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March 24, 2026
沉闷(沉悶)chénmèn(chen2men4)
沉闷 (chénmèn) describes a state of heaviness or oppression, often used to characterize gloomy weather, a dull atmosphere, or a person's mood. It conveys a sense of being weighed down, whether emotionally or physically, and can also refer to sounds that are muted or lack vibrancy.
Strokes14Frequency#13516DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, weather can significantly influence mood and social interactions. A '沉闷' day might lead to less outdoor activity and more indoor gatherings, reflecting the communal aspect of coping with gloomy conditions together.
Memory Tip
Imagine a heavy, dark cloud (沉) hanging low in the sky, muffling the cheerful sounds around you (闷). The image of the cloud symbolizes the oppressive feeling, and the connection of '沉' to 'heavy' and '闷' to 'dull' helps you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.
Meanings of 沉闷
chénmèn(chen2men4)
1oppressive (of weather)
2heavy
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About 沉闷
沉闷Simplified
沉悶Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#13516Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 沉闷
Podcast: 沉闷
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AI Study Notes for 沉闷
Quick Contrast
闷 (mèn) vs 沉重 (chénzhòng) — use 沉闷 for emotional or atmospheric heaviness, while 沉重 emphasizes physical weight.
Usage Notes
沉闷 is often used in informal contexts to describe feelings or weather. Be cautious with tone pronunciation: '沉' (2nd tone) should not be confused with '陈' (2nd tone), which means 'Chen' (a surname). Common collocations include '沉闷的天气' (oppressive weather) and '沉闷的心情' (depressed mood).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 沉闷 connects with other adjectives that describe emotional states or atmospheric conditions. Focus on using it in different contexts, such as discussing weather or personal feelings, to enhance your vocabulary around mood and atmosphere.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 沉闷 with similar-sounding words like 沉重 (chénzhòng), which means 'heavy' in a physical sense. For example, saying '沉闷的书' (oppressive book) instead of '沉重的书' (heavy book) can lead to misunderstanding.
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Pronunciation of 沉闷
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沉闷 (chénmèn) describes a state of heaviness or oppression, often used to characterize gloomy weather, a dull atmosphere, or a person's mood. It conveys a sense of being weighed down, whether emotionally or physically, and can also refer to sounds that are muted or lack vibrancy.
When to use 沉闷
沉闷 is often used in informal contexts to describe feelings or weather. Be cautious with tone pronunciation: '沉' (2nd tone) should not be confused with '陈' (2nd tone), which means 'Chen' (a surname). Common collocations include '沉闷的天气' (oppressive weather) and '沉闷的心情' (depressed mood).
沉闷 or something close to it
闷 (mèn) vs 沉重 (chénzhòng) — use 沉闷 for emotional or atmospheric heaviness, while 沉重 emphasizes physical weight.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 沉闷 with similar-sounding words like 沉重 (chénzhòng), which means 'heavy' in a physical sense. For example, saying '沉闷的书' (oppressive book) instead of '沉重的书' (heavy book) can lead to misunderstanding.
Write 沉闷
沉
闷
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Grammar Patterns of 沉闷
沉闷 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 6 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
在东柏林就餐曾经是一件危险而且____无趣的事情。
Eating in East Berlin used to be a hazardous and joyless experience.
