How many hours per week to reach HSK 4
To reach HSK 4 level, a general recommendation is about 12-15 hours of consistent study per week over 2 to 3 years to become fluent enough for daily life and simple work tasks. Some learners may achieve it faster with more intensive study, while others may take longer depending on pace and methods used. One estimate places learning hours for HSK 4 around 1,200 total hours in vocabulary and skills. 1, 2
Additionally, some sources mention studying 1.5 hours daily (about 10-11 hours weekly) as a practical pace to reach HSK 4 , while more intensive programs may recommend 20-30 hours per week. Total study time estimates vary widely from about 80-120 hours (possibly for focused exam prep) to several hundred or over a thousand hours for full functional fluency. 3, 4, 5, 6
In summary:
| Study Hours per Week | Estimated Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10-15 hours | 2-3 years | General estimate for functional HSK 4 fluency 1, 2 |
| ~10 hours | Flexible | Daily 1.5 hours approach 3 |
| 20-30 hours | Intensive | For faster progress 6 |
| 80-120 hours total | Exam prep focused | Some preparation courses 5 |
This means weekly hours can vary widely depending on individual study intensity and goals, but about 12-15 hours weekly is a common benchmark for reaching HSK 4 proficiency over a couple of years. 2, 1