HSK 5 test vocab Flashcards

Question

go bankrupt

Answer 1

破产 (pò chǎn) – go bankrupt 破 (pò) – broken; to break; to defeat; to expose. Radical: 石 (shí – stone) + component 皮 (pí – skin/hide). Stone (石) hitting skin (皮) → break, smash. Other common usage: 破坏 (pòhuài – destroy), 打破 (dǎpò – break), 破烂 (pòlàn – tattered). 产 (chǎn) – produce; property; give birth. Radical: 亠 (tóu – lid) + 厂 (hǎn – cliff) + 生 (shēng – life/birth). Simplified: 产 (lid over cliff gives birth to life → production). Traditional: 產 – 生 under cliff. Other common usage: 生产 (shēngchǎn – produce), 产品 (chǎnpǐn – product), 财产 (cáichǎn – property). Mnemonic: A stone (破) smashes property (产) → financial ruin → bankruptcy. Related words: 破产法 (pòchǎnfǎ) – bankruptcy law Similar-looking characters: 产 vs. 严 (yán – strict). 产 has 生 below; 严 has two dots and a vertical line. Production (产) grows life; strict (严) has a serious face. Sample sentence: 那家公司因为经营不善而破产了。 Nà jiā gōngsī yīnwèi jīngyíng bùshàn ér pòchǎn le. (That company went bankrupt due to poor management.)

Answer 2

破产 (pò chǎn) – go bankrupt 破 (pò) – broken; to break; to defeat; to expose. Radical: 石 (shí – stone) + component 皮 (pí – skin/hide). Stone (石) hitting skin (皮) → break, smash. Other common usage: 破坏 (pòhuài – destroy), 打破 (dǎpò – break), 破烂 (pòlàn – tattered). 产 (chǎn) – produce; property; give birth. Radical: 亠 (tóu – lid) + 厂 (hǎn – cliff) + 生 (shēng – life/birth). Simplified: 产 (lid over cliff gives birth to life → production). Traditional: 產 – 生 under cliff. Other common usage: 生产 (shēngchǎn – produce), 产品 (chǎnpǐn – product), 财产 (cáichǎn – property). Mnemonic: A stone (破) smashes property (产) → financial ruin → bankruptcy. Related words: 破产法 (pòchǎnfǎ) – bankruptcy law Similar-looking characters: 产 vs. 严 (yán – strict). 产 has 生 below; 严 has two dots and a vertical line. Production (产) grows life; strict (严) has a serious face. Sample sentence: 那家公司因为经营不善而破产了。 Nà jiā gōngsī yīnwèi jīngyíng bùshàn ér pòchǎn le. (That company went bankrupt due to poor management.)

Answer 3

时髦 (shí máo) – fashionable, vogue 时 (shí) – time; season; current; era. Radical: 日 (rì – sun) + component 寸 (cùn – inch/measure). Sun (日) moving by the inch (寸) → time passes. Other common usage: 时间 (shíjiān – time), 时代 (shídài – era), 及时 (jíshí – timely). 髦 (máo) – fashionable; mane (hair on a horse). Radical: 髟 (biāo – long hair) + component 毛 (máo – hair/feather). 髟 depicts flowing hair; 毛 is hair. Together: long hair on a horse’s mane → something stylish, as in ancient times a long mane was considered elegant. Other common usage: 髦士 (máoshì – an outstanding person, archaic). Mnemonic: The current (时) long-hair (髦) style is fashionable. Imagine a trendy person with a flowing mane. Related words: 时尚 (shíshàng) – fashion, 流行 (liúxíng) – popular Similar-looking characters: 髦 vs. 髯 (rán – whiskers). Both have 髟; 髦 has 毛 (hair), 髯 has 冉 (slowly). Mane (髦) is hair on neck; whiskers (髯) are facial hair. Sample sentence: 这种打扮现在已经不时髦了。 Zhè zhǒng dǎban xiànzài yǐjīng bù shímáo le. (This kind of dress is no longer fashionable now.)

Answer 4

时髦 (shí máo) – fashionable, vogue 时 (shí) – time; season; current; era. Radical: 日 (rì – sun) + component 寸 (cùn – inch/measure). Sun (日) moving by the inch (寸) → time passes. Other common usage: 时间 (shíjiān – time), 时代 (shídài – era), 及时 (jíshí – timely). 髦 (máo) – fashionable; mane (hair on a horse). Radical: 髟 (biāo – long hair) + component 毛 (máo – hair/feather). 髟 depicts flowing hair; 毛 is hair. Together: long hair on a horse’s mane → something stylish, as in ancient times a long mane was considered elegant. Other common usage: 髦士 (máoshì – an outstanding person, archaic). Mnemonic: The current (时) long-hair (髦) style is fashionable. Imagine a trendy person with a flowing mane. Related words: 时尚 (shíshàng) – fashion, 流行 (liúxíng) – popular Similar-looking characters: 髦 vs. 髯 (rán – whiskers). Both have 髟; 髦 has 毛 (hair), 髯 has 冉 (slowly). Mane (髦) is hair on neck; whiskers (髯) are facial hair. Sample sentence: 这种打扮现在已经不时髦了。 Zhè zhǒng dǎban xiànzài yǐjīng bù shímáo le. (This kind of dress is no longer fashionable now.)

