Bonus notes · HSK 2.0
HSK study notes: word families and similar words
Extra vocabulary groups from our own study notes (428 entries): words that share a character, topic word groups, single characters and words that are easy to confuse. Many go beyond HSK 4, so use them for reading and speaking practice.
Word family: 然 (rán)16
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 不然 | bùrán | not so, no, or else, otherwise, if not |
| 既然 | jìrán | since, as, this being the case |
| 竟然 | jìngrán | unexpectedly, to one's surprise, in spite of everything, crazily, actually, to go as far as |
| 然而 | ránér | however, but, yet |
| 依然 | yīrán | still, as before |
| 大自然 | dàzìrán | nature |
| 自然 | zìrán | nature, natural, naturally |
| 忽然 | hūrán | suddenly, all of a sudden |
| 突然 | tūrán | sudden, abrupt, unexpected |
| 然后 | ránhòu | after that, after, then, afterwards |
| 虽然 | suīrán | although, even though, even if |
| 必然 | bìrán | inevitable, certain, necessity |
| 当然 | dāngrán | of course, as it should be, only natural, certainly, without doubt |
| 果然 | guǒrán | really, sure enough, as expected |
| 仍然 | réngrán | still, yet |
| 显然 | xiǎnrán | evident, obvious(ly) |
Word family: 感 (gǎn)10
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 感兴趣 | gǎnxìngqù | to be interested |
| 感情 | gǎnqíng | affection, love feeling |
| 情感 | qínggǎn | Feeling, emotion |
| 感觉 | gǎnjué | feeling, to feel, to become aware of, sense |
| 感到 | gǎndào | to feel, to sense, to have feeling |
| 感动 | gǎndòng | to touch, emotional, move, moved |
| 感谢 | gǎnxiè | thanks, gratitude |
| 感冒 | gǎnmào | to catch a cold |
| 感受 | gǎnshòu | perception, to sense, to feel |
| 感想 | gǎnxiǎng | thoughts; impressions |
Word family: 时 (shí)8
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 按时 | ànshí | on time |
| 准时 | zhǔnshí | on time |
| 及时 | jíshí | in time |
| 平时 | píngshí | usually, in normal times, in peacetime |
| 同时 | tóngshí | at the same time |
| 暂时 | zànshí | temporary, provisional, for the time being |
| 当时 | dāngshí | then at that time |
| 倒计时 | dàojìshí | countdown |
Word family: 出 (chū)3
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 表演 | biǎoyǎn | to perform |
| 演出 | yǎnchū | performance |
| 出来 | chūlái | come out |
Word family: 着 (zhe / zháo)3
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 接着 | jiēzhe | then after |
| 随着 | suízhe | along with |
| 着急 | zháojí | to worry to feel anxious |
Word family: 发 (fā)9
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 发 | fā | to send |
| 发现 | fāxiàn | to discover |
| 发展 | fāzhǎn | development |
| 发烧 | fāshāo | fever |
| 发生 | fāshēng | to happen |
| 出发 | chūfā | to depart |
| 头发 | tóufà | hair |
| 理发 | lǐfà | to get a haircut |
| 沙发 | shāfā | sofa |
Word family: 量 (liàng)3
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 数量 | shùliàng | quantity |
| 商量 | shāngliáng | discuss, talk over |
| 质量 | zhìliàng | quality of product, mass（physics） |
Word family: 合 (hé)4
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 符合 | fúhé | in accordance with |
| 合格 | hégé | qualified |
| 合适 | héshì | suitable |
| 适合 | shìhé | to fit, to suit |
