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道Nihongo Path
沈

沈·sink

On-yomi
チン
Kun-yomi
しず(む)しず(める)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

7 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
沈むしずむto sink; to feel down
沈黙ちんもくsilence
沈没ちんぼつsinking (of a ship)
沈着ちんちゃくcomposed, level-headed

Example sentences

  1. 夕日が海に沈んでいく。

    ゆうひがうみにしずんでいく。

    The evening sun is sinking into the sea.

  2. その一言のあと、会議は長い沈黙に包まれた。

    そのひとことのあと、かいぎはながいちんもくにつつまれた。

    After that remark the meeting fell into a long silence.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 沈没 as ちんぼう — it is ちんぼつ
  • 気分が沈む means to feel low — 沈む is used of moods as well as objects

Memory aid

Picture it

氵 (water) with something heavy tipping over into it: down it goes, and it stays down.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 沈 mean?