Answer 5

委屈 (wěi qū) – feel wronged; do sb wrong 委 (wěi) – entrust; bend; committee; indeed. Radical: 女 (nǚ – woman) + component 禾 (hé – grain). A woman (女) gathering grain (禾) → bending down to work → by extension, yielding, entrusting. Other common usage: 委托 (wěituō – entrust), 委员 (wěiyuán – committee member), 委婉 (wěiwǎn – tactful). 屈 (qū) – bend; subdue; wrong; grievance. Radical: 尸 (shī – corpse/body) + component 出 (chū – go out). Body (尸) exiting (出) but bent → to bend, submit, or suffer injustice. Other common usage: 屈服 (qūfú – surrender), 屈辱 (qūrǔ – humiliation), 屈指可数 (qūzhǐkěshǔ – can be counted on fingers). Mnemonic: A woman (委) bending (屈) under unfair treatment → feeling wronged. Related words: 受委屈 (shòu wěiqū) – suffer wrong, 委屈求全 (wěiqū qiúquán) – to compromise for the greater good. Similar-looking characters: 屈 vs. 窟 (kū – cave). 屈 has 出; 窟 has 穴 (cave) + 屈. A cave (窟) is a hole where you might bend (屈) to enter. Sample sentence: 他误会了我，我觉得很委屈。 Tā wùhuìle wǒ, wǒ juéde hěn wěiqū. (He misunderstood me, I feel very wronged.)

Answer 6

委屈 (wěi qū) – feel wronged; do sb wrong 委 (wěi) – entrust; bend; committee; indeed. Radical: 女 (nǚ – woman) + component 禾 (hé – grain). A woman (女) gathering grain (禾) → bending down to work → by extension, yielding, entrusting. Other common usage: 委托 (wěituō – entrust), 委员 (wěiyuán – committee member), 委婉 (wěiwǎn – tactful). 屈 (qū) – bend; subdue; wrong; grievance. Radical: 尸 (shī – corpse/body) + component 出 (chū – go out). Body (尸) exiting (出) but bent → to bend, submit, or suffer injustice. Other common usage: 屈服 (qūfú – surrender), 屈辱 (qūrǔ – humiliation), 屈指可数 (qūzhǐkěshǔ – can be counted on fingers). Mnemonic: A woman (委) bending (屈) under unfair treatment → feeling wronged. Related words: 受委屈 (shòu wěiqū) – suffer wrong, 委屈求全 (wěiqū qiúquán) – to compromise for the greater good. Similar-looking characters: 屈 vs. 窟 (kū – cave). 屈 has 出; 窟 has 穴 (cave) + 屈. A cave (窟) is a hole where you might bend (屈) to enter. Sample sentence: 他误会了我，我觉得很委屈。 Tā wùhuìle wǒ, wǒ juéde hěn wěiqū. (He misunderstood me, I feel very wronged.)

Answer 7

慌张 (huāng zhāng) – flustered, panicking 慌 (huāng) – flustered; panic; to get scared. Radical: 忄 (xīn – heart, vertical form) + component 荒 (huāng – desolate/waste). Heart (忄) feels desolate (荒) → panic. Other common usage: 惊慌 (jīnghuāng – alarmed), 恐慌 (kǒnghuāng – panic), 慌乱 (huāngluàn – flustered). 张 (zhāng) – to open; stretch; sheet; nervous (in 慌张). Radical: 弓 (gōng – bow) + component 长 (cháng – long). Drawing a bow (弓) stretches it long (长) → to open, spread. In 慌张, the “stretched” feeling of nerves → nervousness. Other common usage: 紧张 (jǐnzhāng – nervous/tense), 张开 (zhāngkāi – open wide), 纸张 (zhǐzhāng – paper). Mnemonic: Your heart (慌) is stretched (张) like a bowstring – that’s being flustered. Related words: 慌张失措 (huāngzhāng shīcuò) – panicked and losing composure Similar-looking characters: 张 vs. 胀 (zhàng – swell). Both have 长; 张 uses 弓 (bow), 胀 uses 月 (body). A bow stretches (张); a body swells (胀). Sample sentence: 听到消息后，他慌张地跑出去了。 Tīng dào xiāoxi hòu, tā huāngzhāng de pǎo chūqù le. (After hearing the news, he ran out flustered.)

Answer 8

慌张 (huāng zhāng) – flustered, panicking 慌 (huāng) – flustered; panic; to get scared. Radical: 忄 (xīn – heart, vertical form) + component 荒 (huāng – desolate/waste). Heart (忄) feels desolate (荒) → panic. Other common usage: 惊慌 (jīnghuāng – alarmed), 恐慌 (kǒnghuāng – panic), 慌乱 (huāngluàn – flustered). 张 (zhāng) – to open; stretch; sheet; nervous (in 慌张). Radical: 弓 (gōng – bow) + component 长 (cháng – long). Drawing a bow (弓) stretches it long (长) → to open, spread. In 慌张, the “stretched” feeling of nerves → nervousness. Other common usage: 紧张 (jǐnzhāng – nervous/tense), 张开 (zhāngkāi – open wide), 纸张 (zhǐzhāng – paper). Mnemonic: Your heart (慌) is stretched (张) like a bowstring – that’s being flustered. Related words: 慌张失措 (huāngzhāng shīcuò) – panicked and losing composure Similar-looking characters: 张 vs. 胀 (zhàng – swell). Both have 长; 张 uses 弓 (bow), 胀 uses 月 (body). A bow stretches (张); a body swells (胀). Sample sentence: 听到消息后，他慌张地跑出去了。 Tīng dào xiāoxi hòu, tā huāngzhāng de pǎo chūqù le. (After hearing the news, he ran out flustered.)