Word family: 格 (gé)4
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 表格 | biǎogé | form, table |
| 合格 | hégé | qualified |
| 价格 | jiàgé | price |
| 性格 | xìnggé | personality |
Word family: 流 (liú)4
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 交流 | jiāoliú | exchange |
| 流利 | liúlì | fluent |
| 流行 | liúxíng | popular |
| 经济 | jīngjì | economy |
Word family: 信 (xìn)7
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 短信 | duǎnxìn | text message |
| 信心 | xìnxīn | confidence, faith |
| 自信 | zìxìn | self confidence |
| 坚信 | jiānxìn | to believe without doubt |
| 深信 | shēnxìn | to believe firmly, believe without any doubt |
| 信封 | xìnfēng | envelope |
| 信息 | xìnxī | news, information |
Word family: 正 (zhèng)5
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 真正 | zhēnzhèng | genuine, real, true, genuinely |
| 正式 | zhèngshì | formal |
| 正好 | zhènghǎo | just right; just in time |
| 正确 | zhèngquè | correct, proper |
| 正在 | zhèngzài | in the process of |
Word family: 证 (zhèng)3
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 保证 | bǎozhèng | guarantee, to ensure |
| 签证 | qiānzhèng | visa |
| 证明 | zhèngmíng | to prove, certificate, identity |
Topic: talking and discussing13
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 说话 | shuōhuà | speak; talk; say |
| 谈 | tán | talk; speak; chat; discuss |
| 讨论 | tǎolùn | discuss; talk about; argue; debate |
| 对话 | duìhuà | dialogue |
| 商量 | shāngliáng | consult; discuss; talk over |
| 讲述 | jiǎngshù | to talk about |
| 季节 | jìjié | season |
| 夏天 | xiàtiān | summer |
| 暑假 | shǔjià | summer vacation |
| 冬天 | dōngtiān | winter |
| 寒假 | hánjià | winter vacation |
| 春天 | chūntiān | spring |
| 秋天 | qiūtiān | autumn |
Topic: business20
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 生意 | shēngyì | business, trade |
| 出差 | chūchāi | business trip |
| 免费 | miǎnfèi | free |
| 现金 | xiànjīn | cash |
| 价格 | jiàgé | price |
| 付款 | fùkuǎn | pay, payment |
| 购物 | gòuwù | shopping |
| 贵 | guì | expensive |
| 便宜 | piányi | cheap |
| 数量 | shùliàng | quantity |
| 顾客 | gùkè | customer |
| 赚 | zhuàn | earn, make profit |
| 赢 | yíng | to win |
| 经理 | jīnglǐ | manager |
| 管理 | guǎnlǐ | manage |
| 整理 | zhěnglǐ | to arrange |
| 安排 | ānpái | arrangement |
| 推迟 | tuīchí | to postpone |
| 提前 | tíqián | arrange earlier |
| 奖金 | jiǎngjīn | bonus award |
Topic: emotions27
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 得意 | déyì | proud of oneself |
| 骄傲 | jiāoào | arrogant, full of oneself, conceited, proud of something |
| 愉快 | yúkuài | cheerful, cheerily, delightful |
| 活泼 | huópō | lively, vivacious |
| 精彩 | jīngcǎi | wonderful, splendid |
| 高兴 | gāoxìng | happy |
| 开心 | kāixīn | happy, joyous |
| 怀疑 | huáiyí | suspect |
| 激动 | jīdòng | excited |
| 兴奋 | xīngfèn | excited |
| 轻松 | qīngsōng | relaxed, calm |
| 苦 | kǔ | bitter |
| 难受 | nánshòu | feel unwell |
| 难过 | nánguò | difficult, hard, sad |
| 紧张 | jǐnzhāng | nervous |
| 伤心 | shāngxīn | sad, sorrow |
| 耐心 | nàixīn | patient |
| 厉害 | lìhài | difficult, tremendous |
| 害羞 | hàixiū | shy |
| 尊重 | zūnzhòng | respect, to honour, esteem |
