HSK 4 Writing · 写作
The complete HSK 4 writing guide for the 2026 exam — practise both writing tasks with interactive trainers, instant model answers, a scoring guide, and exam strategy.
What the HSK 4 Writing Section Tests / HSK4 写作考什么
The HSK 4 writing section (写作) is the only part of the exam where you produce Chinese from scratch — there are no answer options to choose from. Under the 2026 syllabus it has 6 questions in 25 minutes, split into two task types:
看图造句
You are shown a picture and one word. Write a single complete, grammatically correct sentence that uses the word and fits the picture.
写短文
You are given a topic and write a short essay of at least 80 characters (不少于80字) — a connected paragraph with an opening, details, and a closing.
Practise this exact task type in the 写短文 trainer below.
Part 1 Practice — 看图造句 / Picture Sentences
A word from the HSK 4 vocabulary list appears below — with its pinyin and meaning. Write one complete sentence using it, the exact skill 看图造句 tests, then reveal a model sentence to compare. In the real exam the word comes with a picture; the principle is identical — build one correct sentence around the given word.
Browse example HSK 4 words with model sentences
Part 2 Practice — 写短文 / Short Essay
Pick a prompt and write a connected paragraph of at least 80 characters. The counter tracks your length live; the structure helper and model paragraph show you how to organise it.
Structure helper — how to organise a 写短文
经过 Middle — give the details in order; link them (首先…然后…最后… / 因为…所以…)
结尾 Closing — your feeling, opinion, or a takeaway (总的来说… / 我觉得…)
Want frameworks for each topic type? Our paragraph writing guide has 4 reusable structures (narrative, describing, opinion, practical), a connector toolkit, and 6 more guided challenges.
Scoring & Common Deductions / 评分与常见扣分
The official structure document does not publish exact point values, but the marking logic is consistent: did you complete the task, and is your Chinese accurate? Here is what raises and lowers your score.
第一部分 看图造句
- A complete sentence that clearly uses the given word
- Natural word order and correct characters
- Not using the given word, or using it wrongly
- An incomplete sentence or just a phrase
- Wrong word order (把/被 position, adverbs, time/place)
- Wrong or missing characters; missing 了/过/着
- Missing or half-width punctuation (use ，。？)
第二部分 写短文
- At least 80 characters, on topic, with clear structure
- Sentences linked with connectors; varied patterns
- Fewer than 80 characters — the biggest single deduction
- Off-topic, or ignoring part of the prompt
- One long run-on instead of organised sentences
- Repeated grammar errors and wrong characters
- No opening or no closing
Golden rule: a simple, correct sentence always scores higher than an ambitious, broken one. Write what you are sure of.
Writing Strategy & Key Grammar / 写作技巧与核心语法
Decide the sentence pattern first (把字句? 比较句? a plain S+V+O?), then slot the given word into it. Keep it short — one clear clause is enough. Read it back: if it sounds unnatural, fix the order.
Spend 30 seconds planning opening → middle → closing before writing. A clear structure prevents rambling and earns more marks than extra length. Aim a little over 80 characters so you are safely past the minimum.
Writing is not the place to gamble on half-remembered vocabulary. After finishing, scan for the most common deductions: missing aspect markers (了/过/着) and punctuation — Chinese uses the full-width comma "，", not ",".
The grammar patterns most worth mastering for writing: 把字句, 被字句, 比较句, 复句连接词 (虽然…但是, 不但…而且, 因为…所以), and adverb placement. Solid sentence accuracy also comes from word-order practice.
HSK 3 → 4 → 5 Writing / 写作能力进阶
HSK 4 writing is the bridge from single sentences to short essays. Knowing where you are headed helps you prepare:
| Level | Writing tasks | What you produce |
|---|---|---|
| HSK 3 | 填空 (fill in a word) + 看图造句 | Single sentences |
| HSK 4 | 看图造句 ×5 + 写短文 ×1 | Sentences, plus a short essay of ≥ 80 characters |
| HSK 5 | 看图作文 (4 pictures) + 命题作文 | A ≥ 100-character composition and a ≥ 200-character essay |
At HSK 4 the syllabus expects you to "写出一段话" — write a connected paragraph that introduces, describes, or narrates. That is exactly what the 写短文 trainer above builds.
Frequently Asked Questions / 常见问题
This guide follows the HSK 4 writing section in the 2026 HSK syllabus (《新版HSK（1-6级）考试结构与样题示例》, 汉考国际, December 2025). The 看图造句 trainer draws on the 1,000-word HSK 4 vocabulary list, each word paired with a model sentence. Study more with our HSK 4 Vocabulary List, Grammar Guide, and 100 essential sentences. Created by Mandarin Zone.
Keep Building Your HSK 4 Writing
Complete-the-sentence drill
61 exam-style completions: read the opening clause, write the rest, then self-check against the model answer.
Paragraph writing guide
4 reusable frameworks, a connector toolkit, and 6 guided challenges with samples.
Sentence ordering practice
Drill Chinese word order — the foundation of accurate sentences for any writing task.
100 essential sentences
High-frequency sentence templates for opinion, comparison, time, and feelings.
HSK 4 grammar guide
把字句, 被字句, 比较句, complex-sentence connectors and more, with exercises.