HSK2 Vocabulary List
Table of Contents
This page is not just a list of words. It is the core building material of HSK2 Chinese. HSK2 vocabulary is designed to move you from simple labels to real expression. With these 300 words, you can begin talking about what you do, what you like, what you think, and what you plan to do. These words are the fuel behind everything explained in the complete HSK2 Guide.
How HSK2 Vocabulary Is Different from HSK1
HSK1 words help you point. HSK2 words help you connect. Instead of only learning nouns and basic verbs, you now learn words that link ideas, show time, express feelings, and explain reasons. That is why HSK2 feels like a real language upgrade.
HSK2 Vocabulary – Part 1: People & Identity
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Example (Chinese) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 我 | wǒ | I, me | 我是学生。 | I am a student. |
| 你 | nǐ | you | 你好吗? | How are you? |
| 他 | tā | he, him | 他是老师。 | He is a teacher. |
| 她 | tā | she, her | 她在中国工作。 | She works in China. |
| 我们 | wǒmen | we, us | 我们学习中文。 | We study Chinese. |
| 你们 | nǐmen | you (plural) | 你们忙吗? | Are you busy? |
| 他们 | tāmen | they, them | 他们是朋友。 | They are friends. |
| 人 | rén | person | 他是好人。 | He is a good person. |
| 朋友 | péngyou | friend | 他是我的朋友。 | He is my friend. |
| 家 | jiā | home, family | 我在家。 | I am at home. |
| 家人 | jiārén | family | 我爱我的家人。 | I love my family. |
| 老师 | lǎoshī | teacher | 她是中文老师。 | She is a Chinese teacher. |
| 学生 | xuéshēng | student | 我是学生。 | I am a student. |
| 同学 | tóngxué | classmate | 他是我的同学。 | He is my classmate. |
| 名字 | míngzi | name | 你的名字是什么? | What is your name? |
| 国 | guó | country | 中国是我的国家。 | China is my country. |
| 中国 | Zhōngguó | China | 我在中国。 | I am in China. |
| 美国 | Měiguó | USA | 他来自美国。 | He is from the USA. |
| 人们 | rénmen | people | 人们很忙。 | People are busy. |
| 自己 | zìjǐ | oneself | 我自己来。 | I will do it myself. |
HSK2 Vocabulary – Part 2: Daily Actions
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Example (Chinese) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 看 | kàn | to see, watch | 我看电视。 | I watch TV. |
| 听 | tīng | to listen | 我听音乐。 | I listen to music. |
| 说 | shuō | to speak | 他说中文。 | He speaks Chinese. |
| 讲 | jiǎng | to talk, explain | 老师讲课。 | The teacher explains the lesson. |
| 读 | dú | to read | 我读书。 | I read books. |
| 写 | xiě | to write | 我写汉字。 | I write Chinese characters. |
| 学 | xué | to learn | 我学中文。 | I study Chinese. |
| 教 | jiāo | to teach | 他教英语。 | He teaches English. |
| 做 | zuò | to do, make | 我做作业。 | I do homework. |
| 用 | yòng | to use | 我用电脑。 | I use a computer. |
| 去 | qù | to go | 我去学校。 | I go to school. |
| 来 | lái | to come | 他来中国。 | He comes to China. |
| 回 | huí | to return | 我回家。 | I go back home. |
| 走 | zǒu | to walk, leave | 我们走吧。 | Let’s go. |
| 进 | jìn | to enter | 他进房间。 | He enters the room. |
| 出 | chū | to go out | 我出门。 | I go out. |
| 坐 | zuò | to sit | 请坐。 | Please sit. |
| 站 | zhàn | to stand | 他站着。 | He is standing. |
| 开 | kāi | to open, start | 我开门。 | I open the door. |
| 关 | guān | to close | 请关门。 | Please close the door. |
| 买 | mǎi | to buy | 我买咖啡。 | I buy coffee. |
| 卖 | mài | to sell | 他卖书。 | He sells books. |
| 给 | gěi | to give | 我给你钱。 | I give you money. |
| 拿 | ná | to take | 我拿手机。 | I take my phone. |
| 放 | fàng | to put | 把书放这儿。 | Put the book here. |
| 找 | zhǎo | to look for | 我找你。 | I look for you. |
| 等 | děng | to wait | 我等你。 | I wait for you. |
| 开始 | kāishǐ | to start | 我们开始吧。 | Let’s start. |
| 结束 | jiéshù | to finish | 课结束了。 | Class is over. |
HSK2 Vocabulary – Part 3: Time & Place
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Example (Chinese) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 今天 | jīntiān | today | 今天我很忙。 | I am busy today. |
| 明天 | míngtiān | tomorrow | 明天见。 | See you tomorrow. |