| 恐怕 | kǒngpà | afraid; I'm afraid that; perhaps |
| 烦恼 | fánnǎo | worried, vexed |
| 敢 | gǎn | to dare, daring |
| 仔细 | zǐxì | careful |
| 小心 | xiǎoxīn | careful |
| 缺少自信 | quēshǎozìxìn | lack of self confidence |
| 回忆 | huíyì | memory, recall |
Topic: games6
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 比赛 | bǐsài | competition |
| 运动会 | yùndònghuì | games |
| 篮球 | lánqiú | basketball |
| 足球 | zúqiú | football |
| 网球 | wǎngqiú | tennis |
| 弹钢琴 | tángāngqín | play piano |
Topic: trees and plants7
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 植物 | zhíwù | plant; vegetation |
| 叶子 | yèzi | Leaf |
| 树 | shù | Tree |
| 森林 | sēnlín | Forest |
| 调查 | diàochá | investigation |
| 视察 | shìchá | investigation |
| 警察 | jǐngchá | police man |
Topic: news and information10
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 消息 | xiāoxī | news, information |
| 信息 | xìnxī | information, news |
| 新闻 | xīnwén | news |
| 报纸 | bàozhǐ | news paper |
| 杂志 | zázhì | magazine |
| 份 | fèn | classifier for. magazine and newspaper |
| 老虎 | lǎohǔ | tiger |
| 狮子 | shīzi | lion |
| 狗 | gǒu | dog |
| 猫 | māo | cat |
Topic: change and exchange3
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 换 | huàn | change |
| 改变 | gǎibiàn | change; vary |
| 交流 | jiāoliú | exchange |
Single characters worth knowing102
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 棒 | bàng | excellent |
| 倍 | bèi | fold |
| 笨 | bèn | stupid, dull |
| 遍 | biàn | time |
| 擦 | cā | wipe, clean |
| 猜 | cāi | guess |
| 场 | chǎng | field; venue; measure word for events |
| 存 | cún | to store, to keep, exist, deposit, survive |
| 戴 | dài | to put on, wear glasses, accessories |
| 刀 | dāo | knife |
| 倒 | dào | to pour; to fall over |
| 得 | děi | have to, must |
| 等 | děng | auxiliary word, etc |
| 低 | dī | low |
| 底 | dǐ | bottom, end of year／month |
| 掉 | diào | to fall, to drop, to lag behind, to lose |
| 丢 | diū | to lose, throw |
| 富 | fù | rich |
| 赶 | gǎn | catch up with, rush for |
| 干 | gàn | to do |
| 敢 | gǎn | to dare |
| 各 | gè | every |
| 够 | gòu | be enough（adj） |
| 挂 | guà | to hang |
| 光 | guāng | only |
| 汗 | hàn | perspiration, sweat, to be speech less |
| 厚 | hòu | thick, deep or profound, kind, generous |
| 火 | huǒ | fire |
| 寄 | jì | post, email |
| 假 | jiǎ | false |
| 交 | jiāo | hand over associated with |
| 节 | jié | festival |
| 举 | jǔ | to lift, to hold up, to cite |
| 棵 | kē | for trees, plants |
| 课 | kè | class; lesson |
| 苦 | kǔ | bitter, hardship, pain |
| 困 | kùn | sleepy |
| 拉 | lā | to pull, to play, to drag |
| 辣 | là | spicy |
| 懒 | lǎn | lazy |
| 留 | liú | remain, stay |
| 乱 | luàn | disorderly, upset |
| 满 | mǎn | full, filled, packed |
| 毛 | máo | fur; hair; 10 cents |
| 梦 | mèng | dream |
| 秒 | miǎo | second, unit |
| 内 | nèi | inside |
| 弄 | nòng | play with |
| 陪 | péi | accompany= |
| 篇 | piān | for paper |
| 骗 | piàn | to deceive; to cheat |
| 破 | pò | broken, damage, worn out |
| 桥 | qiáo | bridge |
| 敲 | qiāo | to knock, to strike |
| 轻 | qīng | light, easy, gentle soft |
| 穷 | qióng | poor, exhausted |
| 取 | qǔ | get, take |
| 却 | què | but, yet, however, while |
