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深沉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
深沉shēnchéndeepHSK 7, a, 18 strokes, rank #16000, Very Hard
深沉shēnchénprofoundHSK 7, a, 18 strokes, rank #16000, Very Hard
深沉shēnchén(of a person) reservedHSK 7, a, 18 strokes, rank #16000, Very Hard
深沉shēnchénundemonstrativeHSK 7, a, 18 strokes, rank #16000, Very Hard
深沉shēnchén(of a voice, sound etc) deepHSK 7, a, 18 strokes, rank #16000, Very Hard
深沉shēnchénlow-pitchedHSK 7, a, 18 strokes, rank #16000, Very Hard
shēnchén(shen1chen2)shen chen T1
  1. 1deep
  2. 2profound
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March 24, 2026

深沉shēnchén(shen1chen2)

深沉 (shēnchén) describes something that is deep or profound, both in a literal and figurative sense. It can refer to physical depth, such as a voice or sound, or metaphorical depth, such as a person's thoughts or emotions, often implying a reserved or undemonstrative nature.

Strokes18Frequency#16000DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

深沉 is often associated with traditional Chinese values of modesty and introspection, reflecting a cultural appreciation for depth in character and thought.

Memory tip

Imagine a deep well (深) that echoes with a low, profound sound (沉). Visualize someone standing quietly by the well, reflecting deeply, embodying the reserved nature of 深沉.

Meanings of 深沉

shēnchén(shen1chen2)
1deep
2profound
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 深沉

深沉Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#16000Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 深沉

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Podcast: 深沉

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AI study notes for 深沉

Quick Contrast

沉稳 (chénwěn) vs 深沉 (shēnchén): use 深沉 when emphasizing emotional or intellectual depth, while 沉稳 focuses on steadiness and calmness.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 深沉 with 浅显 (qiǎnxiǎn), which means superficial or shallow. 深沉 is more formal and often used in literary contexts, while colloquial expressions may favor simpler terms like 深.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 深沉 connects with other advanced vocabulary that describes emotional or tonal qualities. Focus on using it in contexts that require nuance, such as literature analysis or deep conversations.

Common Mistakes

Learners might incorrectly use 深沉 to describe a cheerful or outgoing person, which would be a misunderstanding of its reserved connotation. Instead, use it for someone who is reflective and less expressive.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 深沉

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Component characters

深shēndeep, profound; depth
HSK 411 strokes氵
View full entry
沉chénto submerge
HSK 57 strokes氵
View full entry

How to say deep in Chinese

“deep” in Chinese is深沉shēnchén

深沉 (shēnchén) describes something that is deep or profound, both in a literal and figurative sense. It can refer to physical depth, such as a voice or sound, or metaphorical depth, such as a person's thoughts or emotions, often implying a reserved or undemonstrative nature.

When to use 深沉

Common mistakes include confusing 深沉 with 浅显 (qiǎnxiǎn), which means superficial or shallow. 深沉 is more formal and often used in literary contexts, while colloquial expressions may favor simpler terms like 深.

深沉 or something close to it

沉稳 (chénwěn) vs 深沉 (shēnchén): use 深沉 when emphasizing emotional or intellectual depth, while 沉稳 focuses on steadiness and calmness.

What learners get wrong

Learners might incorrectly use 深沉 to describe a cheerful or outgoing person, which would be a misunderstanding of its reserved connotation. Instead, use it for someone who is reflective and less expressive.

Write 深沉

深
沉

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

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Grammar patterns of 深沉

深沉 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

那张毫无表情的脸看上去____而又神秘。

That expressionless face had seemed deep and mysterious.

Example sentences for 深沉 (5)

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1
那张毫无表情的脸看上去深沉而又神秘。

nà zhāng háowú biǎoqíng de liǎn kànshangqu shēnchén ér yòu shénmì。

That expressionless face had seemed deep and mysterious.
2
美乐皇轩红酒色深沉而通透,酒香醇厚而丰富,于甜平衡而调和,实在是佐肴之佳酿.

měi lè huáng xuān hóngjiǔ sè shēnchén ér tōng tòu, jiǔ xiāng chúnhòu ér fēngfù, yú tián pínghéng ér tiáohé, shízài shì zuǒ yáo zhī jiā niàng.

It attains maturity quickly but continues to age well over time.
3
厄香拉深沉而又热烈地爱着伯金, 可她使不上劲.

è xiāng lā shēnchén ér yòu rèliè dì ài zhe bà jīn, kě tā shǐ bù shàng jìn.

Vrsula was deeply and passionately in love with Birkin, and she was capable of nothing.
4
这个矮老头的深沉感情使她大吃一惊.

zhège ǎi lǎo tóu de shēnchén gǎnqíng shǐ tā dàchīyìjīng.

The little man's depth of feeling had startled her.
5
青年牧师的话音时断时续,听起来甜美 、 丰润而深沉, 实在撼人心肺.

qīngnián mù Shī dehuà yīn shí duàn shí xù, tīng qǐlái tiánměi、 fēng rùn ér shēnchén, shízài hàn rén xīnfèi.

The young pastor's voice was tremulously sweet , rich, deep, and broken.

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Frequently asked questions about 深沉

No, 深沉 typically describes someone who is reserved and undemonstrative, not talkative.

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