HSK 2: 2.0 vs 3.0, word by word

What changed at HSK 2

Of the rest, 16 moved up (13 to Level 3, three to Level 5) and 6 lost their entries. HSK 3.0 Level 2 fills its 197 places with 41 words from higher levels, 34 of them HSK 2.0 Level 3 (爱好, 地铁, 舒服, 自己), three from Level 1 (饭馆, 前面, 后面) and 83 words HSK 2.0 never listed.

Many of the new words are pieces HSK 2.0 left implicit: directional verbs such as 出来, 进去 and 回来, and place words such as 上面, 下面 and 外面. Colours show the new logic well. 白色, 红色, 黑色 and 绿色 are new Level 2 words, while the bare characters 白, 红 and 黑 moved up to Level 5.

Several HSK 2.0 compounds were dropped in favour of their parts or a modern word. 公共汽车 is gone and 公交车 is new at Level 2. 唱歌 and 打篮球 are gone too, while 唱 and 歌 are Level 1 and 篮球 is Level 2.

To see where the words in your own list or Anki deck landed, paste them into the HSK 2.0 → 3.0 checker. It runs in your browser and can add HSK3:: tags to an Anki export.

Where HSK 2.0 Level 2’s words went

Now HSK 2, earlier than before

These 41 words were at a higher HSK 2.0 level. If you follow HSK 3.0, you need them sooner.

• 啊āā: interjection of surprise; Ah!; Oh! · á: interjection expressing doubt or…HSK 2.0: 3
• 爱好ài hàoto like; to be fond of; to take pleasure in; to be keen onHSK 2.0: 3
• 班bānteam; class; grade; (military) squad; work shiftHSK 2.0: 3
• 帮忙bāng mángto help; to lend a hand; to do a favor; to do a good turnHSK 2.0: 3
• 包bāoto cover; to wrap; to hold; to include; to take charge ofHSK 2.0: 3
• 不好意思bù hǎo yì sito feel embarrassed; to find it embarrassingHSK 2.0: 5
• 地dede: -ly · dì: earth; ground; field; place; landHSK 2.0: 3
• 等děngto wait for; to await; by the time; when; tillHSK 2.0: 4
• 地铁dì tiěunderground railway; subway; subway trainHSK 2.0: 3
• 鸟diǎodiǎo: penis · niǎo: birdHSK 2.0: 3
• 个子gè zistature; height; size (of a person or object)HSK 2.0: 4
• 跟gēnheel; to follow closely; to go with; (of a woman) to marry sbHSK 2.0: 3
• 过guòguò: to cross; to go over · guo: (experienced action marker)HSK 2.0: 4
• 过去guò qùguò qù: (in the) past; former; previous · guò qu: (verb suffix)HSK 2.0: 3
• 还是hái shistill (as before); had better; unexpectedly; orHSK 2.0: 3
• 花huāflower; blossom; fancy pattern; florid; to spend (money, time)HSK 2.0: 3
• 画huàto draw; to paint; picture; painting (CL:幅张)HSK 2.0: 3
• 坏huàibad; spoiled; broken; to break down; (suffix) to the utmostHSK 2.0: 3
• 记得jì deto rememberHSK 2.0: 3
• 教jiāojiāo: to teach; to instruct · jiào: (bound form) to teach; to instructHSK 2.0: 3
• 经常jīng chángfrequently; constantly; regularly; oftenHSK 2.0: 3
• 裤子kù zipants; trousersHSK 2.0: 3
• 楼lóuhouse with more than 1 story; storied building; floorHSK 2.0: 3
• 拿náto hold; to seize; to catch; to apprehend; to takeHSK 2.0: 3
• 奶奶nǎi nai(informal) grandma (paternal grandmother)HSK 2.0: 3
• 起来qǐ laiqǐ lai: to stand up; to get up; also pr. · qi lai: (after a verb) indicating t…HSK 2.0: 4
• 上网shàng wǎngto go online; to connect to the InternetHSK 2.0: 3
• 舒服shū fucomfortable; feeling wellHSK 2.0: 3
• 虽然suī ránalthough; even though (often used correlatively with 可是 or 但是 e…HSK 2.0: 3
• 疼téng(it) hurts; sore; to love dearlyHSK 2.0: 3
• 条tiáostrip; item; article; clause (of law or treaty)HSK 2.0: 3
• 万wànten thousand; a great numberHSK 2.0: 3
• 往wǎngto go (in a direction); to; towards; (of a train) bound forHSK 2.0: 4
• 位wèiposition; location; place; seatHSK 2.0: 3
• 为什么wèi shén mewhy?; for what reason?HSK 2.0: 3
• 洗手间xǐ shǒu jiāntoilet; lavatory; washroomHSK 2.0: 3
• 爷爷yé ye(coll.) paternal grandfather; grandpaHSK 2.0: 3
• 一会儿yī huìra moment; a while; in a moment; now...now...; also pr. HSK 2.0: 3
• 站zhànstation; to stand; to halt; to stopHSK 2.0: 3
• 正zhēngzhēng: first month of the lunar year · zhèng: straight; upright; proper; mainHSK 2.0: 5
• 自己zì jǐoneself; (attributive) one's ownHSK 2.0: 3