| 仍 | réng | to throw, throw-away |
| 深 | shēn | deep, close, late, dark |
| 省 | shěng | to save, to economize |
| 使 | shǐ | make, cause, to enable |
| 收 | shōu | get something, receive |
| 输 | shū | to lose |
| 帅 | shuài | handsome |
| 死 | sǐ | die, extreme |
| 谈 | tán | talk, discuss |
| 汤 | tāng | soup |
| 糖 | táng | sugar, candy |
| 躺 | tǎng | lie |
| 趟 | tàng | for round trip |
| 提 | tí | carry, raise |
| 台 | tái | for machine, desk, platform |
| 停 | tíng | to stop, to halt, to park |
| 推 | tuī | push, delay |
| 挺 | tǐng | rather, quite, very, to stick out |
| 脱 | tuō | take off |
| 无 | wú | not have |
| 香 | xiāng | fragrant, aromatic |
| 响 | xiǎng | noisy, to make sound |
| 行 | xíng | to be OK; can do |
| 酸 | suān | sour |
| 醒 | xǐng | to wake up, to awaken |
| 咸 | xián | salty |
| 向 | xiàng | direction |
| 盐 | yán | salt |
| 呀 | ya | use instead of |
| 页 | yè | for leaf paper |
| 以 | yǐ | with by |
| 赢 | yíng | to win |
| 由 | yóu | by from |
| 与 | yǔ | with and |
| 云 | yún | cloud |
| 脏 | zàng | viscera, organ |
| 转 | zhuǎn | to turn, to revolve, to circle about |
| 赚 | zhuàn | to earn, make profit |
| 指 | zhǐ | to indicate or refer to, point at |
| 之 | zhī | part-used between attribute and the word it modifies |
| 重 | zhòng | heavy |
| 租 | zū | to rent |
| 座 | zuò | for mountains buildings and immovable things |
| 盘子 | pánzi | plate |
Similar and confusing words161
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 痛 | tòng | pain |
| 疼 | téng | pain |
| 饿 | è | hungry |
| 我 | wǒ | i |
| 钱 | qián | money |
| 找 | zhǎo | search |
| 等 | děng | and so on; et cetera |
| 第 | dì | first, but |
| 才 | cái | Ability |
| 长 | zhǎng | older, eldest, chief |
| 张 | zhāng | open, stretch |
| 看 | kàn | look at watch |
| 着 | zhe | show continues action |
| 首 | shǒu | first; head |
| 春 | chūn | spring season |
| 欢 | huān | xihuan de huan |
| 双 | shuāng | pair opp= |
| 观众 | guānzhòng | audience |
| 再见 | zàijiàn | goodbye |
| 现 | xiàn | to appear |
| 规定 | guīdìng | rule; regulation; to stipulate |
| 现金 | xiànjīn | cash |
| 冬 | dōng | winter |
| 冷 | lěng | cold |
| 零 | líng | zero |
| 瘦 | shòu | thin |
| 心 | xīn | heart |
| 必须 | bìxū | must, have to |
| 成 | chéng | to become; to succeed |
| 咸 | xián | salty |
| 美 | měi | beauty opp |
| 关 | guān | to close |
| 游戏 | yóuxì | game, reaction, play |
| 旅游 | lǚyóu | tour, tourism |
| 游泳 | yóuyǒng | swim, swimming |
| 经 | jīng | to pass through; to undergo |
| 给 | gěi | give, grant |
| 分钟 | fēnzhōng | minute |
| 份 | fèn | after |
| 价 | jià | price, value |
| 简历 | jiǎnlì | resume |
| 们 | men | plural marker for people |
| 丢 | diū | to lose |
| 去 | qù | to go |
| 丢脸 | diūliǎn | embarrassed |
| 不好意思 | bùhǎoyìsī | embarrassed; sorry |
| 在 | zài | at |
| 住 | zhù | to live |
| 注意 | zhùyì | pay attention |
| 谁 | shéi | who |
| 准备 | zhǔnbèi | to prepare; to get ready |
| 标准 | biāozhǔn | n.standard creation, adj.serving as, or conforming a standard |
| 办 | bàn | handle |
| 为 | wèi | for; to be; to do |
| 应该 | yīnggāi | should; ought to |
| 孩子 | háizi | child |
| 让 | ràng | to let; to allow |
| 正在 | zhèngzài | in the process of |
