HSK 2 Vocabulary List — Every Word with Pinyin & Meaning
Here is every HSK 2 word, each with pinyin, tone colors and its English meaning. The list is ordered by how often the word turns up in real Chinese text, so the highest-impact vocabulary comes first.
Updated June 2026
HSK 2 is part of the standard test of Mandarin proficiency. Below are all 453 HSK 2 words in our dictionary, each with pinyin, tone colors and a meaning in your language. They are ordered by how often they appear in real text, so the words that will repay your effort fastest come first.
- 1
because of; for
- 2
(once) again; also
- 3
because; owing to
- 4
towards; to face
- 5
oneself; (attributive) one's own
- 6
modal particle ending sentence, showing affirmation, approval, or consent
- 7
in front of; facing
- 8
to seek; to look for
- 9
if (coming after a conditional clause)
- 10
(onom.) dong; ding dong (bell)
- 11
to obtain; to get
- 12
this way; like this
- 13
can; may
- 14
to resemble; to be like
- 15
don't!; must not
- 16
to pull; to play (a bowed instrument)
- 17
name; noun (part of speech)
- 18
but; yet
- 19
variant of 隻|只[zhi1]
- 20
therefore; as a result
- 21
band; belt
- 22
to grow; to give birth
- 23
long; (bound form) length
- 24
road; path (CL:條|条[tiao2],股[gu3])
- 25
ten thousand; a great number
- 26
day; a (calendar) date
- 27
to go (in a direction); to
- 28
already
- 29
letter; mail
- 30
then; at that time
- 31
someone; people
- 32
chest; heart
- 33
it
- 34
forever; eternal
- 35
thousand
- 36
to depart; to leave
- 37
how; what kind
- 38
many; a lot of
- 39
maybe; perhaps
- 40
to fall; to collapse
- 41
as if; to seem like
- 42
among; in
- 43
to take; to get
- 44
voice; sound
- 45
the sky; the heavens
- 46
position; location
- 47
all; to have
- 48
oil; fat
- 49
all; whole
- 50
uncooked rice; meter (unit of length)
- 51
safe and sound; well
- 52
seat; base
- 53
will; shall
- 54
to add; (math.) plus
- 55
wine (esp. rice wine); liquor
- 56
face; side
- 57
foot; leg (of an animal or an object)
- 58
head; hair style
- 59
to send out; to show (one's feeling)
- 60
ocean; sea
- 61
to become; to turn into
- 62
more; even more
- 63
to fill; full
- 64
to hand over; to deliver
- 65
after; later
- 66
to enter; to join
- 67
to carry (hanging down from the hand); to lift
- 68
to give; to deliver
- 69
assistance; aid
- 70
why?; for what reason?
- 71
angle; corner
- 72
ability; talent
- 73
to leave; to part from
- 74
food
- 75
master; host
- 76
to pass; to go through
- 77
to flow; to disseminate
- 78
to succeed; to finish
- 79
romance; love (romantic)
- 80
spouse (PRC); lover (non-PRC)
- 81
quiet; peaceful
- 82
white; fig. reactionary
- 83
to take care of (a matter); to deal with (a task, procedure etc)
- 84
midnight; in the middle of the night
- 85
class monitor; squad leader
- 86
to eat till full; satisfied
- 87
to sign up; to enter one's name
- 88
the back of a body or object; to turn one's back
- 89
north; the northern part a country
- 90
writing brush; writing implement (pen, pencil etc) (CL:支[zhi1],枝[zhi1])
- 91
for example; for instance
- 92
to have to; must
- 93
variant of 遍[bian4]
- 94
to change; to become different
- 95
side; edge
- 96
to change into; to turn into
- 97
exterior surface; family relationship via females
- 98
correct; right
- 99
not only (... but also ...)
