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深 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
深shēnold variant of 深[shēn]HSK 4, a, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1244, Medium
深shēndeep, profound; depthHSK 4, a, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1244, Medium
深shēnold variant of 深[shen1]HSK 4, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1244, Medium, attributive
深shēndeeplyHSK 4, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1244, Medium
深shēn(of a color) darkHSK 4, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1244, Medium
深shēnrichHSK 4, unknown, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1244, Medium
shēn(shen1) T1
  1. 1old variant of 深[shēn]
  2. 2deep, profound; depth
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
深(㴱)shēn(shen1)

The character 深 (shēn) means 'deep' or 'profound' and is used to describe both physical depth, such as the depth of water, and abstract concepts, like profound thoughts or feelings. It can also refer to dark or rich colors, conveying a sense of intensity or saturation in various contexts.

Strokes11Radical氵Frequency#1244DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of depth can extend to relationships and knowledge. For instance, deep conversations are valued in friendships, reflecting the importance of understanding and connection.

Memory Tip

Imagine a deep well (深) – picture lowering a bucket down into its dark, rich water. The depth (深) represents both the physical distance and the profound knowledge you gain as you explore deeper into subjects.

Meanings of 深

shēn(shen1)
1deep, profound; depth
2deeply
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 深

深Simplified
㴱Traditional
11Strokes
氵Radical
副形词xíngróngcíadj-adverb (adj.-adv.)Part of Speech
#1244Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 深

JasonAmy

Podcast: 深

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 深

Quick Contrast

深 (shēn) vs 浅 (qiǎn) — use 深 for 'deep' or 'profound', while 浅 refers to 'shallow' or 'superficial'.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a deep well (深) – picture lowering a bucket down into its dark, rich water. The depth (深) represents both the physical distance and the profound knowledge you gain as you explore deeper into subjects.

Usage Notes

When using 深, it's important to remember the context; it can describe both physical and metaphorical depth. Common collocations include 深水 (deep water) and 深刻 (profound). Be careful with tone; the first tone (shēn) must be used, as a mispronunciation could lead to confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 深 connects with other level-appropriate vocabulary like 浅 (shallow) and 知识 (knowledge). Focus on using it in both physical and abstract contexts to enhance your fluency.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of depth can extend to relationships and knowledge. For instance, deep conversations are valued in friendships, reflecting the importance of understanding and connection.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 深 with other similar-sounding words. For example, saying '深水' (shēn shuǐ) is correct, but some may incorrectly say '深的水' (shēn de shuǐ), which is unnecessary and awkward in this context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 深

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Etymology of 深

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 罙 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

Deep 罙 water 氵

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 深?

Decomposition of 深

IDS Structure⿰氵罙
深Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
罙mi2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 深?

Write 深

深

Practice writing 深 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 深

深 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

Related grammar lessons6
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

...

这水很深。

zhè shuǐ hěn shēn.

This water is very deep.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

他们之间有着很____的误会。

There is a deep misunderstanding between them.

Common Confusions with 深

深vs沉
chén

Similar phonetic but different meanings and usages.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "deep, profound; depth"?

or

Usage Notes for 深

Mixing Up 深 and 浅Common Error

Learners often confuse 深 (shēn) with 浅 (qiǎn) when discussing depth.

1

这条河很深。

This river is very deep.

2

这条河很浅。

This river is very shallow.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

这条河很____。

This river is very deep.

Example Sentences for 深 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我发现脚下的水只有3英尺深。

wǒ fā xiàn jiǎo xià de shuǐ zhī yǒu3 3 yīng chǐ。

I found myself in water only three feet deep.
2
我已尽力了，但是她母亲贻害颇深。

wǒ yǐ jìn lì le， ， dàn shì tā mǔ qīn yí hài pō。

I did what I could, but her mother's influence was pernicious.
3
她从未放弃过探究我内心深处情感的尝试。

tā cóng wèi fàng qì guò tàn jiū wǒ nèi xīn shēn chǔ qíng gǎn de cháng shì。

She never abandoned her attempts to plumb my innermost emotions.
4
我年轻时被他深深吸引住了。

wǒ nián qīng shí bèi tā shēn shēn xī yǐn zhù le。

I was quite taken with him when I was young.
5
我深信他已从错误中吸取了教训。

wǒ shēn xìn tā yǐ cóng cuò wù zhōng xī qǔ le jiào xùn。

I am convinced that he has learned from his mistakes.
6
当你从内心深处找到一种可以忍受一切痛苦的坚强力量时，你的成长历程就会出现飞跃。

dāng nǐ cóng nèi xīn shēn chǔ zhǎo dào yī zhǒng kě yǐ rěn shòu yī qiē tòng kǔ de jiān qiáng lì liáng shí， ， nǐ de chéng cháng lì chéng jiù huì chū xiàn fēi。

The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.--Max Lerner
7
只有深入其中，你才能真正欣赏教堂的富丽堂皇。

zhī yǒu shēn rù qí zhōng， ， nǐ cái néng zhēn zhèng xīn shǎng jiào táng de fù lì táng。

Only inside do you appreciate the church's true grandeur.
8
你认为自己深受民众喜爱吗？

nǐ rèn wéi zì jǐ shēn shòu mín zhòng xǐ ài ma？

Do you have the sense that you are loved by the public?
9
这种葡萄酒色泽深暗悦目，是中等浓郁至浓香型的。

zhè zhǒng pú táo jiǔ sè zé shēn àn yuè mù， ， shì zhōng děng nóng yù zhì nóng xiāng xíng。

With a nice dark colour, the wine is medium to full bodied.
10
我觉得那些人物形象即使不说是乏味无聊，至少也是毫无深度。

wǒ jué dé nà xiē rén wù xíng xiàng jí shǐ bù shuō shì fá wèi wú liáo， ， zhì shǎo yě shì háo wú shēn。

I found the characters very two-dimensional, not to say dull.

Cultural Notes for 深

💡Did you know?

In Chinese culture, deep colors are often associated with richness and stability. For instance, deep red symbolizes good fortune and joy, while deep blue can represent calmness and serenity.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of depth can extend to relationships and knowledge. For instance, deep conversations are valued in friendships, reflecting the importance of understanding and connection.

Word Family of 深

Words Containing This Character20
深shēndeep
深刻shēnkèprofound
深入shēnrùthorough
深圳Shenzhen subprovincial city in Guangdong, special economic zone close to Hong Kong
深处shēnchùabyss深處
深深shēnshēndeep
深度shēndùdepth
深夜shēnyèvery late at night
深化shēnhuàto deepen
深受shēnshòuto receive in no small measure
资深zīshēnsenior資深
深感to feel deeply
深情shēnqíngdeep emotion
深厚shēnhòudeep
深圳市Shenzhen subprovincial city in Guangdong, special economic zone close to Hong Kong
深渊abyss深淵
加深jiāshēnto deepen
深色dark
深远shēnyuǎnfar-reaching深遠
深陷deep set (eyes)
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 深 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 深

深 (shēn) means 'deep', while 浅 (qiǎn) means 'shallow'. They are often used in contrast to describe the depth of water or other physical spaces, as well as metaphorically to describe understanding or insight.