HSK 9 Vocabulary (~1,880 New Words)

HSK 9 vocabulary reference: the highest level of the HSK standard, covering literary, classical, and culturally rich Chinese vocabulary.

hsk-9vocabulary

HSK 9 is the apex of the HSK framework, requiring mastery of classical Chinese function words, literary and aesthetic terminology, Buddhist and Taoist vocabulary, and the full canon of traditional Chinese thought and culture. These approximately 1,880 new words enable engagement with classical texts, literary criticism, philosophical discourse, and the highest register of modern Chinese scholarship. The vocabulary below is organized by semantic category and tradition.

Classical Chinese Particles and Function Words (文言虚词)

Chinese Pinyin English POS Usage Note
之 zhī of; go (classical) part 学之者 (one who studies it), 之乎者也 (classical particles collectively)
乎 hū question particle; at, in (classical) part 学而时习之，不亦说乎 (is it not a pleasure to learn and practice?), 何乎 (how so?)
者 zhě one who; that which part 仁者 (one who is benevolent), 学者 (scholar, one who studies)
也 yě sentence-final affirmative particle part 仁也 (that is benevolence), 是也 (that is so)
而 ér and, but, yet conj 学而不思则罔 (learn yet not think, then futile), 博学而笃志 (broad learning yet firm resolve)
以 yǐ with, by means of, because, in order to prep 以德服人 (use virtue to win others), 以史为鉴 (use history as a mirror)
于 yú in, at, from, than prep 于此 (at this point, herein), 青出于蓝 (blue comes from indigo, surpassing the master)
其 qí his, her, its, their; that part 其义深矣 (its meaning is profound), 各尽其职 (each fulfills their duty)
为 wéi to be; to act as; for v 为学 (engage in learning), 为国为民 (for the nation and people)
乃 nǎi thus, then; to be; so adv 乃知 (then one knows), 乃至 (even to the point of)
则 zé then, thus; if...then conj 学则思 (if one learns, then one thinks), 知则行 (if one knows, then one acts)
且 qiě moreover, while, for the time being conj 且行且看 (act and observe as one goes), 且慢 (wait a moment)
焉 yān thereupon; there; sentence final part 心不在焉 (mind is not there, absent-minded), 焉知非福 (how does one know it is not a blessing)
所 suǒ that which; place part 所学 (what one has learned), 各得其所 (each finds their proper place)
何 hé what, how, why part 何以 (by what means; why), 何故 (for what reason)
若 ruò if; like, as conj 若此 (if this be so), 若有所思 (as if in deep thought)
虽 suī although, even though conj 虽然 (although), 虽死犹荣 (even in death there is honor)
然 rán so, thus; correct adv 然则 (if so, then), 然而 (however, yet)
故 gù therefore, hence; former, old adv 故曰 (therefore it is said), 故人 (old friend)
夫 fū now (discourse particle); husband; man part 夫学 (now, regarding learning), 大丈夫 (a great man)
盖 gài for the reason that; generally adv 盖闻 (for it has been heard that), 盖因 (for the reason that)
矣 yǐ sentence-final particle (completion) part 学成矣 (learning is complete), 大势已去矣 (the general trend is already gone)
哉 zāi exclamatory sentence-final particle part 善哉 (how excellent!), 悲哉 (how lamentable!)
欤 yú question particle (softer than 乎) part 是欤 (is that so?), 何其然欤 (how can that be so?)
耳 ěr merely, only; sentence final (limitation) part 如此耳 (merely like this), 小技耳 (merely a minor skill)

Literary Chinese Verbs (文言动词)

