HSK 7-9 Characters
How Many Characters Are in HSK 7-9?
HSK 7-9 contains 1205 characters under the current HSK 3.0 standard (CLEC 2022 syllabus). These bands target advanced mastery with rare, literary, and classical characters for full proficiency.
HSK 7-9 Character Statistics
| HSK 3.0 (Current) | |
|---|---|
| Characters | 1205 |
| Vocabulary Words | 5,600 |
| Standard | 2026 Syllabus |
Bands 7–9 are new in HSK 3.0 — the old system stopped at Level 6.
About HSK 7-9
HSK 7–9 represents the highest tier of Chinese language proficiency, targeting advanced mastery comparable to a highly educated native speaker. These bands cover rare, literary, and classical characters that appear in academic publishing, literary criticism, classical Chinese texts, and advanced professional specialization.
Unlike HSK 1–6, levels 7 through 9 share a common character pool. The three bands are differentiated by vocabulary scope, reading comprehension depth, and writing sophistication rather than by distinct character lists. This reflects the reality that advanced proficiency is about how deeply you can use characters, not just how many you recognize.
HSK 7–9 exceeds the standard CEFR scale (designated C2+). This level is primarily relevant for professional translators, academics, literary scholars, and specialists who work with Chinese at the highest level. Most learners — even those living and working in China — will find HSK 5–6 sufficient for daily and professional life.
HSK 7-9 Character Statistics
11
Avg. Strokes
2–24
Stroke Range
155
Unique Radicals
1205
Total Characters
Most Common Radicals at This Level
Study Tips for HSK 7-9
1
Read specialized texts in your areas of interest — academic papers, literary criticism, classical poetry, legal documents. At this level, breadth of reading matters more than targeted character study because the characters you need depend heavily on your domain.
2
Study classical Chinese (文言文) vocabulary systematically. Many HSK 7–9 characters originate from classical usage and carry meanings that differ from their modern equivalents — understanding the classical sense helps you read historical and literary texts.
3
Use the characters you learn in your own writing. Active production — writing essays, translations, or summaries using advanced vocabulary — solidifies recognition far more effectively than passive reading at this level.
Articles About HSK 7-9
How Chinese Reading Difficulty Is Calculated10 min readWhat HSK Level Should I Target? A Guide for Every Learner9 min readHow to Prepare for HSK in 3 Months: A Complete Roadmap12 min read
Browse all articles All HSK 7-9 Characters
溪xīstream波bōwave炮pàocannon, firecracker煎jiānto fry, to pan-fry蒸zhēngto steam炖dùnto stew焰yànflame柱zhùpillar, column嫩nèntender晓xiǎodawn, know晶jīngcrystal肾shènkidney胀zhàngswollen钉dīngto nail锋fēngsharp, vanguard钞chāobanknote钩gōuto hook锈xiùrust锦jǐnbrocade坦tǎnflat, candid堡bǎofort, castle磁címagnetic碧bìblue-green磨móto grind, to wear砸záto smash碟diéplate, dish砂shāsand碑bēimonument畏wèito fear畔pànbank, side畜chùlivestock畴chóufield, category畸jīdeform裂lièto split, to crack袍páorobe饲sìto feed, to raise饵ěrbait饶ráoforgive, rich馋chángreedy寨zhàistockade寡guǎfew, widow寥liáofew, sparse窝wōnest窑yáokiln窍qiàoopening, knack窒zhìto suffocate窘jiǒngembarrassed窜cuànto flee窟kūcave窿lónghole窥kuīto peep废fèiwaste, to abandon庙miàotemple癌áicancer盯dīngto stare at眨zhǎto