- 100
not enough; insufficient
- 101
only; merely
- 102
not long (after); before too long
- 103
dissatisfied; discontented
- 104
not equal to; not as good as
- 105
many; quite a few
- 106
different; distinct
- 107
won't do; be out of the question
- 108
not necessarily; maybe
- 109
variant of 草[cao3]
- 110
lawn; meadow
- 111
to pile on top of one another; layer
- 112
to research; to check
- 113
almost; nearly
- 114
large place used for a specific purpose; stage
- 115
commonly seen; common
- 116
in common usage
- 117
to surpass; to exceed
- 118
vehicle
- 119
to weigh; to state
- 120
to repeat; to duplicate
- 121
again; once more
- 122
an exit; CL:個|个[ge4]
- 123
to go out; to leave home
- 124
to appear; to arise
- 125
variant of 船[chuan2]
- 126
to blow; to play a wind instrument
- 127
old variant of 詞|词[ci2]
- 128
from childhood; from a young age
- 129
greatly; enormously
- 130
sea; ocean
- 131
everyone; influential family
- 132
entrance; door
- 133
adult; grownup
- 134
loud voice; in a loud voice
- 135
to plan; to intend
- 136
large and small; size
- 137
to affix a seal; to stamp
- 138
to answer; to respond
- 139
to bring; (fig.) to bring about
- 140
egg; CL:個|个[ge4],打[da2]
- 141
but; however
- 142
then; at that time
- 143
everywhere
- 144
reason; argument
- 145
road; path
- 146
to obtain (a result); to arrive at (a conclusion)
- 147
lamp; light
- 148
to wait until; by the time when (sth is ready etc)
- 149
low; beneath
- 150
the earth
- 151
inn; old-style hotel (CL:家[jia1])
- 152
to nod
- 153
to fall; to drop
- 154
northeast
- 155
to understand; to know
- 156
east
- 157
southeast
- 158
winter
- 159
animal; CL:隻|只[zhi1],群[qun2],個|个[ge4]
- 160
to pass; to spend (time)
- 161
paragraph; section
- 162
short; brief
- 163
squadron; team
- 164
(sitting) opposite; across (the street)
- 165
(not only ...) but also; moreover
- 166
to notice; to become aware of
- 167
convenient; suitable
- 168
to lay down; to put down
- 169
to feel relieved; to feel reassured
- 170
to separate; to part
- 171
to confer; to grant
- 172
to change; to alter
- 173
should; ought to
- 174
to change; to alter
- 175
to move (sb); to touch (sb emotionally)
- 176
to thank; to be grateful
- 177
(literary) hard; firm
- 178
just now; a moment ago
- 179
fair; impartial
- 180
enough (sufficient); enough (too much)
- 181
dog; CL:隻|只[zhi1],條|条[tiao2]
- 182
deliberately; on purpose
- 183
to come over; to manage
- 184
(in the) past; former
- 185
coast; seaside
- 186
to yell; to shout
- 187
easy to get along with
- 188
(coll.) for a long time
- 189
good person; healthy person
- 190
good action, deed, thing or work (also sarcastic, "a fine thing indeed"); charity
- 191
river (CL:條|条[tiao2],道[dao4]); (bound form) the Yellow River
- 192
black; dark
- 193
black
- 194
red; popular
- 195
red (color); revolutionary
- 196
afterwards; later
- 197
lake
- 198
suddenly; all of a sudden
- 199
to draw; to paint
- 200
bad person; villain
- 201
to exchange; to change (clothes etc)
- 202
yellow; pornographic
- 203
to exercise; to move about
- 204
or; possibly
- 205
urgent; pressing
- 206
fowl; chicken
- 207
opportunity; chance
- 208
fake; false
- 209
family; household
- 210
to add oil; to top up with gas
- 211
head of a household; family head
- 212
item; component
- 213
to speak; to explain
- 214
a speech; to speak
- 215
teacher; CL:個|个[ge4]
- 216
to be connected; traffic
- 217
to educate; to teach
- 218
to call; to be called