Chinese Pinyin English POS Usage Note
曰 yuē to say, to speak v 子曰 (the Master said), 曰仁曰义 (speaking of benevolence and righteousness)
谓 wèi to say; to call; to mean v 谓之仁 (to call it benevolence), 所谓 (what is called, so-called)
述 shù to narrate, to relate v 述而不作 (transmit but not create), 记述历史 (narrate history)
记 jì to record, to memorize v 记功 (record merit), 记述事迹 (record deeds)
志 zhì to record; to aspire to v 志学 (aspire to learning), 有志者 (one who aspires)
论 lùn to discuss; essay v 论道 (discuss the Way), 论述观点 (discuss and expound viewpoints)
辨 biàn to distinguish, to differentiate v 辨明是非 (distinguish right from wrong), 辨析真伪 (differentiate the genuine from the false)
辩 biàn to debate, to argue v 辩论 (debate), 辩驳 (refute, argue against)
诠 quán to interpret fully, to explain completely v 诠释义理 (fully interpret the principles), 诠明大意 (fully explain the main meaning)
释 shì to explain; to release v 释义 (explain the meaning), 注释 (annotate and explain)
注 zhù to annotate; to pour v 注解经典 (annotate the classics), 批注 (annotate with comments)
疏 shū to explain in detail; to be sparse v 作疏 (write a detailed commentary), 疏通 (explain and clear up)
解 jiě to explain; to dissolve, to undo v 解惑 (resolve doubts), 解经 (interpret the classics)
析 xī to analyze, to split apart v 析理 (analyze the principles), 辨析 (analyze and differentiate)
考 kǎo to examine, to verify, to investigate v 考证 (verify and prove), 考据 (textual research)
证 zhèng to verify, to prove, to demonstrate v 证明 (prove, demonstrate), 考证史实 (verify historical facts)
据 jù according to; to rely on prep 据典 (according to the classics), 有据可查 (verifiable, with evidence)
依 yī to rely on; according to prep 依经 (according to the classic), 依理 (according to principle)
本 běn originally; according to; root adv 本乎天理 (rooted in heavenly principle), 推本溯源 (trace back to the root)
思 sī to think; to miss v 深思熟虑 (think deeply and deliberate), 慎思明辨 (reflect carefully and distinguish clearly)
慕 mù to admire; to yearn for v 仰慕先贤 (admire the ancient worthies), 心慕手追 (admire in heart and pursue with the hand)
企 qǐ to hope; to stand on tiptoe v 企盼 (eagerly hope for), 翘首企盼 (crane one's neck in eager anticipation)
望 wàng to hope; to look toward; to gaze at v 望道而行 (aspire to the Way and practice it), 仰望 (look up to, admire)
寤 wù to awaken, to be enlightened v 寤寐思服 (think of it waking and sleeping), 寤而后知 (awaken and then know)
悟 wù to realize, to awaken to, to understand v 顿悟 (sudden enlightenment), 悟道 (realize the Way)

Advanced Aesthetic and Literary Terms (高级美学文学术语)

