沉 (chén) - to sink & to submerge

沉Tone 2

chén ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 氵

嫦晨

沉 · chén

to sink;

to submerge;

heavy;

deep;

profound;

to lower;

to keep down;

calm;

settled

to sinkto submergeheavy

Usage highlights

sinkheavydeep thoughtcalmsedimentsunk cost

Synonyms

  • 没— to submerge; to disappear
  • 降— to descend; to lower
  • 重— heavy; weighty
  • 深— deep; profound

Antonyms

  • 浮— to float; superficial
  • 轻— light; unimportant
  • 升— to rise; to ascend

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ship sank to the bottom of the sea (船沉入海底).
  • He was lost in deep thought (他陷入沉思).
  • The stone is heavy and will sink (石头很沉会下沉).
  • Keep calm and don't panic (沉着冷静不要惊慌).

Collocations

  • sink(沉没)
  • heavy(沉重)
  • deep thought(沉思)
  • calm(沉着)
  • sediment(沉淀)
  • sunk cost(沉没成本)

Idioms

  • Broken boats and sunk axes(破釜沉舟)
  • Sink fish and drop wild geese(沉鱼落雁)
  • Silent as a sunken bell(沉默如钟)
  • Sink into depravity(沉沦堕落)
  • Keep calm and composed(沉着冷静)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted sinking in water, evolving to represent depth, weight, and stability.
  • In Chinese philosophy, 'sinking' can represent grounding, stability, and profound depth of character.
  • Used in positive contexts for calmness and composure (沉着), and negative contexts for depression or sinking into bad habits.

FAQ