All 41, in pinyin order.

Now HSK 2, later than before

3 words were at a lower HSK 2.0 level and now belong here.

• 饭馆fàn guǎnrestaurantHSK 2.0: 1
• 后面hòu mianthe back; the rear; the last bitHSK 2.0: 1
• 前面qián miànahead; in front; preceding; above; also pr. HSK 2.0: 1

All 3, in pinyin order.

New at HSK 2

83 words at this level were not in the HSK 2.0 lists.

• 白色bái sèwhite; fig. reactionary; anti-communistHSK 3.0: 2
• 帮bāngto help; to assist; to support; for sb (i.e. as a help)HSK 3.0: 2
• 本子běn zibook; notebookHSK 3.0: 2
• 笔bǐwriting brush; writing implement (pen, pencil etc) (CL:支,枝)HSK 3.0: 2
• 不错bù cuòcorrect; right; not bad; pretty goodHSK 3.0: 2
• 车站chē zhànrail station; bus stopHSK 3.0: 2
• 出国chū guóto go abroad; to leave the countryHSK 3.0: 2
• 出来chū láichū lái: to come out; to appear; to arise · chu lai: (after a verb, indicates c…HSK 3.0: 2
• 出门chū ménto go out; to leave home; to go on a journey; away from homeHSK 3.0: 2
• 出去chū qùto go outHSK 3.0: 2
• 床chuángbed; couch (furniture that one can lie down on) 张)HSK 3.0: 2
• 词cíword; statement; speech; lyricsHSK 3.0: 2
• 从小cóng xiǎofrom childhood; from a young ageHSK 3.0: 2
• 打dádá: (loanword) dozen; Taiwan pr. · dǎ: a semantically light, transitive…HSK 3.0: 2
• 打车dǎ chēto take a taxi (in town); to hitch a liftHSK 3.0: 2
• 打开dǎ kāito open; to show (a ticket); to turn on; to switch onHSK 3.0: 2
• 但dànbut; yet; however; still; merely; only; justHSK 3.0: 2
• 动dòng(of sth) to move; to set in movement; to displace; to touchHSK 3.0: 2
• 飞fēito flyHSK 3.0: 2
• 高中gāo zhōnggāo zhōng: senior high school (abbr. for 高级中… · gāo zhòng: to pass brilliantly…HSK 3.0: 2
• 公交车gōng jiāo chēpublic transport vehicle; town busHSK 3.0: 2
• 过来guò láito come over; to manage; to handle; to be able to take care ofHSK 3.0: 2
• 过年guò niánto celebrate the Chinese New YearHSK 3.0: 2
• 黑色hēi sèblackHSK 3.0: 2
• 红茶hóng cháblack teaHSK 3.0: 2
• 红色hóng sèred (color); revolutionaryHSK 3.0: 2
• 回来huí laito return; to come backHSK 3.0: 2
• 回去huí quto return; to go backHSK 3.0: 2
• 机票jī piàoplane ticket; airline ticketHSK 3.0: 2
• 间jiānjiān: between; among · jiàn: gap; to separateHSK 3.0: 2
• 进来jìn láito come inHSK 3.0: 2
• 进去jìn qùto go inHSK 3.0: 2
• 酒店jiǔ diànwine shop; pub (public house); hotel; restaurantHSK 3.0: 2
• 开学kāi xué(of a student) to start school; (of a semester) to beginHSK 3.0: 2
• 考kǎoto beat; to hit; to inspect; to test; to take an exam; to checkHSK 3.0: 2
• 快要kuài yàonearly at the point of (doing sth); about to (do sth)HSK 3.0: 2
• 篮球lán qiúbasketballHSK 3.0: 2
• 里面lǐ miàninside; interior; also pr. HSK 3.0: 2