Chinese Pinyin English POS Usage Note
意境 yìjìng artistic conception, mood, aesthetic realm n 意境深远 (artistic conception is profound), 营造意境 (create an artistic mood)
气韵 qìyùn spirit and rhythm in art, vital resonance n 气韵生动 (spirit and rhythm are vivid), 气韵流畅 (spirit and rhythm flow smoothly)
风骨 fēnggǔ spirit and moral fiber, vigorous style n 文章有风骨 (the essay has moral fiber), 风骨遒劲 (vigorous moral spirit)
神韵 shényùn divine rhythm, ethereal spirit in art n 神韵天成 (ethereal spirit formed naturally), 诗有神韵 (the poem has divine rhythm)
形神 xíngshen form and spirit n 形神兼备 (possess both form and spirit), 形神统一 (unity of form and spirit)
虚实 xūshí empty and solid, abstract and concrete n 虚实结合 (combine the abstract and concrete), 虚实相生 (empty and solid give birth to each other)
留白 liúbái leaving blank space in art n 画中留白 (blank space in a painting), 留白之美 (the beauty of blank space)
含蓄 hánxù implicit, understated, restrained adj 含蓄表达 (express implicitly), 含蓄蕴藉 (deeply implicit and suggestive)
空灵 kōnglíng ethereal, delicate, transcendent adj 空灵之美 (ethereal beauty), 意境空灵 (artistic conception is ethereal)
沉郁 chényù deep and melancholy, heavy and gloomy adj 沉郁顿挫 (deep, melancholy, and forceful), 风格沉郁 (style is deep and melancholy)
悲壮 bēizhuàng tragic and heroic adj 悲壮的史诗 (a tragic and heroic epic), 悲壮之美 (the beauty of the tragic and heroic)
豪放 háofàng bold and unrestrained adj 豪放派词人 (bold and unrestrained lyric poet), 豪放不羁 (bold and unrestrained)
婉约 wǎnyuē gentle and graceful, subtle and delicate adj 婉约派词风 (gentle and graceful lyric style), 婉约含蓄 (gentle, graceful, and implicit)
清新 qīngxīn fresh and bright, clean and crisp adj 清新自然 (fresh and natural), 风格清新 (fresh and bright style)
苍劲 cāngjìn vigorous and forceful, aged and powerful adj 笔力苍劲 (brushwork is vigorous and forceful), 苍劲有力 (vigorous and powerful)
飘逸 piāoyì elegant and free, gracefully unrestrained adj 飘逸洒脱 (elegant and free and easy), 风度飘逸 (gracefully unrestrained bearing)
雄浑 xiónghún powerful and majestic, vigorous and deep adj 雄浑气势 (powerful and majestic momentum), 意境雄浑 (artistic conception is powerful and majestic)
隽秀 juànxiù elegant and graceful adj 文字隽秀 (writing is elegant and graceful), 隽秀之才 (elegant and graceful talent)
古朴 gǔpǔ antique and plain, simple and archaic adj 古朴典雅 (antique, plain, and refined), 风格古朴 (style is antique and plain)
典雅 diǎnyǎ elegant and refined, classical and graceful adj 典雅高贵 (elegant, refined, and noble), 语言典雅 (language is elegant and refined)

Classical Poetry and Literature Vocabulary (古典诗词文学词汇)

Chinese Pinyin English POS Usage Note
赋 fù rhapsody, fu prose poem n 汉赋 (Han dynasty rhapsody), 赋比兴 (rhapsody, metaphor, and evocation)
比 bǐ metaphor (in classical poetics) n 比兴手法 (technique of metaphor and evocation), 借物比人 (use things to metaphorize people)
兴 xìng evocation, association (in classical poetics) n 起兴 (evoke an image as an opening), 兴寄 (evocation conveying meaning)
风 fēng folk songs (in Book of Odes); wind n 国风 (Airs of the States in the Book of Odes), 风雅颂 (feng, ya, and song of the Odes)
雅 yǎ court songs (in Book of Odes); elegant n 大雅小雅 (greater and lesser court songs), 雅言 (refined speech, standard language)
颂 sòng eulogies, hymns (in Book of Odes) n 周颂 (hymns of Zhou), 颂扬功德 (eulogize virtue and merit)
骚体 sāo tǐ Chu Ci style, sao form poetry n 骚体诗 (sao form poem), 骚体传统 (Chu Ci poetic tradition)
近体诗 jìntǐ shī regulated verse (Tang dynasty form) n 近体诗格律 (regulated verse prosody), 近体诗格式 (regulated verse format)
绝句 juéjù quatrain, four-line regulated poem n 五言绝句 (five-character quatrain), 七言绝句 (seven-character quatrain)
律诗 lǜ shī regulated poem, eight-line form n 五言律诗 (five-character regulated poem), 七言律诗 (seven-character regulated poem)
词 cí song lyric, ci poetry n 宋词 (Song dynasty ci lyrics), 词牌 (ci tune name)
曲 qǔ aria, sanqu song form n 元曲 (Yuan dynasty qu), 散曲 (loose song form)
散文 sǎnwén prose, unrhymed prose n 古典散文 (classical prose), 散文笔法 (prose writing style)
骈文 piánwén parallel prose, four-six style n 骈文对仗 (parallel prose antithesis), 骈文典故 (allusions in parallel prose)
八股文 bāgǔ wén eight-legged essay n 八股文格式 (eight-legged essay format), 废除八股文 (abolish the eight-legged essay)
章回小说 zhānghuí xiǎoshuō episodic novel, chapter novel n 章回小说体裁 (episodic novel genre), 古典章回小说 (classical episodic novel)
传奇 chuánqí romance fiction; legend; Tang tales n 唐代传奇 (Tang dynasty romance fiction), 传奇故事 (legendary story)
笔记 bǐjì miscellaneous notes, jottings n 笔记体小说 (miscellaneous notes fiction), 文人笔记 (literati miscellaneous notes)
志怪 zhìguài tales of the strange, anomaly accounts n 志怪小说 (tales of the strange fiction), 志怪传统 (tradition of tales of the strange)
白话文 báihuàwén vernacular Chinese, colloquial written Chinese n 白话文运动 (vernacular Chinese movement), 白话文写作 (vernacular Chinese writing)
文言文 wényánwén classical Chinese, literary Chinese n 文言文阅读 (reading classical Chinese), 文言文翻译 (translating classical Chinese)

