Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
瀋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
瀋
chén
to sink, to submerge; addicted; surname
x, 18 strokes, radical 氵
chén(chen2)chen T2
1to sink, to submerge; addicted; surname
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
瀋chén(chen2)
The character 瀋 (chén) primarily means 'to sink' or 'to submerge,' often used in contexts related to water or being overwhelmed. It can also imply a state of being addicted to something, indicating a deep immersion in an activity or substance. Additionally, it serves as a surname in Chinese culture.
Strokes18Radical氵
Cultural note
In Chinese literature, the concept of sinking or being submerged often symbolizes emotional depths, such as love or sorrow, reflecting the cultural significance of water as a metaphor for feelings.
Memory tip
Imagine a deep sea creature named 'Chen' sinking into the dark ocean depths, surrounded by water and feeling completely submerged. The radical氵 (water) signifies its connection to water, while the rest of the character hints at the depth of immersion.
Meanings of 瀋
chén(chen2)
1to sink, to submerge; addicted; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 瀋 means.
About 瀋
瀋Simplified
18Strokes
氵Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 瀋
Podcast: 瀋
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 瀋
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 瀋 (chén) with similar-sounding characters like 沉 (chén), which also means 'to sink' but has different uses. Use 瀋 in more formal contexts or literary works, while 沉 is more common in everyday conversation. Pay attention to the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can change meanings.
HSK Study Tips
Though 瀋 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words about water and immersion found in earlier levels. Students should focus on recognizing the water radical and understanding its nuanced meanings in various contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 瀋 with 沉; for example, saying '我沉在工作中' (wǒ chén zài gōngzuò zhōng) instead of '我瀋在工作中' (wǒ shěn zài gōngzuò zhōng) when referring to being immersed in work. Remember, 瀋 is less common and more literary.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 瀋
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 瀋, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 瀋 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
How well do you know 瀋?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 瀋 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
瀋 = 氵 + 審. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 瀋
IDS Structure⿰氵審
瀋Full character
=
氵shui3
left
審shen3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 瀋?
How to say to sink, to submerge; addicted; surname in Chinese
“to sink, to submerge; addicted; surname” in Chinese is瀋chén
The character 瀋 (chén) primarily means 'to sink' or 'to submerge,' often used in contexts related to water or being overwhelmed. It can also imply a state of being addicted to something, indicating a deep immersion in an activity or substance. Additionally, it serves as a surname in Chinese culture.
When to use 瀋
Common mistakes include confusing 瀋 (chén) with similar-sounding characters like 沉 (chén), which also means 'to sink' but has different uses. Use 瀋 in more formal contexts or literary works, while 沉 is more common in everyday conversation. Pay attention to the correct tone, as mispronouncing it can change meanings.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 瀋 with 沉; for example, saying '我沉在工作中' (wǒ chén zài gōngzuò zhōng) instead of '我瀋在工作中' (wǒ shěn zài gōngzuò zhōng) when referring to being immersed in work. Remember, 瀋 is less common and more literary.
Write 瀋
瀋
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 瀋 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Ask Jason
Have a question about 瀋?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
Word Family of 瀋
Words containing this character13
沈chénsurname Shen
沈阳old names include Fengtian 奉天, Shengjing 盛京 and Mukden瀋陽
沈阳市old names include Fengtian 奉天, Shengjing 盛京 and Mukden瀋陽市
沈从文Shen Congwen (1902-1988), novelist沈從文
沈河区Shenhe district of Shenyang city 瀋陽市|沈阳市, Liaoning沈河區
辽沈战役Liaoshen Campaign (Sep-Nov 1948), the first of the three major campaigns by the People's Liberation Army near the end of the Chinese Civil War遼瀋戰役
沈国放Shen Guofang (1952-), PRC assistant minister of foreign affairs (2003-2005)沈國放
沈丘县Shenqiu county in Zhoukou 周口[Zhōukǒu], Henan沈丘縣
沈丘Shenqiu county in Zhoukou 周口[Zhōukǒu], Henan
沈北新Shenbeixin district of Shenyang city 瀋陽市|沈阳市, Liaoning
沈复Shen Fu (1763-c. 1810), Qing dynasty writer, author of Six records of a floating life 浮生六記|浮生六记[fúshēngliùjì]沈復
沈莹Shen Ying of Wu, governor (268-280) of coastal province of Wu and compiler of Seaboard Geographic Gazetteer 臨海水土誌|临海水土志沈瑩
沈葆祯Shen Baozhen (1820-1879), Qing Minister of the Navy, founded Fuzhou Naval College 船政學堂|船政学堂[ChuánzhèngXuétáng] in 1866沈葆禎
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 瀋
What does 沈阳 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 瀋
Phrases are rare, but it can be used in literary contexts, such as describing someone 'sinking' into grief.
No, it is more commonly found in literary or formal contexts.
Think of the name 'Chen' going underwater, which helps associate the sound with the meaning.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 瀋?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