| 昨天 | zuótiān | yesterday | 昨天我上课。 | I had class yesterday. |
| 现在 | xiànzài | now | 我现在很忙。 | I am busy now. |
| 时候 | shíhou | time, moment | 你什么时候来? | When will you come? |
| 时间 | shíjiān | time | 我没有时间。 | I don’t have time. |
| 年 | nián | year | 明年我去中国。 | I will go to China next year. |
| 月 | yuè | month | 这个月很忙。 | This month is busy. |
| 星期 | xīngqī | week | 下星期见。 | See you next week. |
| 天 | tiān | day | 三天以后。 | Three days later. |
| 早上 | zǎoshang | morning | 早上好。 | Good morning. |
| 晚上 | wǎnshang | evening | 晚上见。 | See you in the evening. |
| 以前 | yǐqián | before | 以前我在北京。 | I was in Beijing before. |
| 以后 | yǐhòu | after | 以后再说。 | We’ll talk later. |
| 这里 | zhèlǐ | here | 我在这里。 | I am here. |
| 那里 | nàlǐ | there | 他在那里。 | He is there. |
| 哪里 | nǎlǐ | where | 你在哪里? | Where are you? |
| 里面 | lǐmiàn | inside | 在房间里面。 | Inside the room. |
| 外面 | wàimiàn | outside | 他在外面。 | He is outside. |
| 上 | shàng | on, above | 书在桌子上。 | The book is on the table. |
| 下 | xià | under, below | 猫在桌子下。 | The cat is under the table. |
| 前面 | qiánmiàn | in front of | 在学校前面。 | In front of the school. |
| 后面 | hòumiàn | behind | 在我后面。 | Behind me. |
| 左边 | zuǒbiān | left side | 在左边。 | On the left. |
| 右边 | yòubiān | right side | 在右边。 | On the right. |
| 远 | yuǎn | far | 学校很远。 | The school is far. |
| 近 | jìn | near | 我家很近。 | My home is near. |
HSK2 Vocabulary – Part 4: Feelings & Opinions
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Example (Chinese) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 喜欢 | xǐhuan | to like | 我喜欢中国菜。 | I like Chinese food. |
| 爱 | ài | to love | 我爱中文。 | I love Chinese. |
| 想 | xiǎng | to want, to think | 我想去中国。 | I want to go to China. |
| 觉得 | juéde | to feel, to think | 我觉得很好。 | I think it’s good. |
| 希望 | xīwàng | to hope | 我希望你来。 | I hope you come. |
| 知道 | zhīdào | to know | 我知道了。 | I know now. |
| 认识 | rènshi | to know (a person) | 我认识他。 | I know him. |
| 明白 | míngbai | to understand | 我明白了。 | I understand. |
| 忘记 | wàngjì | to forget | 我忘记了。 | I forgot. |
| 记得 | jìde | to remember | 我记得你。 | I remember you. |
| 高兴 | gāoxìng | happy | 我很高兴。 | I am happy. |
| 快乐 | kuàilè | joyful | 她很快乐。 | She is joyful. |
| 难过 | nánguò | sad | 我很难过。 | I am sad. |
| 生气 | shēngqì | angry | 他生气了。 | He got angry. |
| 累 | lèi | tired | 我很累。 | I am tired. |
| 忙 | máng | busy | 我很忙。 | I am busy. |
| 有意思 | yǒu yìsi | interesting | 这个很有意思。 | This is interesting. |
| 没意思 | méi yìsi | boring | 这个没意思。 | This is boring. |
| 重要 | zhòngyào | important | 这很重要。 | This is important. |
| 容易 | róngyì | easy | 中文很容易。 | Chinese is easy. |
| 难 | nán | difficult | 这个很难。 | This is hard. |
| 对 | duì | correct | 你说得对。 | You are right. |
| 错 | cuò | wrong | 我错了。 | I was wrong. |
HSK2 Vocabulary – Part 5: Actions & Daily Life
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Example (Chinese) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 工作 | gōngzuò | to work | 我在北京工作。 | I work in Beijing. |
| 学习 | xuéxí | to study | 我学习中文。 | I study Chinese. |
| 上班 | shàngbān | go to work | 我八点上班。 | I go to work at eight. |
| 下班 | xiàbān | get off work | 我六点下班。 | I get off work at six. |
| 上课 | shàngkè | attend class | 我们今天上课。 | We have class today. |
| 下课 | xiàkè | class ends | 三点下课。 | Class ends at three. |
| 吃饭 | chīfàn | to eat | 我们一起吃饭。 | Let’s eat together. |
| 睡觉 | shuìjiào | to sleep | 我想睡觉。 | I want to sleep. |
| 起床 | qǐchuáng | get up | 我七点起床。 | I get up at seven. |
| 走 | zǒu | to walk | 我们走吧。 | Let’s go. |
| 跑 | pǎo | to run | 他跑得很快。 | He runs fast. |
| 来 | lái | to come | 他明天来。 | He will come tomorrow. |
| 去 | qù | to go | 我去学校。 | I go to school. |
| 进 | jìn | enter | 你进来。 | Come in. |
| 出 | chū | leave | 他出去了。 | He went out. |
| 坐 | zuò | to sit | 请坐。 | Please sit. |
| 站 | zhàn | to stand | 他站着。 | He is standing. |
