淪 (lún) - To sink & to fall

淪Tone 2

lún ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

淪 · lún

To sink;

to fall;

to degenerate;

to be reduced to a certain state;

often used to describe decline, degradation, or being reduced to a lower status.

To sinkto fallto degenerate

Usage highlights

Fall intoBe occupiedDegenerate intoSink and disappearFall into declineBe reduced to beggary

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ship sank into the sea (轮船沉沦).
  • The city fell into enemy hands (城市沦陷).
  • He was reduced to poverty (他沦落街头).
  • The discussion degenerated into an argument (讨论沦为争吵).

Collocations

  • Fall into(沦落)
  • Be occupied(沦陷)
  • Degenerate into(沦为)
  • Sink and disappear(沉沦)
  • Fall into decline(沦丧)
  • Be reduced to beggary(沦落为乞丐)

Idioms

  • Sink into depravity and cannot extricate oneself(沉沦不起)
  • National subjugation and genocide(沦胥以亡)
  • Fall into the same category(沦为一谈)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used to describe territory falling to enemy forces during wartime.
  • Often carries negative connotations of decline, degradation, or loss of status.
  • In classical literature, used to express personal or societal downfall.

FAQ