Chinese language can often confound learners with its variety of characters that appear similar yet have different meanings and usages. One such pair is 沉 and 沈, both pronounced as “chén”. In this article, we will delve into these characters’ meanings, grammatical structures, and provide illustrative example sentences, ensuring a comprehensive understanding.
What Does 沉/沈 (chén) Mean?
Both characters, 沉 and 沈, have meanings related to the concept of being submerged or weighed down. However, subtle differences exist:
沉 (chén)
沉 primarily means “to sink” or “to submerge.” It can also convey a sense of heaviness or deepness when used metaphorically, such as emotions.
沈 (chén)
沈, although similar, is often used in literary contexts or in specific phrases. It can indicate to descend or settle down but is less commonly used in everyday language than 沉.
In summary, while both characters can be translated to “sink,” 沉 is more widely used in everyday contexts, and 沈 tends to appear in more formal or literary situations.
Grammatical Structure of 沉/沈
The grammatical structure around the characters 沉 and 沈 is relatively straightforward but can exhibit complexity in different contexts.
1. Usage as Verbs
Both characters can act as verbs. For example:
- 沉船 (chén chuán) – “The ship sank.”
- 沈淀 (chén diàn) – “To settle down (as in sediment).”
2. Usage as Adjectives
They can also function as adjectives to describe a state of being:
- 沉重 (chén zhòng) – “Heavy” or “Weighty.”
- 沈静 (shěn jìng) – “Calm” or “Quiet.”
3. Presence in Idioms
Both characters appear in idiomatic phrases which further enrich their usage:
- 沉默 (chén mò) – “Silence.”
- 沈吟 (shěn yín) – “To ponder quietly.”
Example Sentences Using 沉/沈
To understand the application of these characters better, let’s explore some example sentences:
Using 沉 (chén)
- 这条船昨晚沉了。 (Zhè tiáo chuán zuó wǎn chén le.) – “This ship sank last night.”
- 她心里沉沉的,感到非常难过。 (Tā xīn lǐ chén chén de, gǎndào fēicháng nán guò.) – “Her heart felt heavy, and she was very sad.”
Using 沈 (chén)
- 在这个地方,许多文物沈淀在泥土中。 (Zài zhège dìfāng, xǔduō wénwù chén diàn zài nítǔ zhōng.) – “In this place, many cultural relics settled in the soil.”
- 他的声音沈静而有力。 (Tā de shēngyīn shěn jìng ér yǒu lì.) – “His voice is calm and powerful.”
Conclusion
In our exploration of 沉 and 沈 (chén), we have uncovered their meanings, grammatical roles, and plenty of example sentences to illustrate their usage. These characters not only offer insight into the Chinese language but also reflect cultural nuances. Mastering their use can undoubtedly enrich your understanding of Chinese and enhance your communication skills.

Sứ mệnh của Chuyên là giúp đỡ và truyền cảm hứng cho các bạn trẻ Việt Nam sang Đài Loan học tập, sinh sống và làm việc. Là cầu nối để lan tỏa giá trị tinh hoa nguồn nhân lực Việt Nam đến với Đài Loan và trên toàn cầu.
CÓ THỂ BẠN QUAN TÂM
Du học Đài Loan
Lao Động Đài Loan
Việc Làm Đài Loan
Đơn Hàng Đài Loan
Visa Đài Loan
Du Lịch Đài Loan
Tiếng Đài Loan
KẾT NỐI VỚI CHUYÊN
Zalo: https://zalo.me/0936126566
Website: www.dailoan.vn