• 路上lù shangon the road; on the way; en routeHSK 3.0: 2
• 绿茶lǜ chágreen teaHSK 3.0: 2
• 绿色lǜ sègreenHSK 3.0: 2
• 没意思méi yì siboring; of no interestHSK 3.0: 2
• 门口mén kǒudoorway; gateHSK 3.0: 2
• 门票mén piàoticket (for theater, cinema etc)HSK 3.0: 2
• 面miànface; side; surface; aspect; topHSK 3.0: 2
• 名míngname; noun (part of speech); place (e.g. among winners); famousHSK 3.0: 2
• 那么nà melike that; in that way; to that extentHSK 3.0: 2
• 那样nà yàngthat kind; that sortHSK 3.0: 2
• 奶茶nǎi chámilk teaHSK 3.0: 2
• 男孩儿nán háirboyHSK 3.0: 2
• 女孩儿nǚ háirgirl; lassHSK 3.0: 2
• 跑páopáo: (of an animal) to paw (the ground) · pǎo: to run; to run away; to escapeHSK 3.0: 2
• 球qiúball used for playing games (variant of 球); ball; sphere; globeHSK 3.0: 2
• 肉ròumeat; flesh; pulp (of a fruit); (coll.) (of a fruit) squashyHSK 3.0: 2
• 商场shāng chǎngshopping mall; shopping center; department store; emporiumHSK 3.0: 2
• 上来shàng láito come up; to approach; (verb complement indicating success)HSK 3.0: 2
• 上面shàng miànon top of; above-mentioned; also pr. HSK 3.0: 2
• 上去shàng qùto go upHSK 3.0: 2
• 时shío'clock; time; when; hour; season; periodHSK 3.0: 2
• 手shǒuhand; (formal) to hold; person engaged in certain types of workHSK 3.0: 2
• 书包shū bāoschoolbag; satchel; bookbagHSK 3.0: 2
• 头tóutóu: head; hair style; the top; end · tou: suffix for nounsHSK 3.0: 2
• 外国wài guóforeign countryHSK 3.0: 2
• 外面wài miànoutside (also pr. for this sense); surface; exteriorHSK 3.0: 2
• 网上wǎng shàngonlineHSK 3.0: 2
• 忘wàngto forget; to overlook; to neglectHSK 3.0: 2
• 下来xià laito come down; (completed action marker)HSK 3.0: 2
• 下面xià miànbelow; under; next; the following; also pr. ; to boil noodlesHSK 3.0: 2
• 下去xià qùto go down; to descend; to go on; to continueHSK 3.0: 2
• 小孩儿xiǎo háirchildHSK 3.0: 2
• 小时候xiǎo shí houin one's childhoodHSK 3.0: 2
• 姓名xìng míngHSK 3.0: 2
• 药店yào diànpharmacy; drugstoreHSK 3.0: 2
• 游yóuto swim; to walk; to tour; to roam; to travelHSK 3.0: 2
• 有时yǒu shísometimes; now and thenHSK 3.0: 2
• 有意思yǒu yì siinteresting; meaningful; enjoyable; funHSK 3.0: 2
• 右yòu(bound form) right; right-hand sideHSK 3.0: 2
• 这么zhè meso much; this much; how much?; this way; like thisHSK 3.0: 2
• 这样zhè yàngthis way; like this; so; (before a noun) this kind of; suchHSK 3.0: 2
• 周zhōuto make a circuit; to circle; circle; circumference; lap; cycleHSK 3.0: 2
• 走路zǒu lùto walk; to go on foot; to leave; to departHSK 3.0: 2
• 足球zú qiúsoccer; football; a soccer ball; a footballHSK 3.0: 2
• 左zuǒleft; the Left (politics); east; unorthodox; queer; wrongHSK 3.0: 2