| 看 | kàn | to look, watch | 我看书。 | I read a book. |
| 听 | tīng | to listen | 我听音乐。 | I listen to music. |
| 说 | shuō | to speak | 他说中文。 | He speaks Chinese. |
| 告诉 | gàosu | to tell | 告诉我。 | Tell me. |
| 帮 | bāng | to help | 帮我一下。 | Help me. |
| 找 | zhǎo | to look for | 我找你。 | I’m looking for you. |
| 等 | děng | to wait | 我等你。 | I’ll wait for you. |
| 开始 | kāishǐ | to start | 我们开始吧。 | Let’s start. |
| 结束 | jiéshù | to finish | 课结束了。 | Class is over. |
HSK2 Vocabulary – Part 6: Connectors & Logic
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Example (Chinese) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 因为 | yīnwèi | because | 因为我忙。 | Because I am busy. |
| 所以 | suǒyǐ | so | 所以我不去。 | So I’m not going. |
| 但是 | dànshì | but | 想去,但是很忙。 | I want to go, but I’m busy. |
| 还是 | háishi | or (in questions) | 你喝茶还是咖啡? | Tea or coffee? |
| 或者 | huòzhě | or | 茶或者咖啡。 | Tea or coffee. |
| 也 | yě | also | 我也去。 | I will go too. |
| 都 | dōu | all | 我们都来。 | We all come. |
| 就 | jiù | then, just | 我就去。 | Then I’ll go. |
| 还 | hái | still | 他还在。 | He is still here. |
| 才 | cái | only then | 他九点才来。 | He only came at nine. |
| 已经 | yǐjīng | already | 我已经吃了。 | I already ate. |
| 正在 | zhèngzài | in the process | 我正在学。 | I am studying. |
| 会 | huì | can, will | 我会说中文。 | I can speak Chinese. |
| 可以 | kěyǐ | can, may | 可以进去吗? | May I go in? |
| 要 | yào | want, need | 我要去。 | I want to go. |
| 想要 | xiǎng yào | would like | 我想要这个。 | I want this. |
| 可能 | kěnéng | maybe | 可能他来。 | Maybe he will come. |
| 一起 | yìqǐ | together | 我们一起去。 | Let’s go together. |
| 再 | zài | again | 再说一次。 | Say it again. |
| 一下 | yíxià | a bit | 看一下。 | Take a look. |
| 得 | de | must, need to | 我得走了。 | I must go. |
| 不用 | búyòng | no need | 不用谢。 | No need to thank. |
| 一定 | yídìng | definitely | 我一定来。 | I will definitely come. |
| 非常 | fēicháng | very | 非常好。 | Very good. |
| 真 | zhēn | really | 真好。 | Really good. |
Why These Words Matter
HSK2 vocabulary is not meant to describe everything. It is meant to let you build sentences. Words like 因为, 所以, 会, and 可以 allow you to connect ideas, talk about ability, and explain reasons. These are the tools that turn Chinese from a list of phrases into a living system. If you want to see how these words fit into the full learning path, read our complete HSK2 Guide.
How to Study HSK2 Vocabulary
The fastest way to learn these 300 words is not by memorizing them alone. It is by seeing them inside sentences and hearing them used in real speech.
- ● Read short dialogues.
- ● Listen to slow Chinese.
- ● Speak out loud, even if you make mistakes.
These words only become yours when you use them.
To see how these words work in real Chinese, read the HSK2 Grammar Guide and HSK2 Speaking Guide.
For a complete overview of HSK2, see the HSK2 Core Guide.
FAQ
Q: Is HSK2 vocabulary larger than HSK1?
A: Yes, HSK2 expands from 150 to about 300 words, focusing on connecting sentences and expressing reasons, emotions, and time.
Q: What is the best way to learn HSK2 vocabulary?
A: Don’t just memorize words. Use them in sentences and conversations, and practice listening, reading, and speaking regularly.
Q: Can I use HSK2 vocabulary in daily life?
A: Yes, it covers daily actions, emotions, time, places, and common connectors, sufficient for basic communication.
Q: How do vocabulary and grammar work together?
A: Vocabulary is the raw material, grammar is the tool. Use HSK2 Grammar Guide to form complete sentences and conversations.
Q: I keep forgetting words. What should I do?
A: Practice repeatedly, make sentences, use words in dialogues, and expose yourself to listening contexts so words come alive.
Q: How is this page related to grammar guides?
A: Vocabulary provides the “raw material,” grammar shows “how to use it.” To see words in real sentences, check the HSK2 Grammar Guide and Speaking Guide.