What does 过 mean in Chinese?

过 (guò) means "to cross; to go over; to pass (time); to celebrate (a holiday); to live; to get along; excessively; too-" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 2.

How do you pronounce 过?

过 is pronounced "guò" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 过?

过 is an HSK 2 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on the old exam, HSK 2 on the new one.

What words contain the character 过?

Common words with 过 include 不过 (only), 一过性 (transient), 不过意 (to be sorry), 信不过 (to distrust), 信得过 (trustworthy).

How do you write 过?

过 has 6 strokes. Its radical is 辶. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

过 (guò), to cross

过

guò

to cross; to go over; to pass (time); to celebrate (a holiday)

HSK 2 Was HSK 4verb6 strokes

Traditional: 過

Character Breakdown

过 = 寸 + 辶

Walking past a measure — to pass, to cross

Radical: 辶 (no. 162)Strokes: 6Traditional: 過

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to cross
to go over
to pass (time)
to celebrate (a holiday)
to live
to get along
excessively
too-

Example Sentences

我去过中国。

Wǒ qùguo Zhōngguó

I have been to China

Words Containing 过

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
不过	bù guò	only	HSK 4
一过性	yī guò xìng	transient
不过意	bù guò yì	to be sorry
信不过	xìn bù guò	to distrust
信得过	xìn de guò

Related Words

下来(xià lai)· to come down

→

来日方长(lái rì fāng cháng)· the future is long (idiom); there will be ample time for that later

→

巴山越岭(bā shān yuè lǐng)· to climb hills and pass over mountains (idiom); to cross mountain after mountain

→

久而久之(jiǔ ér jiǔ zhī)· over time

→

Grammar Notes

Although (虽然...但是)HSK 2

虽然 + Concession, 但是/可是 + Contrast

Experience with 过HSK 2

Subject + Verb + 过 (+ Object)

Compound Directional ComplementsHSK 3

Verb + Direction (上/下/进/出/回/过/起) + 来/去

Again: 又 vs 再HSK 3

又 + Verb (past repetition) / 再 + Verb (future repetition)

Emphasis with 是HSK 3

Subject + 是 + Verb/Adjective + (的)

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 2
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

过: HSK 4 on the old exam, HSK 2 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 2 exam

Studying for HSK 2? Keep 过 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 2 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.