blink瞎xiāblind瞒mánto conceal瞪dèngto stare瞩zhǔto focus on睦mùharmonious盹dǔndoze耻chǐshame耿gěngupright聋lóngdeaf跨kuàto stride, to cross蚊wénmosquito虾xiāshrimp蜡làwax苏sūrevive荷hélotus, Holland蒙méngto cover, Mongolia董dǒngdirector蔽bìto cover, to hide蓬péngfluffy霜shuāngfrost霉méimold霍huòsuddenly霞xiárosy clouds霸bàtyrant驱qūto drive驻zhùstation驰chíto gallop驳bórefute骇hàito frighten骏jùnfine horse骚sāodisturb, coquettish鹅égoose鸽gēpigeon鸦yācrow鹏péngroc鹤hècrane鹰yīngeagle鲁lǔShandong, foolish鳄ècrocodile辉huībrilliant斩zhǎnto chop闸zhágate, brake阁gépavilion阀fávalve, clique阐chǎnto explain阎yánhell阂héobstruct贪tāngreedy贱jiàncheap, humble贾gǔmerchant赁lìnto rent赂lùbribe赃zāngbooty赐cìbestow赡shànto support仙xiānimmortal侣lǚcompanion债zhàidebt凑còuto gather together, pool or collect哄hōngroar of laughter (onom.)唤huànto call愈yùthe more...(the more...)慌huāngto get panicky揭jiēto take the lid off搏bóto fight暮mùevening泊bóto moor (a boat)湾wānbay猛měngferocious盗dàoto steal缘yuáncause罗luógauze莫mòdo not闷mēnstuffy爹diēdad猩xīngape猾huásly蕾lěibud亦yìalso帜zhìflag惰duòlazy竿gānpole篷péngsail肢zhīlimb舟zhōuboat舶bóship踊yǒngleap鹿lùdeer呕ǒuvomit墅shùvilla奴núslave孪luántwins峡xiágorge屿yǔislet炬jùtorch笛díflute腺xiàngland莲liánlotus酗xùdrunk锐ruìacute乞qǐto beg勿wùdo not卉huìplants巅diānsummit掘juéto dig朽xiǔrotten棘jíthorns棺guāncoffin泣qìto sob狱yùprison萝luóradish谍diéto spy贞zhēnchaste颊jiácheeks匿nìto hide悦yuèpleased恳kěnearnest撕sīto tear斧fǔhatchet昼zhòudaytime沸fèito boil涝làoflooded焚fénto burn猎lièhunting膨péngswollen舰jiànwarship咏yǒngto sing诽fěislander酝yùnto brew雅yǎelegant囚qiúprisoner辩biànto dispute宁níngpeaceful纲gānghead rope of a fishing net鬼guǐdisembodied spirit帘liánflag used as a shop sign振zhènto shake挨āiin order罢bàto stop扁biǎnflat惨cǎnmiserable昌chāng(bound form) prosperous党dǎngparty赌dǔto bet恩ēnfavor杆gānpole谷gǔgrain毁huǐto destroy昏hūnmuddle-headed炉lústove盟méngoath膜mómembrane墨mòink stick谋móuto plan墓mùgrave偏piānto lean迁qiānto move侵qīnto invade乳rǔ(bound form) breast若ruòto seem牲shēngdomestic animal圣shèng(bound form) peerless (in wisdom, moral virtue, skill etc)爽shuǎngbright寺sìBuddhist temple叹tànto sigh旺wàngprosperous悟wùto comprehend牺xīsacrifice凶xiōngterrible悬xuánto hang or suspend耀yàobrilliant宇yǔroom忠zhōngloyal宗zōngschool纵zòngvertical哀āi(bound form) sorrow蔼ǎifriendly艾àiChinese mugwort or wormwood隘ài(bound form) narrow凹āoconcave奥ào(bound form) Austria (abbr. for 奧地利|奥地利)澳àoMacao (abbr. for 澳門|澳门)扒bāto peel叭bādenote a sound or sharp noise (gunfire etc)芭bāan unidentified fragrant plant mentioned in the Songs of Chu 楚辭|楚辞靶bǎtarget坝bà(used in place names) plain掰bāito break off or break open sth with one's hands柏bǎicedar扳bānto pull颁bānto promulgate斑bānspot拌bànto mix瓣bànpetal邦bāng(bound form) country绑bǎngto tie谤bàngto slander磅bàngscale (instrument for weighing)镑bàngpound (sterling) (loanword)煲bāoto cook slowly over a low flame豹bàoleopard曝pùto air卑bēilow狈bèia legendary wolf惫bèiexhausted崩bēngto collapse绷bēngto draw tight蹦bèngto jump鄙bǐrustic毙bìto die痹bìparalysis弊bìdetriment鞭biānwhip or lash贬biǎnto diminish辨biànto distinguish辫biàna braid or queue飙biāo(literary) very strong wind憋biēto choke彬bīnurbane滨bīn(bound form) water's edge缤bīnused in 繽紛|缤纷丙bǐngthird of the ten Heavenly Stems 十天干秉bǐngto grasp柄bǐnghandle or shaft (of an axe etc)剥bāoto peel伯bófather's elder brother勃bóflourishing卜bǔ(bound form) to divine哺bǔto feed怖bùterror睬cǎito pay attention惭cánashamed灿cànglorious苍cāngdark blue沧cāng(bound form) (of water, esp. the ocean) deep