Philosophy and Chinese Thought (哲学与中国思想)

Chinese Pinyin English POS Usage Note
天人合一 tiān rén hé yī unity of heaven and man phr 天人合一的理念 (the concept of unity of heaven and man), 追求天人合一 (pursue unity of heaven and man)
仁 rén benevolence, humaneness, ren n 仁者爱人 (the benevolent person loves others), 仁义礼智信 (the five Confucian virtues)
义 yì righteousness, duty, yi n 仁义之道 (the way of benevolence and righteousness), 见义勇为 (see righteousness and act courageously)
礼 lǐ ritual propriety, rites, li n 克己复礼 (restrain oneself and return to propriety), 礼乐文化 (culture of rites and music)
智 zhì wisdom, intellectual knowledge n 仁义礼智 (benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom), 知行合智 (unify knowledge, action, and wisdom)
信 xìn trustworthiness, faithfulness n 言而有信 (speak and be trustworthy), 诚信为本 (take trustworthiness as the foundation)
忠 zhōng loyalty, faithfulness to ruler and duty n 忠君爱国 (loyal to the ruler and patriotic), 忠恕之道 (the way of loyalty and reciprocity)
孝 xiào filial piety n 孝悌忠信 (filial piety, brotherly love, loyalty, trustworthiness), 百善孝为先 (filial piety is the first of all virtues)
道 dào the Way, Tao, principle n 道法自然 (the Way follows nature), 悟道 (realize the Way)
德 dé virtue, power, te n 以德服人 (win people through virtue), 德才兼备 (possess both virtue and talent)
无为 wúwéi non-action, effortless action n 无为而治 (govern through non-action), 无为自然 (non-action and naturalness)
自然 zìrán naturalness, spontaneity, nature n 道法自然 (the Way follows nature), 自然无为 (naturalness and non-action)
阴阳 yīnyáng yin and yang n 阴阳平衡 (balance of yin and yang), 阴阳五行 (yin, yang, and the five phases)
五行 wǔxíng five phases, five elements n 五行相生 (five phases generating each other), 五行学说 (theory of the five phases)
气 qì vital energy, qi, breath n 元气 (primordial qi), 气韵生动 (qi and rhythm are vivid)
理 lǐ principle, pattern, li n 格物穷理 (investigate things and exhaust principle), 天理 (heavenly principle)
心 xīn mind, heart n 心学 (School of Mind), 致良知 (extend the innate moral knowledge)
性 xìng human nature n 性善论 (theory of the goodness of human nature), 尽心知性 (fully develop the mind and know one's nature)
格物 géwù investigation of things phr 格物致知 (investigate things to extend knowledge), 格物穷理 (investigate things and exhaust principle)
致知 zhìzhī extension of knowledge phr 格物致知 (investigate things to extend knowledge), 致知在格物 (extending knowledge lies in investigating things)
知行合一 zhī xíng hé yī unity of knowledge and action phr 王阳明知行合一 (Wang Yangming's unity of knowledge and action), 倡导知行合一 (advocate unity of knowledge and action)
正心 zhèng xīn rectify the mind phr 正心诚意 (rectify the mind and be sincere in will), 正心修身 (rectify the mind and cultivate the self)
诚意 chéng yì sincerity of will phr 诚意正心 (be sincere in will and rectify the mind), 诚意待人 (treat people with sincerity of will)
修身 xiū shēn self-cultivation phr 修身齐家 (cultivate the self and harmonize the family), 修身立德 (cultivate the self and establish virtue)
齐家 qí jiā harmonize the family, regulate the family phr 齐家治国 (harmonize the family and govern the state), 修身齐家治国平天下 (the Great Learning sequence)

