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