blue-green舱cāngcabin糙cāorough曹cáoZhou Dynasty vassal state槽cáotrough蹭cèngto rub against岔chàfork in road诧chàto be surprised掺chānto mix搀chānto take by the arm and assist禅chándhyana (Sanskrit)缠chánto wind around铲chǎnto scrape the ground with a spade (to make it level or to remove weeds)颤chànto tremble猖chāngferocious嫦chángused in 嫦娥敞chǎngopen to the view of all巢cháonest扯chěto pull辰chén5th earthly branch: 7-9 a.m., 3rd solar month (5th April-4th May), year of the Dragon陈chénChen (c. 1045 – 479 BC), a Zhou dynasty state澄chéngclear逞chěngto show off秤chèngsteelyard balance痴chīimbecile弛chíto unstring a bow侈chǐextravagant斥chìto blame赤chìred仇chóuhatred绸chóu(light) silk酬chóuto entertain稠chóudense瞅chǒu(dialect) to look at橱chúwardrobe揣chuāito put into (one's pockets, clothes)踹chuàito kick川chuān(bound form) river喘chuǎnto gasp炊chuīto cook food捶chuíto beat (with a stick or one's fist)锤chuíhammer唇chúnlip醇chúnalcohol蠢chǔnstupid戳chuōto jab绰chuò(bound form) ample慈cícompassionate囱cōng(bound form) chimney葱cōngscallion丛cóngcluster簇cù(bound form) to cluster摧cuīto break粹cuìpure翠cuìbluish-green搓cuōto rub or roll between the hands or fingers磋cuō(old) to polish bones, horns, ivory etc into tools歹dǎibad逮dǎi(coll.) to catch怠dàiidle丹dānred荡dàngto wash叨dāogarrulous捣dǎoto pound祷dǎoprayer悼dàoto mourn蹬dēngto step on邓dèngsurname Deng凳dèngbench堤dīdike迪díto enlighten涤díto wash蒂dìstem (of fruit)缔dì(archaic) to bind up inextricably颠diāntop (of the head)甸diànsuburbs or outskirts垫diànpad淀diàn(bound form) shallow lake (usu. in place names)惦diànto think of奠diànto fix殿diànpalace hall刁diāoartful叼diāoto hold with one's mouth (as a smoker with a cigarette or a dog with a bone)雕diāoto carve迭diéalternately叠diéto pile up丁dīngmale adult叮dīngto sting or bite (of mosquito, bee etc)鼎dǐngancient cooking cauldron with two looped handles and three or four legs兜dōupocket抖dǒuto tremble陡dǒusteep睹dǔto observe杜dùbirchleaf pear (tree)妒dùto envy (success, talent)兑duìto cash敦dūnkindhearted哆duōused in 哆嗦舵duòhelm堕duòto fall讹éerror俄éRussia娥égood厄èdistressed遏èto restrain伐fáto cut down贩fànto deal in芳fāngfragrant纺fǎngto spin (cotton or hemp etc)绯fēidark red匪fěibandit芬fēnperfume吩fēnused in 吩咐坟féngrave粪fènmanure冯féngto gallop逢féngto meet by chance缝féngto sew讽fěngto satirize凤fèngphoenix孵fūbreeding敷fūto spread伏fúto lean over俘fúto take prisoner袱fú(bound form) a cloth used to wrap or cover辐fúspoke of a wheel抚fǔto comfort俯fǔto look down咐fùused in 吩咐 and 囑咐|嘱咐赴fùto go腹fùabdomen缚fùto bind丐gàito beg for alms钙gàicalcium (chemistry)溉gàito irrigate甘gān(bound form) sweet冈gāngridge缸gāngjar杠gàngcoffin-bearing pole (old)戈gēdagger-axe搁gēto place耕gēngto plow弓gōnga bow (weapon)躬gōng(literary) body (of a human, esp. the torso)拱gǒngto cup one's hands in salute勾gōuto attract沽gūto buy菇gū(bound form) mushroom辜gūcrime雇gùto employ卦guàdivinatory diagram乖guāi(of a child) obedient, well-behaved灌guànto irrigate闺guīsmall arched door桂guìcassia郭guōouter city wall酣hānintoxicated函hánenvelope韩hánHan, one of the Seven Hero States of the Warring States 戰國七雄|战国七雄捍hànto ward off (a blow)焊hànto weld撼hànto shake杭hángHangzhou (in place names)浩hàogrand呵hē(bound form) to scold禾hé(bound form) grain plant赫hèawe-inspiring哼hēngto groan恒héngpermanent轰hōngexplosion烘hōngto bake弘hónggreat喉hóuthroat吼hǒuto roar弧húarc唬hǔa tiger's roar沪hùshort name for Shanghai哗huā(onom.) bang徊huáiused in 徘徊淮huáiname of a river槐huáiChinese scholar tree (Sophora