Answer 9

犹豫 (yóu yù) – hesitate; hesitant 犹 (yóu) – still; as if; a kind of monkey (archaic); hesitate. Radical: 犭 (quǎn – dog/animal) + component 尤 (yóu – especially). Animal (犭) like a monkey that is indecisive – still (犹) not moving. Other common usage: 犹如 (yóurú – just like), 犹豫不决 (yóuyù bùjué – hesitant and undecided). 豫 (yù) – pleased; comfortable; (used in 犹豫). Radical: 豕 (shǐ – pig) + component 予 (yǔ – give). Pig (豕) given (予) to someone? Actually 豫 originally means elephant (large animal), later “comfortable, hesitant”. In 犹豫, both characters together mimic the sound and sense of indecision. Other common usage: 逸豫 (yìyù – comfortable and happy, literary). Mnemonic: An animal (犹) and a pig (豫) stand at a crossroads, neither moves → hesitation. Related words: 犹豫不决 (yóuyù bùjué) – hesitant and indecisive Similar-looking characters: 犹 vs. 忧 (yōu – worry). 犹 has 犭 (dog); 忧 has 忄 (heart). Dog hesitates; heart worries. 豫 vs. 象 (xiàng – elephant). 豫 contains 豕 (pig) + 予; 象 has ⺈ + 口 + 豕. Elephant (象) is larger; 豫 is more abstract. Sample sentence: 他在选择大学时犹豫了很久。 Tā zài xuǎnzé dàxué shí yóuyù le hěn jiǔ. (He hesitated for a long time when choosing a university.)

Answer 10

犹豫 (yóu yù) – hesitate; hesitant 犹 (yóu) – still; as if; a kind of monkey (archaic); hesitate. Radical: 犭 (quǎn – dog/animal) + component 尤 (yóu – especially). Animal (犭) like a monkey that is indecisive – still (犹) not moving. Other common usage: 犹如 (yóurú – just like), 犹豫不决 (yóuyù bùjué – hesitant and undecided). 豫 (yù) – pleased; comfortable; (used in 犹豫). Radical: 豕 (shǐ – pig) + component 予 (yǔ – give). Pig (豕) given (予) to someone? Actually 豫 originally means elephant (large animal), later “comfortable, hesitant”. In 犹豫, both characters together mimic the sound and sense of indecision. Other common usage: 逸豫 (yìyù – comfortable and happy, literary). Mnemonic: An animal (犹) and a pig (豫) stand at a crossroads, neither moves → hesitation. Related words: 犹豫不决 (yóuyù bùjué) – hesitant and indecisive Similar-looking characters: 犹 vs. 忧 (yōu – worry). 犹 has 犭 (dog); 忧 has 忄 (heart). Dog hesitates; heart worries. 豫 vs. 象 (xiàng – elephant). 豫 contains 豕 (pig) + 予; 象 has ⺈ + 口 + 豕. Elephant (象) is larger; 豫 is more abstract. Sample sentence: 他在选择大学时犹豫了很久。 Tā zài xuǎnzé dàxué shí yóuyù le hěn jiǔ. (He hesitated for a long time when choosing a university.)

Answer 11

凡 (fán) – all, every, any, in all, ordinary 凡 (fán) – all; every; ordinary; secular; altogether. Radical: 几 (jǐ – small table) + dot (丶). A small table (几) with a dot – all items on the table → everything, ordinary. Other common usage: 平凡 (píngfán – ordinary), 凡是 (fánshì – every/all), 非凡 (fēifán – extraordinary). Mnemonic: The dot (丶) on the table (几) represents “every single thing” on it. Related words: 凡人 (fánrén) – ordinary person, 凡间 (fánjiān) – mortal world Similar-looking characters: 凡 vs. 几 (jǐ – several; small table). 凡 has a dot inside; 几 is just the table. Dot = all; no dot = a few. Sample sentence: 凡是他答应的事，他都会做到。 Fán shì tā dāyìng de shì, tā dōu huì zuò dào. (Whatever he promises, he will accomplish.)

Answer 12

凡 (fán) – all, every, any, in all, ordinary 凡 (fán) – all; every; ordinary; secular; altogether. Radical: 几 (jǐ – small table) + dot (丶). A small table (几) with a dot – all items on the table → everything, ordinary. Other common usage: 平凡 (píngfán – ordinary), 凡是 (fánshì – every/all), 非凡 (fēifán – extraordinary). Mnemonic: The dot (丶) on the table (几) represents “every single thing” on it. Related words: 凡人 (fánrén) – ordinary person, 凡间 (fánjiān) – mortal world Similar-looking characters: 凡 vs. 几 (jǐ – several; small table). 凡 has a dot inside; 几 is just the table. Dot = all; no dot = a few. Sample sentence: 凡是他答应的事，他都会做到。 Fán shì tā dāyìng de shì, tā dōu huì zuò dào. (Whatever he promises, he will accomplish.)

Answer 13

倒霉 (dǎo méi) – be down on one’s luck, unlucky 倒 (dǎo) – to fall; to collapse; to reverse; to pour. Radical: 亻 (rén – person) + component 到 (dào – arrive/ to). Person (亻) arriving (到) but falling – topple over. Other common usage: 摔倒 (shuāidǎo – fall down), 倒车 (dàochē – reverse a car), 倒霉 (dǎoméi – bad luck). 霉 (méi) – mold; mildew; bad luck. Radical: 雨 (yǔ – rain) + component 每 (měi – each/every). Rain (雨) on everything (每) → damp → mold → bad luck. Other common usage: 发霉 (fāméi – go moldy), 霉菌 (méijūn – mold fungus). Mnemonic: A person (倒) falls into moldy (霉) rain – that’s bad luck. Related words: 倒霉蛋 (dǎoméidàn) – unlucky person (slang) Similar-looking characters: 霉 vs. 莓 (méi – berry). Both have 每; 霉 has 雨 (rain), 莓 has 艹 (grass). Rain + every = mold; grass + every = berry (strawberry 草莓). Sample sentence: 今天真倒霉，出门就下雨，还丢了钥匙。 Jīntiān zhēn dǎoméi, chūmén jiù xiàyǔ, hái diūle yàoshi. (What bad luck today – as soon as I went out it rained, and I lost my keys.) 倒霉透了 (dǎo méi tòu le) – extremely unlucky 透 (tòu) – to penetrate; thorough; extremely; through. Radical: 辶 (chuò – walk) + component 秀 (xiù – elegant). Walking (辶) through elegance (秀) → penetrate, go through. Other common usage: 透明 (tòumíng – transparent), 看透 (kàntòu – see through), 透彻 (tòuchè – thorough). Mnemonic: Bad luck penetrates (透) completely (了) → extremely unlucky. Related words: 透了 (tòule) – extremely (after adjectives) Sample sentence: 今天真是倒霉透了，手机也摔坏了。 Jīntiān zhēnshi dǎoméi tòu le, shǒujī yě shuāi huài le. (Today is really extremely unlucky – I also broke my phone.)

