HSK 2 grammar

HSK 2 adds the structures that let you say how and when things happen: comparisons with 比, the particles 得, 着 and 过, direction verbs such as 回来 and 出去, and linking words like 因为…所以… and 虽然…但是….

Each page explains one point, with examples you can listen to, common mistakes and a three-question quiz. The points follow the grammar list in the 2025 HSK syllabus, grouped into the patterns you actually use.

1. 1 比 比: comparing two things A 比 B + adjective = A is more … than B: 他比我高. Never put 很 in a 比 sentence.
2. 2 没有 没有 in comparisons: not as … as A 没有 B + adjective = A is not as … as B: 我没有他高.
3. 3 得 得: how well something is done Verb + 得 + description says how something is done: 他说得很快.
4. 4 的 / 得 / 地 的, 得, 地: three “de” particles All three are read “de”: 的 before nouns, 得 after verbs, 地 before verbs.
5. 5 过 过: have done before Verb + 过 says you have had the experience: 我去过北京. Negative: 没去过.
6. 6 着 着: a continuing state 着 after a verb shows a state that continues: 门开着, 他坐着看书.
7. 7 来 / 去 Direction with 来 and 去: 回来, 进去, 上来 来 = towards the speaker, 去 = away from the speaker: 进来 (come in), 出去 (go out).
8. 8 出来 / 进去 / 回来… Compound direction: 拿出来, 走过去 An action verb plus a direction: 拿出来 (take out), 跑过去 (run over), 走进来 (walk in).
9. 9 完 / 懂 / 错 / 好 / 会 Result complements: 看完, 听懂, 写错 A second word after the verb says the result: 听懂 understand (by listening), 做完 finish doing.
10. 10 还是 还是: or (in questions); had better In questions, “or” is 还是: 茶还是咖啡？ 还是…吧 also means “had better”.
11. 11 因为…所以… 因为…所以…: because… so… Give the reason first with 因为 and the result with 所以. Either word can be left out.
12. 12 虽然…但是… 虽然…但是…: although… but… Chinese uses both halves: 虽然…但是…, where English uses only “although”.
13. 13 是…的 是…的: when, where, how something happened 是…的 stresses when, where or how a past action happened: 我是坐飞机来的.
14. 14 别 / 不要 别 and 不要: don’t 别 or 不要 + verb tells someone not to do something: 别说话. 别…了 = stop doing.
15. 15 快要…了 / 要…了 快要…了 / 要…了: about to (快)要…了 means something is about to happen: 火车快要开了.
16. 16 已经…了 已经…了: already 已经…了 means “already”: 我已经吃饭了. 了 is almost always needed.
17. 17 一…就… 一…就…: as soon as 一 A 就 B = as soon as A happens, B happens: 我一到家就睡觉了.
18. 18 让 / 叫 / 请 让, 叫, 请: get someone to do something A 让 B + verb = A has B do something or lets B do it: 妈妈让我早点儿睡觉.
19. 19 就 就: right away, just, then 就 before a verb shows something happens soon, early or easily: 我马上就来.
20. 20 AA / A一A / AABB Doubling verbs and adjectives: 看看, 高高兴兴 Doubling a verb makes it softer, “have a quick…”: 你看看. Doubling adjectives adds feeling.
21. 21 时量补语 How long: 学了两年, 等了一个小时 The length of time goes after the verb: 我学了两年. A second 了 means “and still going”.
22. 22 从 / 到 / 往 / 离 从, 到, 往, 离: from, to, towards, distance 从…到… from…to…, 往 towards, A 离 B 很近 = A is close to B.
23. 23 次 次: how many times Number + 次 after the verb says how many times: 我去过两次北京.
24. 24 每…都… 每…都…: every 每 (every) is usually followed by 都 before the verb: 我每天都喝茶.
25. 25 几 / 多 Rough numbers: 几, 多 几个 = a few; 十多个 = more than ten; 一个多小时 = over an hour.