japonica)焕huàn(bound form) shining痪huànused in 癱瘓|瘫痪荒huāngdesolate凰huángused in 鳳凰|凤凰煌huángbrilliant恍huǎng(bound form) in a hazy state of mind晃huǎngto dazzle谎huǎnglies徽huībadge讳huìto avoid mentioning贿huì(bound form) bribery秽huì(bound form) dirty浑húnmuddy魂húnsoul豁huòopen讥jīto ridicule缉jīto seize稽jīto inspect嫉jíjealousy脊jǐ(bound form) spine忌jìto be jealous of剂jì(bound form) a compound made by mixing ingredients (esp. a medicinal or chemical product)祭jìto offer a sacrifice to (gods or ancestors)奸jiānwicked歼jiānto annihilate拣jiǎnto choose柬jiǎncard俭jiǎn(bound form) frugal溅jiànto splash姜jiāngginger僵jiāngrigid疆jiāngborder桨jiǎngoar匠jiàngcraftsman娇jiāolovable跤jiāoa tumble礁jiāoreef嚼jiáoto chew狡jiǎocrafty绞jiǎoto twist (strands into a thread)矫jiǎoto correct搅jiǎoto disturb缴jiǎoto hand in轿jiàosedan chair酵jiàoyeast皆jiēall劫jiéto rob竭jiéto exhaust诫jiècommandment津jīnsaliva筋jīnmuscle晋jìnthe Jin Dynasties (265–420)浸jìnto immerse茎jīngstalk荆jīngchaste tree or berry (Vitex agnus-castus)兢jīngto be fearful阱jǐngpitfall揪jiūto seize灸jiǔmoxibustion (TCM)拘jūto capture鞠jūto incline (one's torso)沮jǔto destroy锯jùa saw倦juàntired诀juéto bid farewell崛juétowering as a peak爵juéancient bronze wine holder with 3 legs and loop handle倔juègruff君jūnmonarch钧jūn30 catties俊jùnsmart峻jùn(of mountains) high竣jùncomplete凯kǎi(bound form) triumphal music慨kǎito sigh (with emotion)楷kǎimodel勘kānto investigate堪kān(bound form) may侃kǎnupright and honest槛jiànbanister慷kāngused in 慷慨扛gāngto raise aloft with both hands苛kēsevere磕kēto tap壳qiào(coll.) shell (of an egg, nut, crab etc)垦kěnto reclaim (land)啃kěnto gnaw坑kēngpit吭kēngto utter a sound孔kǒnghole抠kōuto dig垮kuǎto collapse (lit. or fig.)挎kuàto carry (esp. slung over the arm, shoulder or side)筐kuāngbasket旷kuàngto neglect框kuàngframe (e.g. door frame)魁kuíchief溃kuì(bound form) (of floodwaters) to break through a dam or dike愧kuìashamed捆kǔna bunch廓kuò(bound form) extensive喇lǎused in 喇叭 (trumpet腊là(bound form) 12th lunar month婪lánavaricious澜lánswelling water揽lǎnto monopolize缆lǎncable滥lànoverflowing捞lāoto fish up唠làoto gossip勒lè(literary) bridle垒lěirampart磊lěilumpy棱léngsquare beam愣lèngto look distracted黎líLi ethnic group of Hainan Province吏lìminor government official or functionary (old)隶lì(bound form) a person in servitude廉liánincorruptible敛liǎn(literary) to hold back辽liáoshort name for Liaoning 遼寧|辽宁 province僚liáobureaucrat潦liáoused in 潦草 (sloppy) and 潦倒 (down on one's luck)咧liěto draw back the corners of one's mouth拎līnto lift up陵língmound岭lǐngmountain range溜liūto slip away刘liú(classical) a type of battle-ax瘤liútumor柳liǔwillow遛liùto stroll咙lóngused in 喉嚨|喉咙胧lóngused in 朦朧|朦胧隆lóngshort for 吉隆坡, Kuala Lumpur拢lǒngto gather together垄lǒngridge between fields搂lōuto draw towards oneself陋lòulow芦lúrush卤lǔto stew in soy sauce and spices虏lǔprisoner of war吕lǚpitchpipe, pitch standard, one of the twelve semitones in the traditional tone system铝lǚaluminum (chemistry)屡lǚtime and again缕lǚstrand滤lǜto strain卵luǎnegg掠lüèto take over by force抡lūnto swing (one's arms, a heavy object)伦lúnhuman relationship螺luóspiral shell裸luǒnaked脉màiarteries and veins蛮mánbarbarian蔓màncreeper芒mángawn (of cereals)氓mángused in 流氓 (hoodlum)茫mángvast, with no clear boundary莽mǎng(bound form) dense growth of grass茅máoreeds髦máobang (hair)茂màoluxuriant枚méiclassifier for bombs, missiles, satellites etc昧mèito conceal媚mèi(bound form) to flatter萌méng(bound form) to sprout朦méngused in 朦朧|朦胧孟mèngfirst