Table of Contents

HSK4 is where Chinese speaking stops being reactive and starts becoming intentional communication. At HSK1, you repeat. At HSK2, you respond. At HSK3, you explain. At HSK4, you manage conversations. You are no longer just answering questions. You are:

  • ● explaining context
  • ● organizing ideas
  • ● expressing opinions with control
  • ● responding thoughtfully
  • ● keeping conversations balanced

This is where Chinese starts to sound calm, natural, and adult.

What HSK4 Speaking Really Gives You

HSK4 speaking is not about speaking faster. It is about speaking better. With HSK4, you can now:

  • ● explain situations clearly
  • ● give reasons without sounding defensive
  • ● describe experiences in sequence
  • ● express opinions politely
  • ● disagree without tension
  • ● adjust tone depending on context

You stop reacting sentence by sentence. You start guiding the conversation.

From Answering to Explaining

HSK3 speaking lets you say why. HSK4 speaking lets you say:

  • ● why it happened
  • ● what the background was
  • ● what the result is
  • ● how you feel about it

Compare:

HSK3-style:
因为我很忙，所以没去。
Because I was busy, I didn’t go.

HSK4-style:
由于那段时间工作比较忙，再加上身体有点不舒服，所以就没去。
Because I was quite busy during that period, and also wasn’t feeling well, I didn’t go.

Same idea. Different level of control.

Core Features of HSK4 Speaking

HSK4 speaking has four defining characteristics.

1. Longer Turns 更长的表达

You can now hold the floor for 3–5 sentences. You can:

  • ● describe experiences
  • ● explain decisions
  • ● summarize situations

Example:
最近工作压力有点大，不过慢慢适应了。
现在时间安排得更好一点，感觉也稳定多了。

This is no longer short replies. This is continuous speech.

2. Structured Explanations 有结构的表达

HSK4 speaking relies on structure. Typical flow:

  1. ● Background
  2. ● Main point
  3. ● Result or opinion

Example:
之前我对这个城市不太熟悉，
交通也不太方便，
所以一开始有点不适应。

You sound clear because your thinking is clear.

3. Polite Opinions and Soft Disagreement 委婉表达

HSK4 speaking teaches you how to sound human, not blunt.

Instead of:
不对。
Wrong.

You can say:
我觉得这个说法可能不太全面。
I think this view might not be very complete.

This ability matters enormously in real life.

4. Natural Conversation Control 对话掌控

At HSK4, you can:

  • ● ask follow-up questions
  • ● respond thoughtfully
  • ● bring the conversation forward

You are no longer waiting for the next question. You help shape the direction.

Real HSK4 Conversation Example

情景：讨论工作安排

你：最近工作怎么样？
How’s work lately?

他：
整体来说还可以，不过最近项目比较多，
时间上有点紧。
不过我觉得这样也能学到不少东西。

You can hear:

  • ● background
  • ● contrast
  • ● opinion
  • ● reflection

This is not exam Chinese. This is real speaking.

HSK4 Speaking in Daily Situations

At HSK4, you can handle conversations like:

Explaining a Situation
因为临时有点事情，所以计划改了一下。

Expressing an Opinion
在我看来，这个方案比较稳妥。

Making Suggestions
要不我们先试一段时间看看？

Reacting to News
听你这么说，我有点担心。

Disagreeing Politely
我明白你的意思，不过我有一点不同的看法。

These are adult conversation tools.

Why HSK4 Speaking Feels Quietly Difficult

HSK4 speaking feels hard because:

  • ● you can’t rely on short answers
  • ● you must think ahead
  • ● you must organize ideas in real time

This is not language difficulty. This is thinking pressure. And that pressure is exactly how fluency grows.

Common HSK4 Speaking Mistakes

Many learners at HSK4:

  • ● still speak in HSK3-length sentences
  • ● stop after one idea
  • ● avoid giving opinions
  • ● rush instead of structuring

HSK4 speaking improves when you:

  • ● slow down
  • ● add context
  • ● stay in the conversation longer

How to Practice HSK4 Speaking Effectively

Do not memorize dialogues. Practice speaking by:

  • ● explaining past experiences
  • ● summarizing events
  • ● giving reasons for decisions
  • ● expressing agreement and disagreement

Good practice questions:

  • ● 为什么你这么觉得？
  • ● 当时是什么情况？
  • ● 后来发生了什么？
  • ● 结果怎么样？

Speaking improves when thinking improves.

Speaking shows your control in real time, but it relies on Vocabulary for ideas and Grammar for structure. For the full HSK4 roadmap, the Overview page ties it all together.

This is why HSK4 Speaking cannot be trained in isolation from HSK4 Vocabulary and Grammar.

HSK4 Speaking Is About Presence

HSK4 speaking is not about sounding advanced. It is about sounding present, calm, and clear. This is where:

  • ● vocabulary gives meaning
  • ● grammar gives structure
  • ● speaking gives life

When these three work together, Chinese stops being something you study and becomes something you inhabit.

FAQ

Q: How is HSK4 speaking different from HSK3?

A: HSK4 speaking focuses on controlling conversation: holding longer turns, structuring explanations, expressing opinions politely, and responding thoughtfully, not just answering questions.

Q: How long should my speaking turns be at HSK4?

A: You can comfortably speak 3–5 sentences at a time, describing experiences, explaining decisions, or summarizing situations without breaking flow.

Q: How can I give opinions politely?

A: Use soft expressions like “I think…” or “In my view…” instead of blunt statements. HSK4 teaches subtle disagreement and nuanced opinion expression.

Q: What daily situations can I handle at HSK4?

A: Explaining situations, giving opinions, making suggestions, reacting to news, and disagreeing politely—all with calm, structured, and natural language.

Q: Why does HSK4 speaking feel challenging?

A: It requires thinking ahead, organizing ideas, and controlling the conversation in real time. This cognitive pressure is what builds fluency and control.

Q: Can I train speaking without vocabulary or grammar?

A: No. Speaking depends on vocabulary for content and grammar for structure. Practicing all three together is essential to sound natural and confident.