Speak Chinese Like a Pro: Top 10 Words from HSK 4 You Can’t Miss

Welcome back, everyone! This is Learn to Speak Chinese. Today, we’re covering ten essential words from HSK 4, Lesson 12. These words will help you communicate more naturally in Chinese. Let’s get started!

规定

Our first word is 规定. It can function as both a verb and a noun.When used as a verb, it means "to stipulate" or "to require." For example:法律规定父母必须送子女入学。"The law requires parents to send their children to school."Here, 规定 emphasizes the action of setting rules or requirements.

As a noun, it refers to "regulations" or "rules." For instance:这些规定是为了保证每个人的安全和快乐。"These regulations are designed to ensure everyone’s safety and happiness."So, 规定 can describe both the act of making rules and the rules themselves.

死

Next, we have 死, which typically means "to die." However, it can also describe something as rigid or inflexible.There’s a common saying:规定是死的，人是活的。"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible."This phrase encourages flexibility within the boundaries of rules.

可惜

可惜 means "it’s a pity" or "unfortunately."For example:可惜今天下雨了，不能去公园了。"It’s a pity it rained today, so we can’t go to the park."Use 可惜 to express regret or disappointment about missed opportunities.

全部

全部 means "all" or "the whole." It emphasizes totality or completeness.For example:我们已经检查了全部的文件。"We’ve already checked all the documents."Whether talking about tasks, people, or items, 全部 helps stress that something includes everything.

商量

Now, let’s talk about 商量, which means "to discuss" or "to consult." This word emphasizes equal negotiation and reaching a consensus. It involves cooperation, where all parties have an equal say, and the tone is often gentle and cooperative. The goal of 商量 is to reach an agreement, usually through compromise.For example:

• 我们大家坐下来好好商量一下，看看有什么更好的解决办法。"We should sit down and discuss to find a better solution."

• 领导和员工们商量了一下，决定采用新的工作方案。"The leaders and employees discussed and decided to adopt the new work plan."

Let’s talk about 讨论, which also means "to discuss" or "to talk about." Unlike 商量, 讨论 is often used for exchanging ideas and doesn’t always require reaching an agreement. You might have different opinions, or even debates, in a 讨论. It can refer to both formal meetings or informal chats, where the main focus is on the exchange of ideas.For example:

• 今天的会议上，大家对这个问题进行了热烈的讨论。"At today’s meeting, everyone had a heated discussion on this issue."

• 我们在课堂上讨论了这个问题的各种可能性。"We discussed various possibilities for this issue in class."

Summary:

• 商量 emphasizes cooperation and reaching an agreement through negotiation.

• 讨论 is about the exchange of ideas and may or may not result in a consensus.

对于

对于 means "regarding" or "with respect to," and it’s used to introduce a topic or focus.For example:对于这个计划，我觉得还有改进的空间。"Regarding this plan, I think there’s still room for improvement."Here’s another example:对于孩子的教育，家长需要有更多的耐心。"Regarding children’s education, parents need to have more patience."对于 often sets the stage for what follows, helping to clarify what you’re talking about.

引起

引起 means "to cause" or "to trigger." It’s used when one event leads to an emotional, intellectual, or abstract reaction. For example:他的发言引起了大家的注意。"His speech caught everyone’s attention."

节约

Now, let’s talk about 节约, which means "to save" or "to conserve." It’s often used when talking about saving resources like money, water, or energy.For example:我们应该节约用水，保护环境。"We should save water and protect the environment."节约 focuses on saving resources in specific contexts, like energy or money, often for practical or environmental reasons.

Now, let’s discuss 节俭.节俭 means "frugal" or "economical." It’s about living a simple, modest life, where you avoid waste and use resources carefully. It’s more of a lifestyle choice.For example:他过着节俭的生活，从不浪费。"He lives a frugal life and never wastes anything."节俭 focuses on being modest and avoiding excess, especially in how you live your life. It’s often used when talking about a person’s overall approach to life.

Summary:

• 节约 is about saving resources, especially in specific contexts like money or energy.

• 节俭 is a frugal lifestyle, emphasizing modesty and avoiding waste.

力气

Next, let’s talk about 力气, which means strength or effort, specifically referring to physical energy. When you need to do something that requires physical effort, you would use 力气.For example:搬这张桌子需要很大的力气。"It takes a lot of strength to move this table."It’s also used when describing physical tasks that require energy, like lifting or pushing.

Now, let’s distinguish it from 努力, which means "to work hard" or "to make an effort," but it’s broader and applies to both physical and mental efforts. When you’re striving toward a goal, whether physical or intellectual, you would use 努力. It implies dedication and persistence.For example:

• 他为了通过考试，付出了很多努力。"He put a lot of effort into passing the exam."

• 我们应该努力工作，争取更好的未来。"We should work hard to strive for a better future."

Summary:

• 力气 focuses on physical strength or energy used in tasks like lifting.

• 努力 refers to working hard or making an effort, and can be both physical and mental.

相反

Finally, we have 相反, which means "on the contrary" or "opposite."When comparing two things, 相反 is used to show their contrast. It typically appears after the first part of the sentence and before the opposite idea.For example:这个问题和上一个问题相反。"This issue is the opposite of the previous one."You can also use 相反 in direct comparisons like this:他喜欢安静的环境，相反，我喜欢热闹的地方。"He likes a quiet environment; on the contrary, I like lively places."

That’s it for today’s lesson! These ten words are useful and versatile, whether you’re expressing opinions, talking about rules, or describing situations.

Try using them in your daily conversations, and you’ll sound more fluent in no time. Thanks for joining today’s class, and I’ll see you in the next lesson.