Definitions

chén (verb) to sink; submerge
shěn (verb) to pour liquid

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "沈" derives from the idea of sinking in water, constructed from the water radical (氵) paired with the component "冘" which historically functioned as a phonetic indicator. Its core meaning shifted from specific ritual submersion to the general act of sinking, and it later developed extended senses including "deep" or "profound", alongside its use as a surname. For connotations related to "liquid" or "juice", as in the place name Shenyang, the traditional form "瀋" was utilized, built from the water radical with "審" providing phonetic value; this traditional character is rendered as "沈" in the simplified system, consolidating these distinct historical meanings under a single graphical form.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的朋友姓

Wǒ de péngyou xìng Shěn.

My friend's surname is Shen.

先生是医生。

Shěn xiānsheng shì yīshēng.

Mr. Shen is a doctor.

阳的冬天很冷。

Shěnyáng de dōngtiān hěn lěng.

The winter in Shenyang is very cold.

阿姨做菜很好吃。

Shěn āyí zuò cài hěn hǎochī.

Auntie Shen cooks very delicious food.

经理负责这个项目。

Shěn jīnglǐ fùzé zhège xiàngmù.

Manager Shen is in charge of this project.

工程师解决了技术难题。

Shěn gōngchéngshī jiějué le jìshù nántí.

Engineer Shen solved the technical problem.

同学在比赛中获得冠军。

Shěn tóngxué zài bǐsài zhōng huòdé guànjūn.

Classmate Shen won the championship in the competition.

作家的作品深受读者喜爱。

Shěn zuòjiā de zuòpǐn shēn shòu dúzhě xǐ'ài.

The works of Author Shen are deeply loved by readers.