Answer 14

倒霉 (dǎo méi) – be down on one’s luck, unlucky 倒 (dǎo) – to fall; to collapse; to reverse; to pour. Radical: 亻 (rén – person) + component 到 (dào – arrive/ to). Person (亻) arriving (到) but falling – topple over. Other common usage: 摔倒 (shuāidǎo – fall down), 倒车 (dàochē – reverse a car), 倒霉 (dǎoméi – bad luck). 霉 (méi) – mold; mildew; bad luck. Radical: 雨 (yǔ – rain) + component 每 (měi – each/every). Rain (雨) on everything (每) → damp → mold → bad luck. Other common usage: 发霉 (fāméi – go moldy), 霉菌 (méijūn – mold fungus). Mnemonic: A person (倒) falls into moldy (霉) rain – that’s bad luck. Related words: 倒霉蛋 (dǎoméidàn) – unlucky person (slang) Similar-looking characters: 霉 vs. 莓 (méi – berry). Both have 每; 霉 has 雨 (rain), 莓 has 艹 (grass). Rain + every = mold; grass + every = berry (strawberry 草莓). Sample sentence: 今天真倒霉，出门就下雨，还丢了钥匙。 Jīntiān zhēn dǎoméi, chūmén jiù xiàyǔ, hái diūle yàoshi. (What bad luck today – as soon as I went out it rained, and I lost my keys.) 倒霉透了 (dǎo méi tòu le) – extremely unlucky 透 (tòu) – to penetrate; thorough; extremely; through. Radical: 辶 (chuò – walk) + component 秀 (xiù – elegant). Walking (辶) through elegance (秀) → penetrate, go through. Other common usage: 透明 (tòumíng – transparent), 看透 (kàntòu – see through), 透彻 (tòuchè – thorough). Mnemonic: Bad luck penetrates (透) completely (了) → extremely unlucky. Related words: 透了 (tòule) – extremely (after adjectives) Sample sentence: 今天真是倒霉透了，手机也摔坏了。 Jīntiān zhēnshi dǎoméi tòu le, shǒujī yě shuāi huài le. (Today is really extremely unlucky – I also broke my phone.)

Answer 15

谨慎 (jǐn shèn) – cautious, prudent, discreet 谨 (jǐn) – cautious; solemn; respectful. Radical: 讠 (yán – speech, simplified) + component 堇 (jǐn – yellow clay/rare). Traditional: 謹 with 言. Speech (言) restrained as if handling yellow clay (堇) → careful in words. Other common usage: 谨防 (jǐnfáng – beware), 谨记 (jǐnjì – remember carefully). 慎 (shèn) – careful; cautious. Radical: 忄 (xīn – heart) + component 真 (zhēn – true/real). Heart (忄) focused on truth (真) → thorough caution. Other common usage: 慎重 (shènzhòng – serious/careful), 不慎 (bùshèn – careless). Mnemonic: Speak (谨) with a truthful heart (慎) → be cautious and prudent. Related words: 小心谨慎 (xiǎoxīn jǐnshèn) – very cautious, 谨慎行事 (jǐnshèn xíngshì) – act prudently Similar-looking characters: 谨 vs. 勤 (qín – diligent). 谨 has 讠 (speech); 勤 has 力 (strength). Cautious speech vs. diligent effort. 慎 vs. 镇 (zhèn – town). 慎 has 忄 (heart); 镇 has 钅 (metal). Heart of caution vs. metal town. Sample sentence: 开车时一定要谨慎。 Kāichē shí yīdìng yào jǐnshèn. (You must be cautious when driving.) 谦虚谨慎 (qiān xū jǐn shèn) – modest and discreet 谦 (qiān) – modest. Radical: 讠 (speech) + 兼 (jiān – combine). Speaking (讠) with a combined (兼) sense of humility. Other common usage: 谦虚 (qiānxū – modest), 谦让 (qiānràng – humbly yield).Related words: 谦卑 (qiānbēi) - humble 虚 (xū) – empty; false; humble; weak. Radical: 虍 (tiger) + 业 (business). Tiger (虍) over business (业) – empty threat → emptiness, humility. Other common usage: 空虚 (kōngxū – empty), 虚伪 (xūwěi – hypocritical), 虚心 (xūxīn – open-minded/humble).虚心 (xūxīn) – open-minded Mnemonic: Humble speech (谦) and empty pride (虚) plus caution (谨慎) – modesty and discretion. Sample sentence: 我们要保持谦虚谨慎的作风。 Wǒmen yào bǎochí qiānxū jǐnshèn de zuòfēng. (We must maintain a modest and discreet work style.)

