Meanings of 沉
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Podcast: 沉
Podcast: 沉
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AI Study Notes for 沉
沉 (chén) vs 低 (dī) — use 沉 for sinking or submerging, while 低 refers to something being low in position or height.
Be cautious with the tone; 沉 is pronounced with a second tone (chén) when used in certain phrases or compounds, such as '沉重' (chénzhòng - heavy). It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but may sound more literary when discussing abstract concepts.
Although 沉 is not in the HSK lists, it is relevant for learners at HSK 4 and above. It connects to other words related to depth or weight, such as 深 (shēn - deep) and 重 (zhòng - heavy). Focus on recognizing its use in idiomatic expressions.
Learners often confuse 沉 with 浸 (jìn), which means 'to soak' or 'to immerse.' For example, saying '我想沉这个衣服' (wǒ xiǎng chén zhège yīfú) is incorrect; it should be '我想浸这个衣服' (wǒ xiǎng jìn zhège yīfú).
Pronunciation of 沉
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Learning Lab
Knowing 沉 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.
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Etymology of 沉
Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 沉 represents the sound. Variant of 沈.
An excessive 冗 amount of water 氵
Origin
What kind of character is 沉?
Decomposition of 沉
Parts
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How to say to submerge in Chinese
“to submerge” in Chinese is沉
The character 沉 (chēn) primarily means 'to sink' or 'to submerge.' It conveys the idea of something being lowered into a substance, often water, or being kept down emotionally or intellectually. In broader contexts, it can also describe something profound or heavy, such as thoughts or feelings.
When to use 沉
Be cautious with the tone; 沉 is pronounced with a second tone (chén) when used in certain phrases or compounds, such as '沉重' (chénzhòng - heavy). It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but may sound more literary when discussing abstract concepts.
沉 or something close to it
沉 (chén) vs 低 (dī) — use 沉 for sinking or submerging, while 低 refers to something being low in position or height.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 沉 with 浸 (jìn), which means 'to soak' or 'to immerse.' For example, saying '我想沉这个衣服' (wǒ xiǎng chén zhège yīfú) is incorrect; it should be '我想浸这个衣服' (wǒ xiǎng jìn zhège yīfú).
Write 沉
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Practice writing 沉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 沉
沉 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
她的情绪很不稳定，时而积极，时而消____。
Her emotions are very unstable — sometimes positive, sometimes depressed.
Common Confusions with 沉
Different meaning and usage, but pronounced similarly.
Which one
Which one means “to submerge”?
Example Sentences for 沉 (10)
Rebuild it
Rebuild it: “I held my breath and sank under the water.”
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Word Family of 沉
Words with 沉
What does 沉默 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 沉
沉 (chén) generally refers to the action of sinking or submerging, while 下沉 (xià chén) specifically means 'to sink downwards.' 下沉 emphasizes the downward movement, whereas 沉 can be used more broadly in various contexts.
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