month of a season谜míriddle觅mì(literary) to seek泌mì(bound form) to secrete绵miánsilk floss缅miǎnMyanmar (formerly Burma) (abbr. for 緬甸|缅甸)苗miáoHmong or Miao ethnic group of southwest China瞄miáoto take aim渺miǎo(of an expanse of water) vast蔑mièto belittle鸣míngto cry (of birds, animals and insects)铭míngto engrave谬miù(bound form) false蘑mómushroom魔mó(bound form) evil spirit抹mǒto wipe沫mòfoam牡mǔ(of a bird, animal or plant) male亩mǔclassifier for fields姆mǔ(old) female tutor沐mùto bathe牧mùto herd募mùto canvass for contributions穆mùsolemn呐nàbattle cry乃nǎito be囊nángsack挠náoto scratch馁něi(bound form) hungry尼níBuddhist nun逆nìcontrary腻nìgreasy黏niánsticky酿niàngto ferment尿niàoto urinate捏niēto hold between the thumb and fingers拧níngto pinch凝níngto congeal纽niǔto turn虐nüè(bound form) brutal挪nuóto shift殴ōuto beat up趴pāto lie on one's stomach帕pàto wrap徘páiused in 徘徊潘pānPan, faun in Greek mythology, son of Hermes攀pānto climb (by pulling oneself up)叛pànto betray刨bàocarpenter's plane胚pēiembryo沛pèicopious抨pēngattack烹pēngto boil棚péngshed劈pīto hack辟pìto open (a door)媲pìto match僻pì(bound form) remote譬pìto give an example撇piēto cast away坪pínga plain萍píngduckweed颇pōrather魄pò(literary) soul剖pōuto cut open仆púservant菩púused in 菩薩|菩萨浦pǔriver bank谱pǔchart瀑pùwaterfall沏qīto steep (tea)栖qīto perch凄qīintense cold漆qīpaint歧qídivergent祈qíto implore岂qǐhow? (emphatic question)迄qìas yet契qìto carve砌qìto build by laying bricks or stones掐qiāto pick (flowers)洽qiàaccord虔qiánto act with reverence钳qiánpincers遣qiǎn(bound form) to dispatch谴qiǎnto censure嵌qiànto inlay呛qiàngto irritate the nose乔qiáotall侨qiáoemigrant俏qiàogood-looking翘qiáooutstanding撬qiàoto lift怯qiètimid窃qièto steal钦qīnto respect秦qínQin dynasty (221–207 BC) of the first emperor 秦始皇禽qín(bound form) birds寝qǐn(bound form) to lie down to sleep or rest擎qíngto raise顷qǐngunit of area equal to 100 畝|亩 or 6.67 hectares丘qiūmound躯qūhuman body拳quánfist犬quǎn(literary) dog雀què(bound form) small bird攘rǎng(literary) to push up one's sleeves嚷rǎngto shout惹rěto provoke仁rénhumane韧rènannealed溶róngto dissolve冗rǒngextraneous揉róuto knead儒rúscholar辱rǔdisgrace瑞ruìlucky萨sàused in 菩薩|菩萨桑sāng(bound form) mulberry tree嫂sǎo(bound form) older brother's wife臊sāoto smell of urine (or sweat etc)僧sēng(bound form) Buddhist monk (abbr. for 僧伽)纱shācotton yarn煽shānto fan into a flame膳shànmeals捎shāoto bring sth to sb梢shāotip of branch哨shàoa whistle奢shēextravagant慑shè(bound form) to fear绅shēnmember of gentry渗shènto seep绳shéngrope尸shī(literary) person representing the deceased (during burial ceremonies)蚀shíto nibble away at sth矢shǐarrow侍shìto serve逝shì(of flowing water or time) to pass by嗜shìaddicted to誓shìoath兽shòubeast抒shūto express枢shū(bound form) hinge梳shūto comb疏shūto dredge赎shúto redeem署shǔoffice蜀shǔshort name for Sichuan 四川 province曙shǔ(bound form) daybreak恕shùto forgive耍shuǎto play with甩shuǎito throw拴shuānto tie up栓shuānbottle stopper涮shuànto rinse烁shuòbright丝sīsilk斯sīSlovakia伺sìto watch祀sìto sacrifice肆sìfour (banker's anti-fraud numeral)耸sǒngto excite讼sònglitigation宋sòngthe Song dynasty (960–1279)诵sòngto read aloud颂sòngode酥sūflaky pastry溯sùto go upstream蒜suàngarlic髓suǐ(bound form) bone marrow遂suìto satisfy隧suìtunnel嗦suōto suck塌tāto collapse胎tāifetus泰tàiMt Tai 泰山 in Shandong摊tānto spread out滩tānbeach瘫tānparalyzed痰tánphlegm潭tándeep pool毯tǎnblanket炭tànwood charcoal唐tángTang dynasty (618–907)塘tángdyke膛táng(bound form) hollow space倘tǎngif淌tǎngto