| 保证 | bǎozhèng | guarantee |
| 泪 | lèi | tears |
| 累 | lèi | tired same last tone |
| 听 | tīng | to listen |
| 所 | suǒ | place; (measure word) |
| 被 | bèi | by (passive marker) |
| 师傅 | shīfù | used to address strangers in everyday life,similar to “mister” or “sir |
| 同志 | tóngzhì | comrade |
| 亲 | qīn | dear |
| 宝贝 | bǎobèi | baby |
| 空 | kōng | empty, air, sky |
| 穷 | qióng | poor, exhausted |
| 讲究 | jiǎngjiū | to pay particular attention |
| 航班 | hángbān | flight; scheduled flight |
| 船 | chuán | boat |
| 数据 | shùjù | data |
| 楼 | lóu | building |
| 归家 | guījiā | home |
| 回家 | huíjiā | back to home |
| 吸 | xī | air |
| 呼吸 | hūxī | breath |
| 吸收 | xīshōu | absorb, to ingest |
| 积极 | jījí | active, vigorous.m, positive |
| 极 | jí | utmost, top（ |
| 解决 | jiějué | to solve |
| 及格 | jígé | pass |
| 以及 | yǐjí | as well as |
| 相处 | xiāngchǔ | get along |
| 外面 | wàimiàn | outside |
| 网络 | wǎngluò | internet |
| 无线网络 | wúxiànwǎngluò | wifi |
| 晴天 | qíngtiān | sunny |
| 云天 | yúntiān | cloudy |
| 云 | yún | cloud |
| 运气 | yùnqì | luck |
| 动物 | dòngwù | animal |
| 原因 | yuányīn | reason; cause |
| 呀啊 | yaa | come together |
| 到处 | dàochù | everywhere |
| 都 | dū | all |
| 部 | bù | part. ( |
| 陪 | péi | to accompany, to keep somebody company |
| 头 | tóu | head |
| 实 | shí | really, fact |
| 读 | dú | read |
| 卖 | mài | sell |
| 买 | mǎi | buy, purchase |
| 逛 | guàng | to stroll, visit |
| 脱 | tuō | to take off |
| 与 | yǔ | to give, grant |
| 写 | xiě | write |
| 费 | fèi | fees ( |
| 浪费 | làngfèi | to waste |
| 贵 | guì | expensive |
| 负责 | fùzé | to be in charge of, to take responsibility for, to be to blame conscientios |
| 责任 | zérèn | Duty, responsibility |
| 比赛 | bǐsài | competition, match |
| 汤 | tāng | soup, boiling water |
| 场 | chǎng | field; venue; measure word for events |
| 物 | wù | thing; object |
| 正好 | zhènghǎo | just right; just in time |
| 刚才 | gāngcái | a moment ago |
| 周末 | zhōumò | weekend |
| 调查 | diàochá | investigation |
| 警察 | jǐngchá | policeman |
| 联系 | liánxì | connection, relation |
| 顾客 | gùkè | customer |
| 客人 | kèrén | guest |
| 把 | bǎ | +somebody something+ |
| 态度 | tàidù | manners.1 |
| 温度 | wēndù | temperature |
| 速度 | sùdù | speed |
| 来得及 | láidejí | there is still time |
| 来不及 | láibùjí | it's late, there is no time |
| 适应 | shìyìng | suitable |
| 适合 | shìhé | suit |
| 危险 | wēixiǎn | dangerous |
| 复杂 | fùzá | complicated |
| 杂志 | zázhì | general, magazine |
| 记者 | jìzhě | reporter |
| 降低 | jiàngdī | reduce |
| 减少 | jiǎnshǎo | to decrease |
| 减肥 | jiǎnféi | to lose weight |
| 愉快 | yúkuài | happy |
| 凉快 | liángkuài | cool |
| 苦 | kǔ | bitter |
| 哭 | kū | cry |
| 饮料 | yǐnliào | soft drinks |
| 材料 | cáiliào | materials |
| 醒 | xǐng | wake up |
| 酸 | suān | sour |
| 糖 | táng | sugar, candy |
| 甜 | tián | sweet |
| 烦恼 | fánnǎo | worried |
| 电脑 | diànnǎo | computer |
| 照片 | zhàopiān | photo |
| 名片 | míngpiàn | business card |
| 手 | shǒu | hand |
| 毛 | máo | fur; hair; 10 cents |
| 破 | pò | break, damage |
| 皮肤 | pífū | skin |
| 奖金 | jiǎngjīn | bonus |
| 价格 | jiàgé | price |
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