cháng xiàoto be effective over an extended period
遂心suì xīnto one's liking
敲边鼓qiāo biān gǔto back sb up
刻舟求剑kè zhōu qiú jiànlit. a notch on the side of a boat to locate a sword dropped overboard (idiom); fig. an action made pointless by changed
一长一短yī cháng yī duǎntalking endlessly; long-winded
鹏程万里péng chéng wàn lǐthe fabled roc flies ten thousand miles (idiom)
闹着玩儿nào zhe wán rto play games
得意扬扬dé yì yáng yángvariant of 洋
随大溜suí dà liùto follow the crowd
廉正lián zhèngupright and honest
办不到bàn bu dàoimpossible
报亭bào tíngkiosk
便利店biàn lì diànconvenience store
别提了bié tí lesay no more
不服气bù fú qìunwilling to concede
操控cāo kòngto control
茶馆儿chá guǎn ra teashop
吃不上chī bu shàngunable to get anything to eat
吹了chuī lefailed; busted; to have not succeeded
从今以后cóng jīn yǐ hòufrom now on
从早到晚cóng zǎo dào wǎnfrom morning till night
打盹儿dǎ dǔn rerhua variant of 打盹
大数据dà shù jùbig data (computing)
大腕儿dà wàn rerhua variant of 大腕
低碳dī tàn(attributive) low-carbon; low-carb (diet)
点击率diǎn jī lǜclick-through rate (CTR) (Internet)
防汛fáng xùnflood control
搞笑gǎo xiàoto get people to laugh
公示gōng shìto make known to the public (for information or to seek comments)
顾不上gù bu shàngcannot attend to or manage
后备箱hòu bèi xiāngtrunk
忽高忽低hū gāo hū dīalternately soaring and plunging
极少数jí shǎo shùextremely few
接听jiē tīngto answer the phone
离谱儿lí pǔr5Scientific
咧嘴liě zuǐto grin
领军lǐng jūnto lead troups
聋人lóng réndeaf person
沐浴露mù yù lùshower gel
哪知道nǎ zhī dàowho would have thought that ...?
难得一见nán dé yī jiànrarely seen
难以想象nányǐxiǎngxiàngUnimaginable
人缘儿rén yuán rerhua variant of 人缘
如果说rú guǒ shuōif
软实力ruǎn shí lìsoft power (in international relations)
时好时坏shí hǎo shí huàisometimes good, sometimes bad
受过shòu guòto take the blame (for sb else)
双赢shuāng yíngprofitable to both sides
谁知道shéi zhī dàoGod knows...
说干就干shuō gàn jiù gànto do what needs to be done, without delay
说老实话shuō lǎo shi huàto be honest
说起来shuō qǐláiSay
说真的shuō zhēn deto tell the truth
私家车sī jiā chēprivate car
搜救sōu jiùsearch and rescue
贪玩儿tān wánr5Greedy
讨人喜欢tǎo rén xǐ huanto attract people's affection
性价比xìng jià bǐcost-performance ratio
一卡通Yī kǎ tōngthe name of various contactless smart cards, notably Yikatong (mainly for public transport in Beijing) and iPASS (mainly
与时俱进yǔ shí jù jìnabreast of modern developments
原创yuán chuàngto create (sth original)
着眼于zhuóyǎn yúFocus on
正能量zhèng néng liàngpositive energy
追尾zhuī wěito tailgate
做证zuò zhèngvariant of 作证

Frequently Asked Questions

How many words do I need for HSK 9?

HSK 9 requires 1299 vocabulary words. This list covers all of them with pinyin, translations, and audio.

Do I need to handwrite the characters for HSK 9?

No. The HSK 9 exam only requires character recognition (reading). Handwriting becomes important from HSK 3 onward.

How should I memorize these 1299 words?

Use spaced repetition: our flashcards use the SM-2 algorithm to schedule reviews right before you would forget. 10 minutes daily is enough.