- 219
joint; node
- 220
to borrow; (used in combination with 給|给[gei3] or 出[chu1] etc) to lend
- 221
to receive; to answer (the phone)
- 222
street; CL:條|条[tiao2]
- 223
to receive (letter etc)
- 224
outcome; result
- 225
to accept (a suggestion, punishment, bribe etc); to acquiesce
- 226
to catch and hold on; to continue
- 227
near; close to
- 228
catty; (PRC) weight equal to 500 g
- 229
(of a process etc) to proceed; to be in progress
- 230
manager; director
- 231
sentence; clause
- 232
variant of 舉|举[ju3]
- 233
to raise a hand; to put up one's hand (as signal)
- 234
to hold (a meeting, ceremony etc)
- 235
to lean against or on; to stand by the side of
- 236
quarter (hour); moment
- 237
to be able to; to subdue
- 238
adorable; cute
- 239
awful; dreadful
- 240
visitor; guest
- 241
air; atmosphere
- 242
to cry; to weep
- 243
happy; joyful
- 244
nearly at the point of (doing sth); about to (do sth)
- 245
blue; indigo plant
- 246
blue (color)
- 247
elderly; old age
- 248
inside; interior
- 249
gift; present
- 250
to practice; to train
- 251
face; CL:張|张[zhang1],個|个[ge4]
- 252
cool; cold
- 253
bright; light
- 254
classifier for vehicles
- 255
old variant of 留[liu2]
- 256
to leave behind; to stay behind
- 257
(of a contagious disease etc) to spread; to propagate
- 258
green; (slang) (derived from 綠帽子|绿帽子[lu:4 mao4 zi5]) to cheat on (one's spouse or boyfriend or girlfriend)
- 259
green
- 260
to sell; to betray
- 261
name (of a thing); name (of an organization)
- 262
purpose; aim
- 263
to take out; to put out
- 264
to get; to obtain
- 265
like that; in that way
- 266
at that time
- 267
that kind; that sort
- 268
south; southern direction
- 269
to feel sad; to feel unwell
- 270
ugly; unsightly
- 271
to be capable of; to be able to
- 272
young
- 273
bird; CL:隻|只[zhi1],群[qun2]
- 274
to do; to manage
- 275
to make an effort; to try hard
- 276
to crawl; to climb
- 277
to be afraid; to fear
- 278
to arrange in order; to line up
- 279
variant of 碰[peng4]
- 280
to run into; to meet (unexpectedly)
- 281
thin piece; flake
- 282
sheet; piece of writing
- 283
cheap; inexpensive
- 284
flat; level
- 285
bottle; vase
- 286
ordinary; common
- 287
equal; equality
- 288
bottle; CL:個|个[ge4]
- 289
to sit astride; to ride (a horse, bike etc)
- 290
gas; air
- 291
variant of 牆|墙[qiang2]
- 292
clear; fine (weather)
- 293
light; easy
- 294
clear; distinct
- 295
youth; youthful years
- 296
autumn; CL:個|个[ge4]
- 297
whole nation; nationwide
- 298
whole family
- 299
the whole body; (typography) em
- 300
all; entire
- 301
then; after that
- 302
to yield; to permit
- 303
population; people
- 304
number of people
- 305
to believe; to think
- 306
if; in case
- 307
entrance; to import
- 308
to consult; to talk over
- 309
merchant; businessman
- 310
early youth; youngster
- 311
what kind?; what sort?
- 312
to save; to economize
- 313
to live; life
- 314
market; city
- 315
very; completely
- 316
affair; matter
- 317
to use; to employ
- 318
really; actually
- 319
to receive; to accept
- 320
to receive
- 321
to take in; income
- 322
ripe; mature
- 323
number; figure
- 324
smoothly; without a hitch
- 325
to explain; to illustrate
- 326
to send; to give as a present
- 327
to calculate; to figure out
- 328
as one wishes; as one pleases
- 329
although; even though (often used correlatively with 可是[ke3 shi4] or 但是[dan4 shi4] etc)
- 330
at any time; at all times
- 331
they; them
- 332
married woman; Mrs.
