沈: the kanji for sink
沈 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means sink. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
沈 is written in 7 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
沈 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
チン (chin)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 沈黙ちんもく · chinmoku | silence |
| 沈没ちんぼつ · chinbotsu | sinking (of a ship) |
しずむ (shizumu)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 沈むしずむ · shizumu | to sink; to set (sun) |
しずめる (shizumeru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 沈めるしずめる · shizumeru | to sink; to lower into |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 夕日が海に沈んでいく。Yūhi ga umi ni shizunde iku.The evening sun is sinking into the sea.
- 会議室に長い沈黙が続いた。Kaigishitsu ni nagai chinmoku ga tsuzuita.A long silence filled the meeting room.
- 嵐で船が沈没した。Arashi de fune ga chinbotsu shita.The ship sank in the storm.
- 試験に落ちて、気分が沈んでいる。Shiken ni ochite, kibun ga shizunde iru.I failed the exam and I'm feeling down.
- 体をお湯に沈めてゆっくり休んだ。Karada o oyu ni shizumete yukkuri yasunda.I sank into the hot bath and relaxed.
Questions about 沈
How many strokes does 沈 have?
沈 is written in 7 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 沈?
The on readings are chin (チン). The kun readings are shizumu (しずむ), shizumeru (しずめる).
What JLPT level is 沈?
N2. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N2 is designed to match the former Level 2.
More JLPT N2 kanji
Movement and actions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 沈
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.