Advanced Literary Adjectives and Expressions (高级文学形容词表达)

Chinese Pinyin English POS Usage Note
洋洋洒洒 yángyáng sǎsǎ flowing and abundant, prolific idiom 洋洋洒洒数万言 (flowing and abundant, tens of thousands of words), 洋洋洒洒地写来 (write in a flowing and abundant manner)
汪洋恣肆 wāngyáng zìsì boundless and unrestrained idiom 汪洋恣肆的文风 (a boundless and unrestrained writing style), 笔力汪洋恣肆 (writing force is boundless and unrestrained)
文采横溢 wéncǎi héngyì brimming with literary talent phr 文采横溢的作家 (a writer brimming with literary talent), 此文文采横溢 (this essay brims with literary talent)
才情横溢 cáiqíng héngyì overflowing with talent and feeling phr 才情横溢的诗人 (a poet overflowing with talent), 才情横溢之作 (a work overflowing with talent and feeling)
满怀激情 mǎnhuái jīqíng full of passion, filled with fervor phr 满怀激情地创作 (create with full passion), 满怀激情的演讲 (a speech full of passion)
激昂慷慨 jī'áng kāngkǎi impassioned and stirring idiom 激昂慷慨的演说 (an impassioned and stirring speech), 慷慨激昂地陈词 (present arguments in an impassioned manner)
悲天悯人 bēi tiān mǐn rén lament heaven and pity man, compassion for suffering idiom 悲天悯人的情怀 (compassion for the suffering of mankind), 怀有悲天悯人之心 (harbor a heart of compassion for all)
忧国忧民 yōu guó yōu mín concerned for country and people idiom 忧国忧民的情操 (sentiment of concern for country and people), 忧国忧民的诗人 (a poet concerned for country and people)
苍凉悲壮 cāngliáng bēizhuàng desolate and heroic phr 苍凉悲壮的诗篇 (a desolate and heroic poem), 苍凉悲壮之感 (a feeling of desolation and heroism)
雄浑磅礴 xiónghún pángbó powerful and magnificent phr 雄浑磅礴的气势 (powerful and magnificent momentum), 意境雄浑磅礴 (the artistic conception is powerful and magnificent)
细腻入微 xìnì rù wēi delicate and meticulous, attentive to every detail phr 细腻入微的描写 (meticulous and detailed description), 观察细腻入微 (observe with delicate attention to detail)
鞭辟入里 biānpì rù lǐ incisive and penetrating analysis idiom 鞭辟入里的分析 (incisive and penetrating analysis), 论述鞭辟入里 (the exposition is incisive and penetrating)
入木三分 rùmù sānfēn cut deep, penetrating to the core idiom 入木三分的评论 (a penetrating commentary), 分析入木三分 (analysis that penetrates to the core)
一语中的 yī yǔ zhōng dì hit the nail on the head, a single word hitting the target idiom 一语中的地指出 (point out hitting the nail on the head), 他一语中的 (he hit the nail on the head)
言简意赅 yán jiǎn yì gāi concise and comprehensive idiom 言简意赅的表述 (a concise and comprehensive statement), 他说得言简意赅 (he spoke concisely and comprehensively)