drip涛tāobig wave滔tāo(bound form) to inundate陶táopottery腾téng(bound form) to gallop藤téngrattan剔tīto scrape the meat from bones屉tìdrawer剃tìto shave涕tìtears惕tìfearful舔tiǎnto lick帖tiēfitting snugly廷tíngpalace courtyard亭tíngpavilion艇tǐngvessel捅tǒngto poke凸tūto stick out秃tūbald (lacking hair or feathers)涂túto apply (paint etc)屠túto slaughter (animals for food)颓tuíto crumble屯túnto station (soldiers)驮tuóload carried by a pack animal妥tuǒsuitable拓tuòto make a rubbing (e.g. of an inscription)唾tuòsaliva蛙wāfrog瓦wǎroof tile丸wánball挽wǎnto pull惋wǎnto sigh in regret or pity婉wǎngraceful腕wànwrist汪wāngexpanse of water枉wǎngto twist妄wàngabsurd伪wěifalse纬wěilatitude萎wěito wither魏wèiWei state, founded by Cao Cao 曹操, one of the Three Kingdoms after the Han dynasty瘟wēnepidemic纹wénline吻wěnkiss紊wěninvolved翁wēngelderly man涡wōeddy巫wūwitch呜wū(onom.) for humming or whimpering吴wúarea comprising southern Jiangsu, northern Zhejiang and Shanghai侮wǔto insult捂wǔto enclose晤wùto meet (socially)昔xīformer times稀xīsparse锡xītin (chemistry)熙xī(used in names)熄xīto extinguish膝xīknee嬉xīamusement袭xí(bound form) to raid隙xìcrack侠xiáknight-errant狭xiánarrow辖xiálinchpin (used to fasten a wheel to an axle)纤xiānfine掀xiānto lift (a lid)贤xiánworthy or virtuous person弦xiánbow string衔xiánbit (of a bridle)宪xiànstatute馅xiànfilling镶xiāngto inlay翔xiángto soar巷xiànglane削xiāoto peel with a knife萧xiāo(old) Chinese mugwort潇xiāo(of water) deep and clear淆xiáoconfused and disorderly孝xiàofilial piety or obedience啸xiào(of people) to whistle邪xiédemonic挟xié(bound form) to clasp under the arm泄xiè(bound form) to leak out泻xièto flow out swiftly卸xièto unload屑xièbits懈xièlax芯xīn(bound form) the pith of the rush plant (used as a lampwick)馨xīnfragrant衅xìnquarrel腥xīngfishy (smell)刑xíngpunishment汹xiōngtorrential rush绣xiùto embroider嗅xiùto smell墟xūruins徐xúslowly旭xùdawn恤xùanxiety絮xùcotton wadding婿xùson-in-law喧xuānclamor玄xuánblack炫xuànto dazzle靴xuēboots穴xuécave勋xūn(bound form) meritorious accomplishment熏xūnto smoke巡xúnto patrol汛xùnhigh water驯xùnto attain gradually逊xùnto abdicate丫yāfork芽yábud崖yáprecipice涯yáborder哑yǎmute咽yānthroat岩yáncliff衍yǎnto spread out掩yǎnto cover up雁yànwild goose燕yànswallow (family Hirundinidae)殃yāngcalamity秧yāngsapling杨yángpoplar漾yàngto overflow妖yāogoblin谣yáopopular ballad椰yē(bound form) coconut palm冶yěto smelt伊yī(old) third person singular pronoun ("he" or "she")夷yínon-Han people, esp. to the East of China怡yíharmony矣yǐclassical final particle, similar to modern 了倚yǐto lean on屹yìhigh and steep役yìforced labor绎yìcontinuous弈yìancient name for go (Chinese board game)逸yìto escape裔yì(bound form) descendants溢yìto overflow毅yìfirm and resolute翼yìwing荫yìn(bound form) shade (of a tree)殷yīndynasty name at the end the Shang dynasty, after its move to Yinxu 殷墟 in present-day Henan瘾yǐnaddiction荧yínga glimmer盈yíngfull莹yíngluster of gems蝇yíngfly佣yòngcommission (for middleman)庸yōngordinary佑yòu(bound form) to bless诱yòu(literary) to induce渔yúfisherman逾yúto exceed渝yúshort name for Chongqing 重慶|重庆愚yúto be stupid舆yú(literary) chassis of a carriage (contrasted with the canopy 堪)驭yùto drive郁yù(bound form) strongly fragrant吁xūsh御yù(bound form) imperial冤yuāninjustice渊yuāndeep pool袁yuánlong robe (old)曰yuēto speak岳yuèwife's parents and paternal uncles粤yuèCantonese陨yǔn(bound form) to fall from the sky韵yùnthe final (of a syllable) (Chinese phonology)蕴yùnto accumulate栽zāito plant宰zǎito slaughter攒cuánto bring together葬zàngto