HSK 2 Vocabulary List: 150 Words (HSK 2.0) + New HSK 3.0 List
HSK 2 is the second level of China's official Mandarin proficiency exam. It adds 150 new words to the 150 from HSK1: connectors, opinions, daily routines, and the words you need to talk about more than yourself and your immediate needs.
This is the HSK 2.0 list. The exam changes to HSK 3.0 worldwide on 13 December 2026. See the HSK 3.0 level 2 word list and what changed in HSK 3.0.
What Is HSK 2?
The HSK (汉语水平考试 — Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì) is China's official standardised test of Mandarin Chinese for non-native speakers. HSK 2 is the second of six levels, building directly on HSK1's 150 words with another 150, for 300 in total.
At HSK 2 level you can communicate in simple, direct exchanges about familiar topics: talking about your day, making plans with friends, shopping, and giving simple opinions. It corresponds roughly to A2 on the European CEFR scale.
HSK 2 exam format: 60 questions · ~35 minutes · Listening + Reading sections
Vocabulary required: 300 words (150 from HSK1 + 150 new)
Passing score: 120 / 200 points
The 20 Most Useful HSK2 Words
These words show up constantly once you start forming longer sentences and opinions. Click any character to open it in HanziBook.
- 但是 dànshì — but, however
- 因为 yīnwèi — because
- 所以 suǒyǐ — so, therefore
- 已经 yǐjīng — already
- 还 hái — still / also / even more
- 一起 yìqǐ — together
- 觉得 juéde — to feel / to think
- 知道 zhīdào — to know
- 希望 xīwàng — to hope
- 介绍 jièshào — to introduce
- 帮助 bāngzhù — to help
- 准备 zhǔnbèi — to prepare
- 开始 kāishǐ — to start
- 完 wán — to finish / to be done
- 比 bǐ — compared to / than
- 怎么样 zěnmeyàng — how about it? / how is it?
- 为什么 wèishénme — why
- 一样 yíyàng — the same / alike
- 漂亮 piàoliang — pretty / beautiful
- 容易 róngyì — easy
HSK2 Words by Category
The full 150-word HSK2 list spans these categories. Click any character to practice it in HanziBook.
Connectors & Logic
Feelings & Opinions
Daily Life
Transport & Places
Time Words
Shopping & Food
Tip: HanziBook includes all HSK1–4 vocabulary (500+ words) with pinyin, English meanings, stroke animations, and printable practice sheets. Use the Browse panel to filter by HSK level and category.
What's New Compared to HSK1
HSK1 teaches you to name things and ask basic questions. HSK2 teaches you to connect ideas and express opinions. The vocabulary above opens up several new sentence patterns:
- Giving reasons — 因为...所以... — 我很累，因为我昨天没睡觉。 Wǒ hěn lèi, yīnwèi wǒ zuótiān méi shuìjiào. "I'm tired because I didn't sleep yesterday."
- Comparing things — 比 — 这个比那个贵。 Zhège bǐ nàge guì. "This one is more expensive than that one."
- Sharing opinions — 觉得 — 我觉得这本书很有意思。 Wǒ juéde zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yìsi. "I think this book is very interesting."
- Talking about ongoing or completed actions — 正在 / 已经...了 — 他正在工作。 Tā zhèngzài gōngzuò. "He is working right now." 我已经吃了。 Wǒ yǐjīng chī le. "I've already eaten."
How to Learn HSK2 Vocabulary Efficiently
- Build full sentences, not just flashcards — HSK2 words like 因为 (yīnwèi), 所以 (suǒyǐ) and 觉得 (juéde) only make sense in a sentence. Practice each new word in a short sentence about your own life; it sticks far better than a bare character-to-meaning pair.
- Keep reviewing HSK1 words — The HSK2 exam still tests HSK1 vocabulary. Mix old and new words in every practice session so the foundation stays solid while you add to it.
- Pay attention to word order with connectors — Connector pairs such as 因为...所以... (yīnwèi... suǒyǐ...) and 虽然...但是... (suīrán... dànshì...) have a fixed order that differs from English. Write out a few example sentences for each pair until the pattern feels automatic.
- Use spaced repetition — Review new words at increasing intervals: day 1, day 3, day 7, day 14. HanziBook's lesson builder automatically includes 20% spaced-repetition words from previous lessons in every printed practice sheet.