Traditional Culture and History (传统文化历史)

Chinese Pinyin English POS Usage Note
礼乐 lǐ yuè ritual and music n 礼乐文化 (culture of ritual and music), 礼乐制度 (system of ritual and music)
六艺 liùyì six classical arts n 六艺教育 (six classical arts education), 六艺礼乐射御书数 (the six arts: ritual, music, archery, charioteering, writing, mathematics)
四书 sìshū Four Books n 四书五经 (Four Books and Five Classics), 熟读四书 (study the Four Books thoroughly)
五经 wǔjīng Five Classics n 五经注疏 (commentary on the Five Classics), 通晓五经 (be thoroughly versed in the Five Classics)
诸子百家 zhūzǐ bǎijiā Hundred Schools of Thought n 诸子百家思想 (thought of the Hundred Schools), 春秋战国诸子百家 (Hundred Schools of Thought in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods)
百家争鸣 bǎijiā zhēngmíng contention of a hundred schools idiom 百家争鸣的时代 (the era of contention of a hundred schools), 学术百家争鸣 (academic contention of a hundred schools)
科举 kējǔ imperial examination system n 科举制度 (imperial examination system), 科举取士 (select officials through imperial examination)
状元 zhuàngyuán top imperial examination graduate n 金榜题名状元 (the state examination top graduate), 状元及第 (pass the imperial exam as first-place graduate)
秀才 xiùcái lower-degree scholar, shengyuan n 秀才功名 (the status of a lower-degree scholar), 穷秀才 (a poor lower-degree scholar)
翰林 hànlín Hanlin Academy member n 翰林学士 (Hanlin academician), 入选翰林院 (be selected for the Hanlin Academy)
士大夫 shì dàfū scholar-official class n 士大夫精神 (scholar-official spirit), 士大夫阶层 (the scholar-official class)
书院 shūyuàn classical academy n 岳麓书院 (Yuelu Academy), 书院教育 (classical academy education)
藏书楼 cángshū lóu library tower, book collection tower n 宁波天一阁藏书楼 (Tianyi Pavilion in Ningbo), 建造藏书楼 (build a library tower)
太学 tàixué Imperial Academy n 太学生 (Imperial Academy student), 就读太学 (study at the Imperial Academy)
国子监 guózǐjiàn Imperial College n 国子监祭酒 (president of the Imperial College), 入国子监读书 (study at the Imperial College)
家塾 jiāshú family school, private family tutorial n 家塾教育 (family school education), 设立家塾 (establish a family school)
蒙学 méngxué elementary learning, basic education n 蒙学读本 (elementary learning reader), 蒙学教育 (elementary learning education)
经学 jīngxué classical studies, study of the classics n 经学传统 (classical studies tradition), 汉代经学 (Han dynasty classical studies)
史学 shǐxué historical studies n 史学传统 (historical studies tradition), 史学方法 (historical studies methodology)
子学 zǐxué philosophical studies, study of the masters n 诸子学研究 (study of the philosophical masters), 子学著作 (philosophical masters writings)
集部 jí bù literary works collection (fourth of four categories) n 经史子集 (the four categories of classical literature), 集部文学 (literary works in the collection category)

Buddhist and Taoist Vocabulary (佛道词汇)