All 83, in pinyin order.

Left HSK 2.0 Level 2

Moved to a higher level (16)

• 白báiwhite; snowy; pure; bright; empty; blank; plain; clearHSK 3.0: 5
• 帮助bāng zhùassistance; aid; to help; to assistHSK 3.0: 3
• 报纸bào zhǐnewspaper; newsprintHSK 3.0: 3
• 船chuánboat; vessel; shipHSK 3.0: 3
• 公斤gōng jīnkilogram (kg)HSK 3.0: 3
• 黑hēiblack; dark; sinister; secret; shady; illegalHSK 3.0: 5
• 红hóngred; popular; revolutionary; bonusHSK 3.0: 5
• 欢迎huān yíngto welcome; welcomeHSK 3.0: 3
• 回答huí dáto reply; to answer; reply; answerHSK 3.0: 3
• 男人nán réna man; a male; menHSK 3.0: 3
• 女人nǚ rénnǚ rén: woman · nǚ ren: wifeHSK 3.0: 3
• 为wéiwéi: as (in the capacity of) · wèi: because of; for; toHSK 3.0: 3
• 西瓜xī guāwatermelonHSK 3.0: 3
• 向xiàngtowards; to face; to turn towards; direction; to supportHSK 3.0: 3
• 张zhāngto open up; to spread; sheet of paperHSK 3.0: 3
• 自行车zì xíng chēbicycle; bikeHSK 3.0: 3

All 16, in pinyin order.

Moved to a lower level (55)

