# HSK HSK 5: Upper Intermediate

> HSK 5 is the fifth HSK level, covering 2,500 words. You can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, follow films and television programmes, and give a full-length prepared speech in Chinese on a familiar topic.

- Framework: HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (Chinese Proficiency Test)), Chinese Ministry of Education / Chinese Testing International (CTI)
- Typical vocabulary: 2,500 official words and about 1,700 characters; HSK 3.0 sets 4,316 words and 1,500 characters
- Study to reach this level: 1,000-1,800 hours
- Next level: HSK HSK 6

## What you can do at HSK HSK 5

- Read Chinese newspapers and magazines, reaching for a dictionary only occasionally
- Watch Chinese films and television programmes and follow the plot
- Deliver a prepared speech in Chinese on a familiar topic
- Take part in workplace discussions and write formal correspondence
- Understand implied meaning in reasonably complex material

## FAQ

### What does HSK HSK 5 mean?

HSK 5 is the fifth HSK level, covering 2,500 words. You can read Chinese newspapers and magazines, follow films and television programmes, and give a full-length prepared speech in Chinese on a familiar topic.

### What can you do at HSK HSK 5?

At HSK HSK 5 you can typically: Read Chinese newspapers and magazines, reaching for a dictionary only occasionally; Watch Chinese films and television programmes and follow the plot; Deliver a prepared speech in Chinese on a familiar topic; Take part in workplace discussions and write formal correspondence; Understand implied meaning in reasonably complex material.

### How long does it take to reach HSK HSK 5?

Reaching HSK HSK 5 from a standing start typically takes 1,000-1,800 hours. A learner at this level generally has an active vocabulary of 2,500 official words and about 1,700 characters; HSK 3.0 sets 4,316 words and 1,500 characters. These are guides, not guarantees: prior languages, study intensity and how much you speak all move the number substantially.

### How do you practise at HSK HSK 5 with NativePal?

NativePal generates its content at the level you select, so at HSK HSK 5 your reading lessons, vocabulary and speaking prompts are pitched here rather than at a generic average. Reading lessons produce stories written for HSK 5, with every word tappable for a translation and a comprehension quiz at the end. Vocabulary lessons and the spaced-repetition flashcards draw on words appropriate to the level, and Speaking Practice scores your pronunciation on individual sounds, stress and rhythm, fluency and connected speech.

### What comes after HSK HSK 5?

HSK HSK 6 is the next level up. HSK 6 is the highest level of the current six-level HSK exam, covering 5,000 or more words. You can easily understand written and spoken Chinese and express yourself fluently in speech and writing on almost any topic.

## More

- [HSK levels explained](https://nativepal.app/levels/hsk/)
- [All proficiency frameworks](https://nativepal.app/levels/)
- [All supported languages](https://nativepal.app/languages.html)