Beginner band
HSK Level 2
The second beginner level. You move from single phrases to short exchanges about daily life, shopping, travel and plans.
What the new HSK 2 exam expects
From the CLEC, HSK Test Syllabus (中文水平考试 HSK 考试大纲), released 15 November 2025. The syllabus lists 200 entries at this level, one per sense, which is 197 distinct words.
When you can sit HSK 2
| Test date | Which exam | Registration closes |
|---|---|---|
| 17 October 2026 | Old HSK (2.0) | Registration closed |
| 7 November 2026 | Old HSK (2.0), the last global sitting | Internet 28 October 2026 |
| 13 December 2026 | New HSK, the first official sitting | Paper 16 November 2026, internet 3 December 2026 |
Registration closes at 24:00 Beijing time on the day shown. Test centres often close earlier than CTI’s deadline, so check with yours. Every date and centre
HSK 2 on the old exam and the new one
Old HSK 2 was set at 300 words in total. New HSK 2 expects 500. The level numbers stayed; what each one asks for did not.
A learner who knows every word on the old HSK 2 list is ready for new HSK 1 by our count against the official lists, counting a level as ready at four words in five.
What you can do at HSK 2
- Talk about your routine, your plans and what happened yesterday
- Buy things, ask for directions and order food
- Read short notices and messages on familiar topics
- Recognise and start to handwrite the most frequent characters
Words from the HSK 2 syllabus
12 of the 197 words, in syllabus order.
How to study for HSK 2
- 1.The syllabus has a handwriting list shared by levels 1 and 2. Write those characters by hand, not only on a screen.
- 2.Read your new words back in context. Graded readers at this level help more than word lists alone.
- 3.Keep reviewing HSK 1 words. The exam at each level assumes everything below it.
HSK Lord’s HSK 2 study list follows the 2021 national standard, which the exam syllabus grew out of. We are moving every study list onto the syllabus; until then the syllabus list above is the one to check against the exam.
Download the HSK 2 vocabulary PDF
HSK Lord's HSK 2 study list in a printable PDF, with pinyin and English.
Browse the full word list free online →
Get the printable PDF for $12HSK 1+2+3 Starter Pack · one-time purchase · instant download, yours forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related reading
Sources
- CLEC, HSK Test Syllabus (中文水平考试 HSK 考试大纲), published 15 November 2025, read 26 September 2026.
- Chinese Testing International, HSK 3.0 launch notice, published 9 September 2026, read 26 September 2026.
- Chinese Testing International, 2026 HSK test dates, published 25 December 2025, read 26 September 2026.
- Chinese Testing International, notice for the second HSK 3.0 trial sitting, published 12 August 2026, read 26 September 2026.
- CCTV Education, report on the new HSK standard, published 19 December 2025, read 26 September 2026.
- Wikipedia, "Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi" (its table of the 2012 HSK levels), read 27 September 2026.
On the new HSK 2 exam
Studying for HSK 2? Practice the rest of your level.
HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each word comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.