HSK 7-9 — 冷酷 to 廉价

Introduction

HSK 7-9 vocabulary represents near-native proficiency — advanced academic, professional, and literary Chinese used by educated speakers in sophisticated contexts.

This chapter covers 55 words from 冷酷 to 廉价, spanning nuanced meanings across formal registers, specialised domains, and idiomatic expression.

Themes

All HSK 7-9 Vocabulary in This Chapter (55)

1. 联邦 lián bāng Federation; federal union. A political organisation in which constituent units are united under a central government while retaining a de...
2. 理念 lǐ niàn Concept; guiding philosophy; core principle; a set of values or beliefs that directs thinking and action.
3. 理性 lǐ xìng Rational; rationality; reason. The capacity to think logically and make decisions based on evidence and principles rather than emotion.
4. 力度 lì dù Intensity; force; the degree of strength or effort applied. Used for physical force, rhetorical emphasis, and the vigour of policy or act...
5. 利率 lì lǜ Interest rate. The proportion at which interest is charged on a loan or earned on a deposit, expressed as a percentage over a given period.
6. 连任 lián rèn To be re-elected or re-appointed to the same position; to serve consecutive terms in office.
7. 历程 lì chéng Course of development; journey; the process through which something or someone has passed over a significant period of time.
8. 冷战 lěng zhàn The Cold War; also the 'silent treatment' — a state of mutual hostility expressed through tension and non-communication rather than open ...
9. 历经 lì jīng To have passed through; to have endured or experienced over a sustained period. Implies a significant, often arduous journey through even...
10. 连锁 lián suǒ Chain; linked in a series. Describes businesses, reactions, or events that are interconnected in a chain-like structure.
11. 廉价 lián jià Cheap; low-priced; inexpensive. Refers to goods or services sold at a low price, often implying questionable quality or low perceived value.
12. 立体 lì tǐ Three-dimensional; solid; having length, breadth, and height. By extension, comprehensive, multi-faceted, or multi-layered.
13. 礼仪 lǐ yí Etiquette; protocol; ceremonial rites; the rules and customs governing formal behaviour and conduct.
14. 理所当然 lǐ suǒ dāng rán As a matter of course; naturally; taken for granted. Describes something regarded as self-evident or obviously justified.
15. 黎明 lí míng Dawn; daybreak; the first light of day. Refers to the period at or just before sunrise.
16. 联网 lián wǎng To connect to a network; to go online; to link systems together. Refers to internet connectivity or the interconnection of devices and sy...
17. 冷漠 lěng mò Indifferent; emotionally detached; aloof. Describes a sustained attitude of cold disinterest towards others.
18. 历来 lì lái Throughout history; from time immemorial; always; invariably. States that something has been consistently true across all past time.
19. 力争 lì zhēng To strive earnestly for; to fight hard to achieve or obtain; to argue strongly in favour of. Implies determined effort against resistance...
20. 离职 lí zhí To resign from a job; to leave one's post; to quit employment. A formal term for departing from one's current position.
21. 立足 lì zú To gain or maintain a foothold; to establish a stable base; to base one's actions or arguments on a particular standpoint.
22. 利害 lì hài Advantages and disadvantages; pros and cons; the stakes or interests involved. Refers to the balance of benefit and harm in a situation.
23. 力求 lì qiú To strive for; to make every effort to achieve. Conveys strong, active determination to accomplish a specific goal.
24. 立方 lì fāng Cube; cubic. In mathematics, the result of raising a number to the third power; in geometry, a three-dimensional solid with equal sides.
25. 理会 lǐ huì To understand; to pay attention to; to bother about. Used in negative — 不理会 (to disregard/ignore) — or to mean to comprehend something.
26. 礼服 lǐ fú Formal dress; ceremonial attire; an outfit worn for special or official occasions.
