沉 Stroke Order — How to Write 沉
沉 is written in 7 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 氵, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
沉 Radical and Character Components
沉 is an ideographic compound. An excessive 冗 amount of water 氵.
Radical: 氵 + 4 more strokes
沉 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- chén
Meanings of 沉 in Chinese
1
chén沉
To sink, submerge, or immerse into water or another liquid, often implying a descent or disappearance.
夕阳西下，余晖沉入江水，波光粼粼
As the sun set, its afterglow sank into the river, creating shimmering ripples.
To sink, to subside, or to be submerged into a lower position or state.
大雨过后，部分路面开始沉陷
After the heavy rain, parts of the road surface began to subside.
Heavy; weighing a lot.
这个箱子太沉了，我们一起抬吧
This box is too heavy; let's lift it together.
calm, composed, steady; not frivolous; resolute
面对突发情况，他表现得非常沉着冷静
Faced with sudden situations, he remained very calm and composed.
Deep; profound; long-lasting; intense (referring to thoughts, feelings, or states).
他沉思了很久，才决定下一步怎么做。
He pondered for a long time before deciding what to do next.
Common Words and Phrases with 沉
1
Cannot remain calm or lose one's composure, becoming agitated easily.
他是个急性子，遇到一点小事就沉不住气
He is an impatient person and easily loses his composure over minor issues.
2
Describes something as heavy, deep, or low-hanging, often used for physical weight (e.g., heavy ears of grain), a deep state (e.g., deep sleep), or dense/low-hanging atmosphere (e.g., heavy mist).
夜色沉沉，万籁俱寂，只有风吹过树梢的声音。
The night was deep and quiet, with only the sound of wind rustling through the treetops.
3
To precipitate, meaning to separate as a solid from a solution; the resulting solid material (precipitate or sediment).
水中的杂质经过处理后，会沉淀到底部。
After treatment, the impurities in the water will precipitate to the bottom.
4
heavy; weighing heavily (often implying a sagging or cumbersome feeling due to weight)
雨后的枝头，果实沉甸甸地垂了下来。
After the rain, the fruits on the branches hung down heavily.
5
ups and downs
人生总有起起落落，谁也无法预测未来的沉浮。
Life always has its ups and downs, and no one can predict the future's vicissitudes.
6
severe and lingering illness or deeply ingrained bad habits
这种沉痼已经困扰他多年，使得他身心俱疲
This chronic illness has plagued him for many years, leaving him physically and mentally exhausted.
7
The process where solid materials (like rocks, sand, and mud) settle out of water and accumulate to form deposits or sediments.
这条河流在下游形成了大量的泥沙沉积物
This river has formed a large amount of silt and sand deposits in its lower reaches.
8
Quiet, still, or silent; a state of no news or activity.
暴风雨过后，村庄陷入一片沉寂。
After the storm, the village fell into a profound silence.
9
To immerse oneself deeply in something; to be fully absorbed or steeped in it.
她沉浸在书本的世界里，完全忘记了周围的一切。
She was deeply immersed in the world of books, completely forgetting everything around her.
10
quiet, calm, and serene
傍晚时分，湖面沉静，只有微风轻抚水面。
In the evening, the lake surface was calm, with only a gentle breeze caressing the water.
11
severe and lingering disease
经过多年的悉心治疗，他终于摆脱了困扰已久的沉疴，重获健康。
After years of meticulous treatment, he finally overcame the chronic illness that had troubled him for so long and regained his health.
12
loud and deep thunder
傍晚时分，远方传来阵阵沉雷，预示着一场暴雨即将来临。
In the evening, rumbles of distant thunder echoed, foretelling an approaching downpour.
13
To degenerate; to sink into a state of depravity or misery.
他因为沉迷于游戏而逐渐沉沦，荒废了学业和前途。
He gradually sank into degradation due to his addiction to gaming, neglecting his studies and future.
14
To sink or be submerged, often into water.
那艘旧船在暴风雨中逐渐沉没，最终消失在海平面以下。
The old ship gradually sank during the storm, eventually disappearing below the surface of the sea.
15
depressing, dull, or silent and withdrawn
长时间的阴雨天气让整个城市都显得有些沉闷。
The prolonged rainy weather made the entire city feel a bit gloomy.
More words with 沉
- fú浮chén沉Ups and downs, Vicissitudes
- hūn昏chén沉Drowsy, muddled, or dim and murky.
- shēng升chén沉rise and fall
- xī西chén沉to set (of the sun)
- xiāo消chén沉depressed, dejected
- yīn阴chén沉Gloomy; overcast; sullen; sombre.
- zhuàng撞chén沉To run down and sink (a vessel).
- lù陆chén沉Submergence of land, Sinking of land
- xuè血chén沉Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, ESR
- dī低chén沉deep, low
- hēi黑chén沉chén沉very dark; pitch-dark
- shēn深chén沉deep, profound
- ěr耳chén沉ear fullness, heavy sensation in the ear
- sǐ死chén沉Extremely heavy, Dead weight
- chén沉mí迷addicted, engrossed
- chén沉sī思Contemplation, Meditation
- chén沉zhòng重heavy, grave
- wū乌chén沉chén沉dark; gloomy; overcast
- àn暗chén沉chén沉dark and gloomy; dim and dull
- chén沉mò默silence, reticence
Idioms with 沉
- chén沉chén沉wěn稳wěn稳Steady, composed, and unhurried
- chén沉kē疴sù宿jí疾chronic and severe illness
- chén沉mò默bù不yǔ语remain silent and say nothing
- chén沉mò默guǎ寡yán言silent and reticent
- chén沉shēng声jìng静qì气speaking in a low, calm voice
- chén沉sī思shú熟lǜ虑to ponder deeply and consider carefully
- chén沉yín吟bù不jué决Ponder deeply, hesitate, unable to decide
- chén沉yú鱼luò落yàn雁breathtakingly beautiful woman
- chén沉yuān冤mò莫bái白deep injustice remains unredressed
- fú浮guā瓜chén沉lǐ李enjoying cool food and drinks in summer
- hūn昏hūn昏chén沉chén沉drowsy and muddled
- jī积yǔ羽chén沉zhōu舟Accumulated small faults lead to ruin
Questions about 沉
- What does 沉 mean in Chinese?
- 沉 (chén) means “To sink” in Chinese.
- How do you pronounce 沉?
- 沉 is pronounced chén in Mandarin Chinese.
- How many strokes does 沉 have?
- 沉 has 7 strokes.
- How do you write 沉?
- 沉 is written in 7 strokes, starting from the radical 氵. See the animated stroke order on this page.
- What is the radical of 沉?
- The radical of 沉 is 氵, and 沉 is an ideographic compound.