Meanings of 淹没
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Podcast: 淹没
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AI Study Notes for 淹没
淹没 (yānmò) vs 淹死 (yān sǐ): use 淹没 for submerging or overwhelming in a broader sense, while 淹死 specifically refers to drowning.
Learners often confuse 淹没 with similar verbs like 沉 (chén) which also means to sink but lacks the connotation of flooding or overwhelming. It is generally used in formal contexts, especially when discussing natural phenomena or significant emotional experiences.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 淹没 connects with other verbs describing actions and states, like 沉淀 (chén diàn - to precipitate) and 灌溉 (guàn gài - to irrigate). Focus on using it in sentences that describe both literal and metaphorical submergence.
Many learners mistakenly use 淹没 when they mean to say 'to sink' (沉). For instance, saying '我淹没了我的书' (I submerged my book) is incorrect; it should be '我把书沉了' (I sank my book).
Pronunciation of 淹没
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Component Characters
How to say to submerge in Chinese
“to submerge” in Chinese is淹没
淹没 (yān mò) refers to the act of submerging something completely underwater or overwhelming it to the point of being unrecognizable. Commonly used in contexts involving natural disasters like floods, it can also have figurative meanings, such as being overwhelmed by emotions or responsibilities.
When to use 淹没
Learners often confuse 淹没 with similar verbs like 沉 (chén) which also means to sink but lacks the connotation of flooding or overwhelming. It is generally used in formal contexts, especially when discussing natural phenomena or significant emotional experiences.
淹没 or something close to it
淹没 (yānmò) vs 淹死 (yān sǐ): use 淹没 for submerging or overwhelming in a broader sense, while 淹死 specifically refers to drowning.
What learners get wrong
Many learners mistakenly use 淹没 when they mean to say 'to sink' (沉). For instance, saying '我淹没了我的书' (I submerged my book) is incorrect; it should be '我把书沉了' (I sank my book).
Write 淹没
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Practice writing 淹没 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 淹没
淹没 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 4 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.
上班时，他____在枯燥乏味的会海中。
At work, he was chained to a system of boring meetings.
Example Sentences for 淹没 (8)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 淹没
Yes, it can describe being overwhelmed by emotions, such as feeling 'drowned' in stress.
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