Answer 16

谨慎 (jǐn shèn) – cautious, prudent, discreet 谨 (jǐn) – cautious; solemn; respectful. Radical: 讠 (yán – speech, simplified) + component 堇 (jǐn – yellow clay/rare). Traditional: 謹 with 言. Speech (言) restrained as if handling yellow clay (堇) → careful in words. Other common usage: 谨防 (jǐnfáng – beware), 谨记 (jǐnjì – remember carefully). 慎 (shèn) – careful; cautious. Radical: 忄 (xīn – heart) + component 真 (zhēn – true/real). Heart (忄) focused on truth (真) → thorough caution. Other common usage: 慎重 (shènzhòng – serious/careful), 不慎 (bùshèn – careless). Mnemonic: Speak (谨) with a truthful heart (慎) → be cautious and prudent. Related words: 小心谨慎 (xiǎoxīn jǐnshèn) – very cautious, 谨慎行事 (jǐnshèn xíngshì) – act prudently Similar-looking characters: 谨 vs. 勤 (qín – diligent). 谨 has 讠 (speech); 勤 has 力 (strength). Cautious speech vs. diligent effort. 慎 vs. 镇 (zhèn – town). 慎 has 忄 (heart); 镇 has 钅 (metal). Heart of caution vs. metal town. Sample sentence: 开车时一定要谨慎。 Kāichē shí yīdìng yào jǐnshèn. (You must be cautious when driving.) 谦虚谨慎 (qiān xū jǐn shèn) – modest and discreet 谦 (qiān) – modest. Radical: 讠 (speech) + 兼 (jiān – combine). Speaking (讠) with a combined (兼) sense of humility. Other common usage: 谦虚 (qiānxū – modest), 谦让 (qiānràng – humbly yield).Related words: 谦卑 (qiānbēi) - humble 虚 (xū) – empty; false; humble; weak. Radical: 虍 (tiger) + 业 (business). Tiger (虍) over business (业) – empty threat → emptiness, humility. Other common usage: 空虚 (kōngxū – empty), 虚伪 (xūwěi – hypocritical), 虚心 (xūxīn – open-minded/humble).虚心 (xūxīn) – open-minded Mnemonic: Humble speech (谦) and empty pride (虚) plus caution (谨慎) – modesty and discretion. Sample sentence: 我们要保持谦虚谨慎的作风。 Wǒmen yào bǎochí qiānxū jǐnshèn de zuòfēng. (We must maintain a modest and discreet work style.)

Answer 17

命运 (mìng yùn) – fate, destiny 命 (mìng) – life; command; fate. Radical: 人 (rén) + 口 (kǒu) + 卩 (jié – kneeling person). A person (人) giving orders (口) to a kneeling person (卩) → command → destiny. Other common usage: 生命 (shēngmìng – life), 命令 (mìnglìng – order), 算命 (suànmìng – fortune-telling). 运 (yùn) – to move; transport; fortune. Radical: 辶 (walk) + 云 (yún – cloud). Clouds (云) moving (辶) → transport → luck/fortune. Other common usage: 运动 (yùndòng – sports/movement), 运气 (yùnqi – luck), 运输 (yùnshū – transport). Mnemonic: Life’s command (命) is moved by clouds (运) → fate is like clouds drifting. Related words: 命运多舛 (mìngyùn duō chuǎn) – a fate full of twists and turns Similar-looking characters: 命 vs. 令 (lìng – order). 命 has an extra 口 (mouth) below 人. A command (令) becomes destiny (命) when spoken (口). Sample sentence: 他不相信命运，只相信自己的努力。 Tā bù xiāngxìn mìngyùn, zhǐ xiāngxìn zìjǐ de nǔlì. (He doesn’t believe in fate, only in his own efforts.)

Answer 18

命运 (mìng yùn) – fate, destiny 命 (mìng) – life; command; fate. Radical: 人 (rén) + 口 (kǒu) + 卩 (jié – kneeling person). A person (人) giving orders (口) to a kneeling person (卩) → command → destiny. Other common usage: 生命 (shēngmìng – life), 命令 (mìnglìng – order), 算命 (suànmìng – fortune-telling). 运 (yùn) – to move; transport; fortune. Radical: 辶 (walk) + 云 (yún – cloud). Clouds (云) moving (辶) → transport → luck/fortune. Other common usage: 运动 (yùndòng – sports/movement), 运气 (yùnqi – luck), 运输 (yùnshū – transport). Mnemonic: Life’s command (命) is moved by clouds (运) → fate is like clouds drifting. Related words: 命运多舛 (mìngyùn duō chuǎn) – a fate full of twists and turns Similar-looking characters: 命 vs. 令 (lìng – order). 命 has an extra 口 (mouth) below 人. A command (令) becomes destiny (命) when spoken (口). Sample sentence: 他不相信命运，只相信自己的努力。 Tā bù xiāngxìn mìngyùn, zhǐ xiāngxìn zìjǐ de nǔlì. (He doesn’t believe in fate, only in his own efforts.)

Answer 19

前途 (qián tú) – outlook, future, prospect 前 (qián) – front; before; forward. Radical: 丷 (bā – eight) + 月 (yuè – moon/meat) + 刂 (knife). Original: cutting (刂) a boat (舟) – moving forward. Simplified: eight (丷) over moon (月) with knife (刂) – going ahead. Other common usage: 前面 (qiánmiàn – front), 前进 (qiánjìn – advance), 以前 (yǐqián – before). 途 (tú) – way; road; journey. Radical: 辶 (walk) + 余 (yú – surplus/me). Walking (辶) on the surplus (余) path – a road. Other common usage: 路途 (lùtú – journey), 沿途 (yántú – along the way), 用途 (yòngtú – use/application).长途 cháng tú - adj. long-distance Mnemonic: The road (途) ahead (前) – your future path. Related words: 前途无量 (qiántú wúliàng) – have a boundless future Similar-looking characters: 前 vs. 剪 (jiǎn – scissors). 前 has 刂 (knife); 剪 has 刀 (knife) + 月? Actually 剪 is 前 + 刀. Scissors (剪) have an extra knife. 途 vs. 涂 (tú – to smear). 途 has 辶 (walk); 涂 has 氵 (water). Walking on road vs. smearing with water. Sample sentence: 只要你努力

