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. In the published revised exam structure 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
Look at the picture and write one complete sentence using the given word. These five prompts come from older paper H41220 and practise the picture-sentence skill; they are not new-format sample questions. You can also choose word-only practice. Compare your answer with the model, then revise it — other correct answers are possible.
The picture could not load. Use its description below or try another prompt.
Picture description (text alternative)
Browse picture prompts and word examples with model sentences
Older paper H41220 · Q96
Older paper H41220 · Q97
Older paper H41220 · Q98
Older paper H41220 · Q99
Older paper H41220 · Q100
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…)
The counter counts Chinese characters only; punctuation, spaces and Latin letters are excluded. It is a study aid, not an official score.
Improve one thing / 每次改好一个地方
先写草稿，再选一个目标。保留修改前的文字，在上方编辑，最后对照检查。Write a draft, choose one goal, edit above, then compare.
Before this revision / 修改前的草稿
在上方短文框修改，不会覆盖这里保留的旧稿。Edit the essay above; the snapshot here stays unchanged.
Back to my draft / 返回草稿继续修改只在本浏览器保存，不上传作文。自查不等于老师评分或整篇达标。Saved only in this browser; no essay text is sent. Self-review is not grading.
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.
Writing Review Checklist / 写作检查要点
The official structure document does not provide a detailed marking rubric. Use these learning checks to review task completion and clear, accurate Chinese. They do not calculate an official 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 published 《新版HSK（1-6级）考试结构与样题示例》. Picture practice uses five prompts from older paper H41220, with their reference answers. Word-only practice uses the Level 4 vocabulary list. The self-review checklist is learning guidance, not an official marking rubric. 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.