• 吧bābā: bar (loanword) (serving drinks, o… · ba: (modal particle indicating sugges…HSK 3.0: 1
• 百bǎihundred; numerous; all kinds ofHSK 3.0: 1
• 便宜biàn yíbiàn yí: convenient · pián yi: cheap; inexpensiveHSK 3.0: 1
• 穿chuānto wear; to put on; to dress; to bore through; to pierceHSK 3.0: 1
• 大家dà jiāeveryone; influential family; great expertHSK 3.0: 1
• 到dàoto reach; to arrive; to leave for; to go toHSK 3.0: 1
• 弟弟dì diyounger brotherHSK 3.0: 1
• 房间fáng jiānroomHSK 3.0: 1
• 非常fēi chángvery; really; unusual; extraordinaryHSK 3.0: 1
• 哥哥gē geolder brotherHSK 3.0: 1
• 给gěigěi: to; for; for the benefit of · jǐ: (bound form) to supply; to provideHSK 3.0: 1
• 公司gōng sīcompany; firm; corporationHSK 3.0: 1
• 贵guìexpensive; (bound form) highly valued; preciousHSK 3.0: 1
• 还háihái: still; still in progress · huán: to pay back; to returnHSK 3.0: 1
• 孩子hái zichildHSK 3.0: 1
• 号háoháo: (bound form) to wail; to howl · hào: (literary) to call out; to commandHSK 3.0: 1
• 好吃hǎo chīhǎo chī: tasty; delicious · hào chī: to be fond of eating; to be glutt…HSK 3.0: 1
• 鸡蛋jī dàn(chicken) egg; hen's eggHSK 3.0: 1
• 件jiànitem; component; classifier for events, things, clothes etcHSK 3.0: 1
• 姐姐jiě jieolder sisterHSK 3.0: 1
• 觉得jué deto think that ...; to feel that ...; to feel (uncomfortable etc)HSK 3.0: 1
• 可以kě yǐcan; may; possible; able to; not bad; pretty goodHSK 3.0: 1
• 课kèsubject; course; class; lesson; to levy; taxHSK 3.0: 1
• 两liǎngtwo; both; some; a fewHSK 3.0: 1
• 卖màito sell; to betray; to spare no effort; to show off or flauntHSK 3.0: 1
• 忙mángbusy; hurriedly; to hurry; to rushHSK 3.0: 1
• 妹妹mèi meiyounger sister; young womanHSK 3.0: 1
• 您nínyou (courteous, as opposed to informal 你)HSK 3.0: 1
• 牛奶niú nǎicow's milkHSK 3.0: 1
• 起床qǐ chuángto get out of bed; to get upHSK 3.0: 1
• 千qiānthousandHSK 3.0: 1
• 去年qù niánlast yearHSK 3.0: 1
• 上班shàng bānto go to work; to be on duty; to start work; to go to the officeHSK 3.0: 1
• 生病shēng bìngto fall illHSK 3.0: 1
• 时间shí jiān(concept of) time; (duration of) time; (point in) timeHSK 3.0: 1
• 手机shǒu jīcell phone; mobile phoneHSK 3.0: 1
• 它tāit; it (pronoun for an animal)HSK 3.0: 1
• 外wàioutside; in addition; foreign; externalHSK 3.0: 1
• 玩wánto play; to have fun; to trifle with; toyHSK 3.0: 1
• 晚上wǎn shangevening; night; in the eveningHSK 3.0: 1
• 问wènto ask; to inquireHSK 3.0: 1
• 问题wèn tíquestion; problem; issue; topicHSK 3.0: 1
• 小时xiǎo shíhourHSK 3.0: 1
• 新xīnnew; newly; meso- (chemistry)HSK 3.0: 1
• 休息xiū xirest; to restHSK 3.0: 1
• 雪xuěsnow; (literary) to wipe away (a humiliation etc)HSK 3.0: 1
• 要yāoyāo: (bound form) to demand; to coerce · yào: to want; to need; to ask forHSK 3.0: 1
• 也yěalso; too; as well; (not ...) eitherHSK 3.0: 1
• 元yuáncurrency unit (esp. Chinese yuan)HSK 3.0: 1
• 再zàiagain; once more; re-; further; beyond this point of timeHSK 3.0: 1
• 早上zǎo shangearly morningHSK 3.0: 1
• 找zhǎoto try to find; to look for; to call on sb; to find; to seekHSK 3.0: 1
• 真zhēnreally; truly; indeed; real; true; genuineHSK 3.0: 1
• 正在zhèng zàito be in the process of (doing sth); to be currently ...-ingHSK 3.0: 1
• 知道zhī dàoto know; to become aware of; also pr. HSK 3.0: 1

All 55, in pinyin order.

No longer listed (6)

• 唱歌chàng gēto sing a songHSK 2.0: 2
• 第一dì yīfirst; most important; primary; foremostHSK 2.0: 2
• 服务员fú wù yuánwaiter; waitress; attendant; customer service personnelHSK 2.0: 2
• 公共汽车gōng gòng qì chēbusHSK 2.0: 2
• 羊肉yáng ròumutton; goat meatHSK 2.0: 2
• 打篮球HSK 2.0: 2

All 6, in pinyin order.

How these lists were made

We compared the HSK 3.0 levels from the official syllabus (Chinese Testing International, November 2025) with the HSK 2.0 levels word by word, one row per written word. Spelling variants that are the same word, such as 面条 and 面条儿, count once; “7-9” is treated as one level. The HSK 3.0 vs 2.0 guide explains the method and its limits.

HSK 2.0 levels and 72 HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 entries: drkameleon/complete-hsk-vocabulary (MIT). Pinyin and meanings: CC-CEDICT (MDBG), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0; meanings are shortened to the first senses.