10 common HSK 4 writing mistakes and how to fix them
These are the mistakes we see again and again in intermediate learners' writing. Each one is easy to fix once you know the rule, and fixing them is the fastest way to stop losing marks.
Updated 14 November 2026
Every example below is a typical learner sentence. The red line is how it is often written; the green line is the correct version.
1. Using 见面 with an object
我昨天见面了我的老师。
我昨天跟我的老师见面了。
我昨天见到了我的老师。
见面 already contains its object (面, "face"), so it cannot take another one. Put the person before it with 跟 or 和, or use a verb that does take an object, such as 见到. The same applies to other verb-object words such as 帮忙, 结婚 and 毕业: say 跟他结婚, not 结婚他.
2. Putting the duration in the wrong place
我学习汉语了两年。
我学了两年汉语。
我学汉语学了两年。
How long something lasted goes right after the verb (and after 了), before the object. If you want to keep the object next to the verb, repeat the verb: verb + object + verb + 了 + duration.
3. Adding 是 before an adjective
这个周末是很有意思。
这个周末很有意思。
In Chinese, adjectives work as the verb of the sentence on their own. 是 links two nouns ("A is B"); it is not the English "is" in front of an adjective. Use 很 or another adverb instead.
4. Mixing up 的, 得 and 地
他跑的很快。
他跑得很快。
我们要认真的学习。
我们要认真地学习。
All three are pronounced de, but they do different jobs: 的 comes before a noun, 地 comes before a verb (describing how it is done), and 得 comes after a verb (describing the result or degree). See our full guide to 的, 得 and 地.
5. Using 了 for habits
小时候我常常去了奶奶家。
小时候我常常去奶奶家。
了 marks something that happened and was completed, not simply "past tense". Things you used to do regularly, with words such as 常常, 每天 or 经常, do not take 了. More in our guide to 了.
6. Joining two sentences with 和
我喜欢看书和我哥哥喜欢运动。
我喜欢看书，我哥哥喜欢运动。
我喜欢看书，而我哥哥喜欢运动。
和 joins nouns (我和他, 苹果和香蕉), not whole clauses. To link two clauses use a comma, or a conjunction such as 而, 而且 or 但是, depending on the meaning.
7. Using 还是 in a statement
周末我想去看电影还是去逛街。
周末我想去看电影或者去逛街。
你想去看电影还是去逛街？
Both words mean "or", but 还是 is for questions where you choose between options, and 或者 is for statements.
8. Using 个 for everything
我买了一个书，还找到了一个好工作。
我买了一本书，还找到了一份好工作。
个 is the general measure word, but many common nouns have their own, and examiners notice. Learn them together with the noun: 一本书, 一份工作, 一件衣服, 一张票, 一辆车, 一家公司.
9. Learning "from" a person without 那里
我从老师学到了很多东西。
我从老师那里学到了很多东西。
After 从, Chinese needs a place. A person is not a place, so add 那里 (or 这里) after them. The same goes for 到 and 在: 我在朋友那里住了一个星期.
10. Look-alike characters
我己经来中国两年了。刚来的时侯，自然坏境让我很惊讶。
我已经来中国两年了。刚来的时候，自然环境让我很惊讶。
In handwritten and typed exams alike, these pairs cost marks: 已 / 己, 候 / 侯, 环 / 坏, 在 / 再, 做 / 作. When you type pinyin, the input method offers both; read the character before you pick it.
How to use this list
Do not try to memorise all ten at once. Write a short paragraph, check it, and note which of these mistakes you made. Most learners repeat the same two or three, and fixing those few makes the biggest difference to your score.