- 333
sun; sunlight
- 334
to cover; to encase
- 335
unusual; special
- 336
(it) hurts; sore
- 337
topic; problem for discussion
- 338
to raise (an issue); to propose
- 339
to mention; to raise (a subject)
- 340
strip; item
- 341
to stop; to halt
- 342
straight; erect
- 343
to hear (sth said); one hears (that)
- 344
to go through; to know well
- 345
to pass through; to get through
- 346
at the same time; simultaneously
- 347
colleague; co-worker
- 348
to notify; to inform
- 349
hair (on the head)
- 350
leg; CL:條|条[tiao2]
- 351
to push; to cut
- 352
to finish; to be over
- 353
variant of 碗[wan3]
- 354
evening meal; dinner
- 355
to complete; to accomplish
- 356
complete; whole
- 357
net; web
- 358
hey; to feed (an animal, baby, invalid etc)
- 359
to hear; news
- 360
the West; the Occident
- 361
habit; custom
- 362
to bathe; to take a shower
- 363
summer; CL:個|个[ge4]
- 364
to snow
- 365
echo; sound
- 366
to think of; to call to mind
- 367
way of thinking; opinion
- 368
camera (abbr. for 照相機|照相机[zhao4 xiang4 ji1]); at the opportune moment
- 369
to recall; to think of
- 370
identical; same
- 371
to believe; to be convinced
- 372
joke; jest
- 373
to be careful; to take care
- 374
shoe; CL:雙|双[shuang1],隻|只[zhi1]
- 375
news; CL:條|条[tiao2]
- 376
information; news
- 377
confidence; faith (in sb or sth)
- 378
central point; in one's thoughts
- 379
operation; action
- 380
surname and given name; full name
- 381
pedestrian; traveler on foot
- 382
action; conduct
- 383
to choose; to pick
- 384
snow; CL:場|场[chang2]
- 385
eye (CL:隻|只[zhi1],雙|双[shuang1]); (often used with 一[yi1]) a look
- 386
eye; CL:隻|只[zhi1],雙|双[shuang1]
- 387
color; countenance
- 388
to raise (animals); to bring up (children)
- 389
appearance; manner
- 390
leaf of the iris; variant of 藥|药[yao4]
- 391
to request; to require
- 392
variant of 夜[ye4]
- 393
during the night; at night
- 394
100 million
- 395
same; ordinary
- 396
a little bit
- 397
surely; certainly
- 398
in total; altogether
- 399
idea; opinion
- 400
before; formerly
- 401
that level or higher; that amount or more
- 402
all one's life; throughout one's life
- 403
idea; opinion
- 404
apart from; other than
- 405
to think; to believe (often with the implication that the belief is mistaken – unless referring to one's own current belief)
- 406
that level or lower; that amount or less
- 407
straight (in a straight line); continuously
- 408
chair; CL:把[ba3],張|张[zhang1]
- 409
overcast (weather); cloudy
- 410
bank; CL:家[jia1],個|个[ge4]
- 411
ought to; should
- 412
fish (CL:條|条[tiao2],尾[wei3]); used in the names of various aquatic animals that are not fish (including abalone 鮑魚|鲍鱼[bao4 yu2], alligators and crocodiles 鱷魚|鳄鱼[e4 yu2] and octopi 章魚|章鱼[zhang1 yu2])
- 413
courtyard; institution
- 414
original; former
- 415
to wish; to want
- 416
the head of an institution whose name ends in 院[yuan4]; chair of a board
- 417
courtyard; garden
- 418
to exceed; to climb over
- 419
month
- 420
the moon
- 421
(classical) to say
- 422
to move; to exercise
- 423
dirty; filthy
- 424
early morning; also pr. [zao3chen5]
- 425
already at an earlier time
- 426
what's to be done
- 427
how?; how about?
- 428
variant of 占[zhan4]
- 429
to come to a stop; to halt
- 430
to grow up
- 431
so much; this much
- 432
at this time; at this moment
- 433
genuine; real
- 434
is precisely
- 435
variant of 紙|纸[zhi3]
- 436
can only; obliged to do sth
- 437
so long as; provided
- 438
middle age
- 439
to make a circuit; to circle
- 440
anniversary; annual
- 441
main; principal
- 442
adornment; to adorn
- 443
freedom; liberty
- 444
to walk past; to pass by
- 445
to enter; to step into
- 446
to leave; to walk away
- 447
to hire; to rent
- 448
mouth; beak
- 449
recently; soon
- 450
way of handling sth; method for making
- 451
to prepare a meal; to cook
- 452
author; CL:個|个[ge4],位[wei4]
- 453
seat; CL:個|个[ge4]
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