Answer 20

前途 (qián tú) – outlook, future, prospect 前 (qián) – front; before; forward. Radical: 丷 (bā – eight) + 月 (yuè – moon/meat) + 刂 (knife). Original: cutting (刂) a boat (舟) – moving forward. Simplified: eight (丷) over moon (月) with knife (刂) – going ahead. Other common usage: 前面 (qiánmiàn – front), 前进 (qiánjìn – advance), 以前 (yǐqián – before). 途 (tú) – way; road; journey. Radical: 辶 (walk) + 余 (yú – surplus/me). Walking (辶) on the surplus (余) path – a road. Other common usage: 路途 (lùtú – journey), 沿途 (yántú – along the way), 用途 (yòngtú – use/application).长途 cháng tú - adj. long-distance Mnemonic: The road (途) ahead (前) – your future path. Related words: 前途无量 (qiántú wúliàng) – have a boundless future Similar-looking characters: 前 vs. 剪 (jiǎn – scissors). 前 has 刂 (knife); 剪 has 刀 (knife) + 月? Actually 剪 is 前 + 刀. Scissors (剪) have an extra knife. 途 vs. 涂 (tú – to smear). 途 has 辶 (walk); 涂 has 氵 (water). Walking on road vs. smearing with water. Sample sentence: 只要你努力，前途一定会很光明。 Zhǐyào nǐ nǔlì, qiántú yīdìng huì hěn guāngmíng. (As long as you work hard, your future will be bright.)

Answer 21

确认 (què rèn) – confirm 确 (què) – certain; firm; true; confirm. Radical: 石 (stone) + component 角 (jiǎo – horn/angle). Stone (石) like a horn (角) – solid, hard → certain. Other common usage: 确定 (quèdìng – determine), 正确 (zhèngquè – correct), 的确 (díquè – indeed). 认 (rèn) – recognize; know; admit; accept. Radical: 讠 (speech) + 人 (rén – person). Speech (讠) to a person (人) – recognize someone. Other common usage: 认识 (rènshi – know), 认真 (rènzhēn – serious), 认可 (rènkě – approve). Mnemonic: A stone-solid (确) recognition (认) – confirming a fact. Related words: 确认书 (quèrènshū) – confirmation letter Similar-looking characters: 确 vs. 触 (chù – touch). 确 has 石 (stone); 触 has 角 (horn) + 虫 (insect). Stone is hard; touch involves insect? 认 vs. 让 (ràng – let). 认 has 人 (person); 让 has 上 (up). Recognize a person; let someone go up. Sample sentence: 请确认你的电子邮件地址。 Qǐng quèrèn nǐ de diànzǐ yóujiàn dìzhǐ. (Please confirm your email address.)

Answer 22

确认 (què rèn) – confirm 确 (què) – certain; firm; true; confirm. Radical: 石 (stone) + component 角 (jiǎo – horn/angle). Stone (石) like a horn (角) – solid, hard → certain. Other common usage: 确定 (quèdìng – determine), 正确 (zhèngquè – correct), 的确 (díquè – indeed). 认 (rèn) – recognize; know; admit; accept. Radical: 讠 (speech) + 人 (rén – person). Speech (讠) to a person (人) – recognize someone. Other common usage: 认识 (rènshi – know), 认真 (rènzhēn – serious), 认可 (rènkě – approve). Mnemonic: A stone-solid (确) recognition (认) – confirming a fact. Related words: 确认书 (quèrènshū) – confirmation letter Similar-looking characters: 确 vs. 触 (chù – touch). 确 has 石 (stone); 触 has 角 (horn) + 虫 (insect). Stone is hard; touch involves insect? 认 vs. 让 (ràng – let). 认 has 人 (person); 让 has 上 (up). Recognize a person; let someone go up. Sample sentence: 请确认你的电子邮件地址。 Qǐng quèrèn nǐ de diànzǐ yóujiàn dìzhǐ. (Please confirm your email address.)

Answer 23

批准 (pī zhǔn) – approve, authorize 批 (pī) – to slap; to criticize; to batch; to approve (as in 批准). Radical: 扌 (shǒu – hand) + component 比 (bǐ – compare). Hand (扌) comparing (比) by striking → to slap, then to review (documents) in batches. Other common usage: 批评 (pīpíng – criticize), 批发 (pīfā – wholesale), 批次 (pīcì – batch). 准 (zhǔn) – standard; accurate; permit; to allow. Radical: 冫 (bīng – ice) + component 隹 (zhuī – short-tailed bird). Ice (冫) and a bird (隹) – bird standing on ice, needs balance → standard, then permission. Other common usage: 准备 (zhǔnbèi – prepare), 准确 (zhǔnquè – accurate), 准许 (zhǔnxǔ – permit). Mnemonic: Hand (批) slaps a stamp of permission (准) – approval. Related words: 批准书 (pīzhǔnshū) – approval document Similar-looking characters: 批 vs. 比 (bǐ – compare). 批 has 扌 (hand). Hand makes a batch; compare without hand. 准 vs. 淮 (Huái – Huai River). 准 has 冫 (ice); 淮 has 氵 (water). Ice gives standard; water gives river name. Sample sentence: 这个计划已经得到上级批准。 Zhège jìhuà yǐjīng dédào shàngjí pīzhǔn. (This plan has already been approved by superiors.)