Chinese Pinyin English POS Usage Note
禅 chán Chan, Zen Buddhism n 禅宗 (Chan Buddhism), 禅定 (Chan meditation)
悟 wù enlightenment, awakening n 顿悟 (sudden awakening), 悟道 (awaken to the Way)
般若 bōrě prajna, transcendent wisdom n 般若智慧 (prajna wisdom), 般若波罗蜜 (prajnaparamita, perfection of wisdom)
菩提 pútí bodhi, enlightenment n 菩提心 (bodhicitta, aspiration for enlightenment), 菩提树 (bodhi tree)
涅槃 nièpán nirvana, liberation n 进入涅槃 (enter nirvana), 涅槃境界 (the state of nirvana)
轮回 lúnhuí samsara, cycle of rebirth n 轮回转世 (samsaric rebirth), 跳出轮回 (escape the cycle of rebirth)
因果 yīnguǒ karma, cause and effect n 因果报应 (karmic retribution), 因果关系 (causal relationship)
业报 yèbào karmic retribution n 善业福报 (good karma brings good fortune), 业报轮回 (karmic retribution in the cycle of rebirth)
菩萨 púsà bodhisattva n 菩萨道 (the bodhisattva path), 观音菩萨 (Guanyin bodhisattva)
佛陀 fótuó Buddha n 释迦牟尼佛陀 (Shakyamuni Buddha), 佛陀教导 (the teachings of the Buddha)
金刚 jīngāng vajra, diamond-like n 金刚经 (Diamond Sutra), 金刚不坏 (indestructible like a vajra)
真如 zhēnrú true suchness, tathata n 真如本性 (the true suchness of one's nature), 证得真如 (realize true suchness)
空性 kōngxìng emptiness, sunyata n 体悟空性 (realize emptiness), 空性智慧 (wisdom of emptiness)
无常 wúcháng impermanence, anicca n 无常之苦 (the suffering of impermanence), 万物无常 (all things are impermanent)
无我 wúwǒ no-self, anatman n 无我之境 (the state of no-self), 证悟无我 (realize no-self)
修行 xiūxíng cultivation, spiritual practice n 修行证道 (cultivate and realize the Way), 修行功夫 (cultivation effort and skill)
戒定慧 jiè dìng huì precepts, meditation, and wisdom (threefold training) n 戒定慧三学 (the threefold training), 修习戒定慧 (cultivate precepts, meditation, and wisdom)
道法自然 dào fǎ zìrán the Way follows nature phr 道法自然的理念 (the concept that the Way follows nature), 体现道法自然 (embody the principle that the Way follows nature)
无为而治 wúwéi ér zhì govern through non-action phr 无为而治的政治理想 (the political ideal of governing through non-action), 实践无为而治 (practice governing through non-action)
道可道非常道 dào kě dào fēi cháng dào the Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao phr 老子道可道非常道 (Laozi's opening of the Tao Te Ching), 道之不可言说 (the unspeakable nature of the Tao)

Modern Chinese Literary Vocabulary (现代文学词汇)

Chinese Pinyin English POS Usage Note
意识流 yìshíliú stream of consciousness n 意识流写作 (stream of consciousness writing), 意识流小说 (stream of consciousness novel)
新感觉派 xīn gǎnjué pài New Sensationist School n 新感觉派文学 (New Sensationist literature), 新感觉派作家 (New Sensationist writer)
朦胧诗 ménglóng shī Misty Poetry n 朦胧诗运动 (Misty Poetry movement), 朦胧诗人 (Misty Poet)
伤痕文学 shānghén wénxué Scar Literature n 伤痕文学创作 (Scar Literature writing), 伤痕文学作品 (Scar Literature works)
寻根文学 xúngēn wénxué Root-Seeking Literature n 寻根文学思潮 (Root-Seeking Literature trend), 寻根文学作家 (Root-Seeking Literature writer)
先锋文学 xiānfēng wénxué Avant-Garde Literature n 先锋文学实验 (Avant-Garde Literature experiment), 先锋文学叙事 (Avant-Garde Literature narrative)
新写实主义 xīn xiěshí zhǔyì New Realism n 新写实主义小说 (New Realist novel), 新写实主义风格 (New Realist style)
后现代主义 hòuxiàndài zhǔyì postmodernism n 后现代主义文学 (postmodernist literature), 后现代主义批评 (postmodernist criticism)
魔幻现实主义 móhuàn xiànshí zhǔyì magical realism n 魔幻现实主义手法 (magical realist technique), 魔幻现实主义作品 (magical realist work)
元小说 yuán xiǎoshuō metafiction n 元小说叙事技巧 (metafiction narrative technique), 后现代元小说 (postmodern metafiction)
互文性 hùwénxìng intertextuality n 互文性理论 (intertextuality theory), 文本互文性分析 (intertextual analysis of text)
叙事学 xùshì xué narratology n 叙事学研究 (narratology research), 叙事学理论框架 (narratological theoretical framework)
文学批评 wénxué pīpíng literary criticism n 文学批评方法 (literary criticism method), 文学批评理论 (literary criticism theory)
比较文学 bǐjiào wénxué comparative literature n 比较文学研究 (comparative literature research), 比较文学方法论 (comparative literature methodology)
世界文学 shìjiè wénxué world literature n 世界文学视野 (world literature perspective), 走向世界文学 (toward world literature)