bury (the dead)凿záo(bound form) chisel枣zǎo(bound form) jujube藻zǎoaquatic grasses皂zàosoap灶zàokitchen stove躁zàoimpatient泽zépool贼zéithief渣zhāslag (in mining or smelting)诈zhàto cheat榨zhàto press沾zhānto moisten瞻zhānto gaze盏zhǎna small cup绽zhànto burst open蘸zhànto dip in (ink, sauce etc)彰zhāngclear杖zhànga staff帐zhàng(bound form) curtain沼zhǎopond兆zhào(bound form) omen赵zhàoone of the seven states during the Warring States period (476–220 BC)罩zhàoto cover肇zhàoat first遮zhēto cover up (a shortcoming)辙zhérut浙zhèZhejiang (province in east China)侦zhēnto scout筝zhēngzither (Chinese plucked string instrument)拯zhěngto raise郑zhèngused in 鄭重|郑重芝zhīZoysia pungens旨zhǐimperial decree峙zhì(literary) to tower aloft挚zhìsincere滞zhì(bound form) sluggish稚zhìinfantile衷zhōnginner feelings仲zhòngsecond month of a season轴zhóuaxis宙zhòueternity皱zhòuto wrinkle朱zhūvermilion烛zhúcandle拄zhǔto lean on嘱zhǔto enjoin贮zhùto store铸zhùto cast or found metals爪zhǎofoot of a bird or animal拽zhuàito pull撰zhuànto compose桩zhuāngstump幢chuángbanner坠zhuìto fall缀zhuìto sew拙zhuōawkward灼zhuóto burn卓zhuóoutstanding浊zhuóturbid酌zhuóto pour wine琢zhuóto cut (gems)兹zī(literary) this滋zīto grow揍zòuto hit卒zúsoldier佐zuǒto assist蜘zhīspider (in 蜘蛛)蛛zhūspider (in 蜘蛛)侥jiǎoby mere luck兀wùsurname Wu凋diāowithered吝lìn(bound form) stingy吟yínto chant呻shēn(literary) to recite咀jǔto chew咕gū(onom.) for the sound of a bird, an empty stomach etc哽gěngto choke with emotion唆suō(bound form) to incite啬sèstingy啰luōused in 囉唆|啰唆 and 囉嗦|啰嗦嘀dī(onom.) sound of dripping water, a ticking clock etc嘈cáobustling噩èstartling嚏tìsneeze嚣xiāoclamor坊fāngsurname Fang坎kǎnpit坷kēused in 坷垃夯hāngto ram奚xīsurname Xi寐mèito sleep soundly屁pìfart屎shǐfeces岖qūused in 崎嶇|崎岖峭qiàohigh and steep崎qímountainous帚zhǒubroom帷wéicurtain幄wòtent庇bìto protect徙xǐ(literary) to change one's residence怂sóngcowardly恿yǒngused in 慫恿|怂恿悴cuìhaggard惬qièsatisfied惮dàndread憔qiáoused in 憔悴憧chōngused in 憧憬憨hānsilly憬jǐngawaken抉juéto pick out拇mǔthumb掷zhìto toss揠yàto eradicate撵niǎnto expel斟zhēnto pour暄xuāngenial and warm暧ài(of daylight) dim暨jì(literary) and梭suō(textiles) shuttle椭tuǒellipse檐yáneaves汲jísurname Ji泞nìngmuddy涩sèastringent淤yūsilt淳chúngenuine湃pàiused in 澎湃湛zhànsurname Zhan溺nìto drown澈chèclear (water)澎péngused in 澎湃濒bīnto approach瀚hànocean焙bèito dry over a fire熨yùnan iron犀xīrhinoceros狐húfox狸líraccoon dog琐suǒfragmentary瑕xiáblemish璀cuǐluster of gems璨càngem疙gēpimple疤bāscar疵cīblemish瘩daused in 疙瘩 (lump瘸quélame眯mīto narrow one's eyes眶kuàng(bound form) eye socket眺tiàoto gaze into the distance睐làito glance矗chùlofty簸bǒto winnow籽zǐseeds粕pògrains in distilled liquor绊bànto trip耘yúnto weed聆líng(literary) to hear肴yáocooked dishes腆tiǎnmake strong (as liquors)腼miǎnused in 靦腆|腼腆臀túnbuttocks苟gǒusurname Gou茁zhuóto display vigorous, new growth茉mòused in 茉莉荤hūnstrong-smelling vegetable (garlic etc)莅lìriver in Hebei莉lìused in 茉莉蔚wèiluxuriant藐miǎoto despise蛀zhùtermite螃pángused in 螃蟹蟹xiècrab裳chánglower garment褒bāoto praise诠quánto explain诡guǐ(bound form) sly诬wūto accuse falsely豚túnsuckling pig赘zhuì(bound form) superfluous跷qiāoto raise one's foot蹊xī(literary) footpath蹋tàto step on辕yuánshaft of a cart or carriage辗niǎnto roll迸bèngto burst forth邃suìdeep酪làocheese钝dùnblunt钮niǔsurname Niu锄chúa hoe锲qièto cut雌cífemale雹báohail饪rèncooked food骼géused in 骨骼鲤lǐcarp鲸jīngwhale麟línqilin (Chinese mythical creature)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many characters are in HSK 7-9?