Answer 24

批准 (pī zhǔn) – approve, authorize 批 (pī) – to slap; to criticize; to batch; to approve (as in 批准). Radical: 扌 (shǒu – hand) + component 比 (bǐ – compare). Hand (扌) comparing (比) by striking → to slap, then to review (documents) in batches. Other common usage: 批评 (pīpíng – criticize), 批发 (pīfā – wholesale), 批次 (pīcì – batch). 准 (zhǔn) – standard; accurate; permit; to allow. Radical: 冫 (bīng – ice) + component 隹 (zhuī – short-tailed bird). Ice (冫) and a bird (隹) – bird standing on ice, needs balance → standard, then permission. Other common usage: 准备 (zhǔnbèi – prepare), 准确 (zhǔnquè – accurate), 准许 (zhǔnxǔ – permit). Mnemonic: Hand (批) slaps a stamp of permission (准) – approval. Related words: 批准书 (pīzhǔnshū) – approval document Similar-looking characters: 批 vs. 比 (bǐ – compare). 批 has 扌 (hand). Hand makes a batch; compare without hand. 准 vs. 淮 (Huái – Huai River). 准 has 冫 (ice); 淮 has 氵 (water). Ice gives standard; water gives river name. Sample sentence: 这个计划已经得到上级批准。 Zhège jìhuà yǐjīng dédào shàngjí pīzhǔn. (This plan has already been approved by superiors.)

Answer 25

认可 (rèn kě) – approve, accept 认 (rèn) – see above (recognize). 可 (kě) – can; may; approve; but. Radical: 丁 (dīng – nail) + 口 (kǒu – mouth). Nail (丁) in mouth (口) → can (?) Actually 可 is a pictograph of a tool + mouth, meaning “permission”. Other common usage: 可以 (kěyǐ – can/may), 可能 (kěnéng – possible), 可爱 (kě’ài – lovely). Mnemonic: Recognizing (认) and saying “okay” (可) → acceptance/approval. Related words: 认可度 (rènkědù) – degree of acceptance Similar-looking characters: 可 vs. 叮 (dīng – sting/bite). 可 has 口 (mouth); 叮 has 口 + 丁 (nail). Nail plus mouth = sting; just mouth + nail shape = can. Sample sentence: 他的努力得到了大家的认可。 Tā de nǔlì dédào le dàjiā de rènkě. (His efforts have been recognized and accepted by everyone.)

Answer 26

认可 (rèn kě) – approve, accept 认 (rèn) – see above (recognize). 可 (kě) – can; may; approve; but. Radical: 丁 (dīng – nail) + 口 (kǒu – mouth). Nail (丁) in mouth (口) → can (?) Actually 可 is a pictograph of a tool + mouth, meaning “permission”. Other common usage: 可以 (kěyǐ – can/may), 可能 (kěnéng – possible), 可爱 (kě’ài – lovely). Mnemonic: Recognizing (认) and saying “okay” (可) → acceptance/approval. Related words: 认可度 (rènkědù) – degree of acceptance Similar-looking characters: 可 vs. 叮 (dīng – sting/bite). 可 has 口 (mouth); 叮 has 口 + 丁 (nail). Nail plus mouth = sting; just mouth + nail shape = can. Sample sentence: 他的努力得到了大家的认可。 Tā de nǔlì dédào le dàjiā de rènkě. (His efforts have been recognized and accepted by everyone.)

Answer 27

轻视 (qīng shì) – look down upon, despise, belittle 轻 (qīng) – light (weight); easy; slight; frivolous. Radical: 车 (chē – vehicle) + component 工 (gōng – work) + 又 (yòu – again)? Actually simplified: 车 + 工 + 又 (but standard: 巠). Traditional: 輕 – 車 + 巠 (vertical thread). Light vehicle → lightness. Other common usage: 轻松 (qīngsōng – relaxed), 轻重 (qīngzhòng – weight/importance), 轻视 (qīngshì – despise). 视 (shì) – to see; to regard; to look at. Radical: 见 (jiàn – see) + component 示 (shì – show/ritual). Traditional: 視 – 見 + 示. Seeing (见) with a ritual (示) → regard. Other common usage: 电视 (diànshì – television), 视线 (shìxiàn – line of sight), 注视 (zhùshì – gaze). Mnemonic: Light (轻) seeing (视) – treating someone as light-weight → despise. Related words: 轻视对方 (qīngshì duìfāng) – belittle the other side Similar-looking characters: 轻 vs. 径 (jìng – path). 轻 has 车 (vehicle); 径 has 彳 (step). Light vehicle vs. path. 视 vs. 现 (xiàn – appear). 视 has 见 (see); 现 has 王 (jade) + 见. See vs. jade appears. Sample sentence: 不要轻视任何一个小问题。 Bùyào qīngshì rènhé yī gè xiǎo wèntí. (Don’t look down upon any small problem.)

Answer 28

轻视 (qīng shì) – look down upon, despise, belittle 轻 (qīng) – light (weight); easy; slight; frivolous. Radical: 车 (chē – vehicle) + component 工 (gōng – work) + 又 (yòu – again)? Actually simplified: 车 + 工 + 又 (but standard: 巠). Traditional: 輕 – 車 + 巠 (vertical thread). Light vehicle → lightness. Other common usage: 轻松 (qīngsōng – relaxed), 轻重 (qīngzhòng – weight/importance), 轻视 (qīngshì – despise). 视 (shì) – to see; to regard; to look at. Radical: 见 (jiàn – see) + component 示 (shì – show/ritual). Traditional: 視 – 見 + 示. Seeing (见) with a ritual (示) → regard. Other common usage: 电视 (diànshì – television), 视线 (shìxiàn – line of sight), 注视 (zhùshì – gaze). Mnemonic: Light (轻) seeing (视) – treating someone as light-weight → despise. Related words: 轻视对方 (qīngshì duìfāng) – belittle the other side Similar-looking characters: 轻 vs. 径 (jìng – path). 轻 has 车 (vehicle); 径 has 彳 (step). Light vehicle vs. path. 视 vs. 现 (xiàn – appear). 视 has 见 (see); 现 has 王 (jade) + 见. See vs. jade appears. Sample sentence: 不要轻视任何一个小问题。 Bùyào qīngshì rènhé yī gè xiǎo wèntí. (Don’t look down upon any small problem.)