Highest-Level Academic Phrases (最高级学术语篇)

Chinese Pinyin English POS Usage Note
在历史的长河中 zài lìshǐ de cháng hé zhōng in the long river of history phr 在历史的长河中这是重大转折 (in the long river of history this is a major turning point), 在历史的长河中留下印记 (leave a mark in the long river of history)
从辩证唯物主义的角度来看 cóng biànzhèng wéiwù zhǔyì de jiǎodù lái kàn from a dialectical materialist perspective phr 从辩证唯物主义的角度来看此问题 (view this issue from a dialectical materialist perspective), 从辩证唯物主义的角度来看有深刻意义 (from a dialectical materialist perspective this is deeply significant)
马克思主义中国化 Mǎkèsī zhǔyì Zhōngguóhuà Sinicization of Marxism phr 推进马克思主义中国化 (advance the Sinicization of Marxism), 马克思主义中国化的理论成果 (theoretical achievements of the Sinicization of Marxism)
中华优秀传统文化 Zhōnghuá yōuxiù chuántǒng wénhuà excellent traditional Chinese culture phr 传承中华优秀传统文化 (inherit excellent traditional Chinese culture), 弘扬中华优秀传统文化 (promote excellent traditional Chinese culture)
文明交流互鉴 wénmíng jiāoliú hùjiàn mutual learning among civilizations phr 推动文明交流互鉴 (promote mutual learning among civilizations), 文明交流互鉴的理念 (the concept of mutual learning among civilizations)
构建人类命运共同体 gòujiàn rénlèi mìngyùn gòngtóngtǐ build a community of shared future for mankind phr 积极构建人类命运共同体 (actively build a community of shared future), 构建人类命运共同体的倡议 (the initiative to build a community of shared future)
人类文明新形态 rénlèi wénmíng xīn xíngtài a new form of human civilization phr 创造人类文明新形态 (create a new form of human civilization), 中国式现代化是人类文明新形态 (Chinese-style modernization is a new form of human civilization)
中国式现代化 Zhōngguó shì xiàndàihuà Chinese-style modernization phr 推进中国式现代化 (advance Chinese-style modernization), 中国式现代化的内涵 (the connotations of Chinese-style modernization)
高质量发展 gāo zhìliàng fāzhǎn high-quality development phr 推动高质量发展 (promote high-quality development), 高质量发展的路径 (the path of high-quality development)
共同富裕 gòngtóng fùyù common prosperity phr 实现共同富裕 (achieve common prosperity), 扎实推进共同富裕 (steadily advance common prosperity)
新发展理念 xīn fāzhǎn lǐniàn new development philosophy phr 贯彻新发展理念 (implement the new development philosophy), 新发展理念的内容 (the content of the new development philosophy)
双循环格局 shuāng xúnhuán géjú dual-circulation pattern phr 构建双循环格局 (build the dual-circulation pattern), 双循环格局的战略意义 (the strategic significance of the dual-circulation pattern)
全过程人民民主 quán guòchéng rénmín mínzhǔ whole-process people's democracy phr 发展全过程人民民主 (develop whole-process people's democracy), 全过程人民民主的实践 (the practice of whole-process people's democracy)

Total vocabulary: approximately 300 words across all sections. Additional sections will be added to reach the full ~1,880-word HSK 9 target.