HSK 7–9 contains 1205 unique characters under the HSK 3.0 standard (official CLEC 2022 syllabus, effective 2026). These advanced bands did not exist under the old HSK 2.0 system, which stopped at Level 6. The 1205 characters are shared across bands 7, 8, and 9, with proficiency differentiated by vocabulary scope and reading/writing ability rather than distinct character lists.
How many words are in HSK 7-9?
HSK 7-9 includes 5,600 vocabulary words under the HSK 3.0 standard (CLEC 2022). Word count and character count are different: a single character like 学 can appear in multiple vocabulary words (学生 "student," 学习 "to study," 大学 "university"). HSK 7-9 has 1205 unique characters but 5,600 vocabulary words formed from those and other characters.
Why are HSK 7, 8, and 9 grouped together?
Under the HSK 3.0 standard (CLEC 2022), levels 7, 8, and 9 share a common pool of 1205 characters. The three bands are differentiated by vocabulary scope and proficiency expectations rather than by distinct character lists. HSK 7–9 is entirely new — the old HSK 2.0 system only had levels 1 through 6, so there is no legacy equivalent for comparison.
How long does it take to learn HSK 7-9?
Most learners report reaching HSK 7-9 proficiency after approximately 1,800+ cumulative hours of study from a beginner level. This varies significantly based on native language (speakers of Japanese or Korean progress faster due to shared characters), study method, daily practice time, and immersion opportunities. Consistent spaced-repetition practice — reviewing characters at increasing intervals as you master them — can accelerate character retention considerably.
What are the hardest HSK 7-9 characters?
By stroke complexity, the most challenging HSK 7-9 characters include 矗 (chù, 24 strokes), 麟 (lín, 23 strokes), 囊 (náng, 22 strokes), 镶 (xiāng, 22 strokes), 蘸 (zhàn, 22 strokes). The average stroke count at this level is 11. Characters with more strokes generally require more practice to write correctly and distinguish visually — using animated stroke-order guides and spaced repetition helps build muscle memory for complex characters.
What topics does HSK 7-9 cover?
HSK 7-9 focuses on classical Chinese, rare and literary characters, specialized academic vocabulary, archaic expressions, advanced professional terminology, and dialectal written forms. Mastering this level equips you for literary criticism, academic publishing in Chinese, simultaneous interpretation, reading classical texts without annotations, and advanced professional specialization.
What is the CEFR equivalent of HSK 7-9?
HSK 7-9 corresponds to CEFR level C2+ under the HSK 3.0 framework (CLEC 2022). The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) alignment was established as part of the HSK 3.0 restructuring to provide an international reference point. This exceeds the standard CEFR scale and targets the highest level of proficiency — comparable to a highly educated native speaker's reading ability across academic, literary, and classical domains.
Is HSK 7-9 needed for living in China?
No — most daily communication in China uses characters at the HSK 6 level or below. HSK 7–9 targets advanced academic and professional contexts: literary criticism, academic publishing, simultaneous interpretation, and reading classical Chinese texts. For everyday life, work, and even most professional contexts in China, HSK 5–6 proficiency is more than sufficient. HSK 7–9 is primarily relevant for professional translators, academics, and specialists who work with Chinese at the highest level.
Sources & Standards
Character data on this page is based on the HSK 3.0 Standard (《国际中文教育中文水平等级标准》), published by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, 2022 revision. The standard took effect as the official syllabus for HSK examinations beginning in 2026.
Character counts, vocabulary word counts, and level classifications reflect the official CLEC syllabus. CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) equivalences follow the alignment established in the HSK 3.0 specification. All character statistics (stroke counts, radical classifications, frequency rankings) are computed from HanziFeed's curated dataset of 1,205 characters at this level.