Answer 29

逐步 (zhú bù) – step by step, gradually 逐 (zhú) – pursue; chase; one by one; gradually. Radical: 辶 (walk) + component 豕 (shǐ – pig). Walking (辶) after a pig (豕) → pursue, then one after another → gradually. Other common usage: 追逐 (zhuīzhú – chase), 逐渐 (zhújiàn – gradually), 逐一 (zhúyī – one by one). 步 (bù) – step; pace; stage. Radical: 止 (zhǐ – stop) + 少 (shǎo – few) reversed? Actually 步 is two stops (止) with a small stroke. One stop (止) then another – a step. Other common usage: 脚步 (jiǎobù – footstep), 进步 (jìnbù – progress), 散步 (sànbù – take a walk). Mnemonic: Chasing (逐) one step (步) at a time → gradual progress. Related words: 逐步推进 (zhúbù tuījìn) – advance step by step Similar-looking characters: 逐 vs. 遂 (suì – then/fulfill). 逐 has 豕 (pig); 遂 has 㒸 (meaning “follow”). Pig chase vs. fulfill. 步 vs. 止 (zhǐ – stop). 步 has two stops (止+止). A step is two stops; a single stop is just “stop”. Sample sentence: 问题正在逐步得到解决。 Wèntí zhèngzài zhúbù dédào jiějué. (The problem is being solved step by step.)

Answer 30

逐步 (zhú bù) – step by step, gradually 逐 (zhú) – pursue; chase; one by one; gradually. Radical: 辶 (walk) + component 豕 (shǐ – pig). Walking (辶) after a pig (豕) → pursue, then one after another → gradually. Other common usage: 追逐 (zhuīzhú – chase), 逐渐 (zhújiàn – gradually), 逐一 (zhúyī – one by one). 步 (bù) – step; pace; stage. Radical: 止 (zhǐ – stop) + 少 (shǎo – few) reversed? Actually 步 is two stops (止) with a small stroke. One stop (止) then another – a step. Other common usage: 脚步 (jiǎobù – footstep), 进步 (jìnbù – progress), 散步 (sànbù – take a walk). Mnemonic: Chasing (逐) one step (步) at a time → gradual progress. Related words: 逐步推进 (zhúbù tuījìn) – advance step by step Similar-looking characters: 逐 vs. 遂 (suì – then/fulfill). 逐 has 豕 (pig); 遂 has 㒸 (meaning “follow”). Pig chase vs. fulfill. 步 vs. 止 (zhǐ – stop). 步 has two stops (止+止). A step is two stops; a single stop is just “stop”. Sample sentence: 问题正在逐步得到解决。 Wèntí zhèngzài zhúbù dédào jiějué. (The problem is being solved step by step.)

Answer 31

借此 (jiè cǐ) – thereby 借 (jiè) – borrow; lend; use as pretext; take advantage of. Radical: 亻 (person) + 昔 (xī – past). Person (亻) using the past (昔) – to borrow or rely on something. Other common usage: 借书 (jièshū – borrow books), 借助 (jièzhù – with the help of), 借口 (jièkǒu – excuse). 此 (cǐ) – this; these; here. Radical: 止 (stop) + 匕 (bǐ – spoon/knife). Stop (止) and a knife (匕) – pointing to “this” thing. Other common usage: 此时 (cǐshí – this moment), 此外 (cǐwài – besides), 因此 (yīncǐ – therefore). Mnemonic: Borrow (借) this (此) opportunity → thereby. Related words: 借此机会 (jiè cǐ jīhuì) – take this opportunity Similar-looking characters: 借 vs. 错 (cuò – mistake). 借 has 亻 (person); 错 has 钅 (metal). Borrow person vs. metal mistake. 此 vs. 比 (bǐ – compare). 此 has 止 (stop) + 匕; 比 has two 匕 (spoon). This/here vs. compare. Sample sentence: 他借此机会向大家表示感谢。 Tā jiè cǐ jīhuì xiàng dàjiā biǎoshì gǎnxiè. (He thereby took this opportunity to express thanks to everyone.)

Answer 32

借此 (jiè cǐ) – thereby 借 (jiè) – borrow; lend; use as pretext; take advantage of. Radical: 亻 (person) + 昔 (xī – past). Person (亻) using the past (昔) – to borrow or rely on something. Other common usage: 借书 (jièshū – borrow books), 借助 (jièzhù – with the help of), 借口 (jièkǒu – excuse). 此 (cǐ) – this; these; here. Radical: 止 (stop) + 匕 (bǐ – spoon/knife). Stop (止) and a knife (匕) – pointing to “this” thing. Other common usage: 此时 (cǐshí – this moment), 此外 (cǐwài – besides), 因此 (yīncǐ – therefore). Mnemonic: Borrow (借) this (此) opportunity → thereby. Related words: 借此机会 (jiè cǐ jīhuì) – take this opportunity Similar-looking characters: 借 vs. 错 (cuò – mistake). 借 has 亻 (person); 错 has 钅 (metal). Borrow person vs. metal mistake. 此 vs. 比 (bǐ – compare). 此 has 止 (stop) + 匕; 比 has two 匕 (spoon). This/here vs. compare. Sample sentence: 他借此机会向大家表示感谢。 Tā jiè cǐ jīhuì xiàng dàjiā biǎoshì gǎnxiè. (He thereby took this opportunity to express thanks to everyone.)

HSK 5 test vocab Flashcards

(57 cards)