27. 历届 lì jiè All previous sessions; successive past terms or cohorts. Refers collectively to every edition or iteration that has come before the curre...
28. 里程碑 lǐ chéng bēi Milestone; a significant marker of progress or achievement. Literally, a stone marker on a road indicating distance.
29. 冷酷 lěng kù Cold-hearted; ruthless; merciless. Describes a person or behaviour devoid of warmth, compassion, or empathy.
30. 粒 lì A measure word for small, round, or granular objects such as grains, seeds, pills, bullets, or beads.
31. 礼品 lǐ pǐn Gift; present; an item given as a token of respect, appreciation, or celebration.
32. 连夜 lián yè That very night; overnight; without waiting for daylight. Describes acting urgently and immediately, often through the night.
33. 离奇 lí qí Strange; bizarre; extraordinary; uncanny. Describes events or situations that are unusually odd or difficult to explain.
34. 理科 lǐ kē The natural sciences; science subjects as a curriculum category. In Chinese secondary education, the division between 理科 (sciences) and 文...
35. 连锁店 lián suǒ diàn Chain store; a retail outlet that is part of a larger network of stores operating under the same brand, management, and standards.
36. 立方米 lì fāng mǐ Cubic metre; m³. The standard SI unit of volume, equal to the space occupied by a cube with sides of one metre.
37. 冷笑 lěng xiào To sneer; to laugh coldly or scornfully. A derisive, contemptuous laugh conveying mockery rather than genuine amusement.
38. 立功 lì gōng To render meritorious service; to distinguish oneself by a commendable deed; to make a contribution worthy of formal recognition or reward.
39. 冷落 lěng luò To neglect; to cold-shoulder; to leave someone feeling ignored or unwelcome. Also used as an adjective meaning deserted or desolate.
40. 理直气壮 lǐ zhí qì zhuàng To speak with justified confidence; to act boldly because one is in the right. Describes assertive behaviour grounded in moral or logical...
41. 励志 lì zhì Inspirational; motivational; to inspire and strengthen one's will or determination. Describes content or actions that stoke ambition and ...
42. 冷门 lěng mén An unpopular or obscure field; a dark horse; an unexpected upset or outsider result. Literally 'cold gate/door.'
43. 力所能及 lì suǒ néng jí Within one's power; to the extent of one's ability. Describes acting helpfully within the limits of what one is genuinely capable of.
44. 理睬 lǐ cǎi To pay attention to; to take notice of; to respond to. Almost always used in the negative — 不理睬 (to ignore completely).
45. 联欢 lián huān To hold a joint celebration or get-together; to celebrate together. Refers to a festive gathering where different groups join in entertai...
46. 利索 lì suo Nimble and efficient; neat and clean without hesitation. Describes someone who acts quickly, decisively, and without mess or delay.
47. 立交桥 lì jiāo qiáo Overpass; interchange bridge; flyover. A multi-level road structure that allows separate traffic streams to cross without intersecting at...
48. 莲子 lián zǐ Lotus seed; the edible seed of the lotus plant, widely used in Chinese cuisine, herbal medicine, and desserts.
49. 冷酷无情 lěng kù wú qíng Cold-hearted and utterly heartless; pitilessly cruel. A four-character expression intensifying total merciless indifference.
50. 离谱儿 lí pǔr Outrageous; way out of line; absurd; going far beyond acceptable limits. A colloquial exclamation of disbelief.
51. 帘子 lián zi Curtain; hanging panel of fabric, bamboo, or beads used to cover a window, doorway, or opening.
52. 连绵 lián mián Continuous and unbroken; stretching on without interruption. Used for mountains, rain, or sound that extends endlessly.
53. 怜惜 lián xī To feel tenderness and pity for; to cherish with compassion. Combines sympathy for someone in difficulty with a protective, caring affect...
54. 力不从心 lì bù cóng xīn The will is there but the strength is lacking; unable to do what one desires despite genuine intent. Describes a gap between aspiration a...
55. 连滚带爬 lián gǔn dài pá Rolling and crawling; moving frantically in a panicked, ungainly manner. Describes desperate, hurried movement with great difficulty.