chénqián

沉潜

Word · Verb · AdjectiveTraditional沈潛

submerge; reserved; concentrate

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 10 examples
1.

verb

to submerge; to lurk underwater; to sink into

Refers to physical submersion in water or deep concealment.

Zhè这
zhǒng种
yú鱼
cháng常
chén沉
qián潜
yú于
shuǐ水
dǐ底
 。

This type of fish often lurks at the bottom of the water.

Qián潜
tǐng艇
xùn迅
sù速
chén沉
qián潜
dào到
shēn深
hǎi海
zhōng中
 。

The submarine quickly submerged into the deep sea.

Show 1 more example
Tā他
xiàng像
yī一
kuài块
shí石
tou头
chén沉
qián潜
zài在
shuǐ水
zhōng中
 。

He sank into the water like a stone.

2.

adjective

deep and reserved; introverted; not showing one's emotions

literary

Describes a person's character or emotional disposition. Literary register.

Tā他
xìng性
gé格
chén沉
qián潜
 ,
chǔ处
nì逆
jìng境
ér而
bù不
něi馁
 。

He is reserved in character and does not lose heart in the face of adversity.

Chén沉
qián潜
jiān坚
rěn忍
 ,
fāng方
néng能
chéng成
jiù就
dà大
shì事
 。

Only with deep reserve and perseverance can one achieve great things.

Show 1 more example
Zhè这
wèi位
xué学
zhě者
wéi为
rén人
chén沉
qián潜
 ,
bù不
shì事
zhāng张
yáng扬
 。

This scholar is reserved in his ways and does not seek publicity.

3.

verb

to concentrate one's spirit; to devote oneself fully; to immerse oneself

Implies deep focus on study, research, or work.

Tā他
chén沉
qián潜
yú于
yán研
jiū究
gōng工
zuò作
zhōng中
 ,
fèi废
qǐn寝
wàng忘
shí食
 。

He was immersed in his research work, forgetting to sleep and eat.

Xué学
zhě者
xū需
yào要
chén沉
qián潜
duō多
nián年
 ,
cái才
néng能
yǒu有
suǒ所
chéng成
jiù就
 。

Scholars need to devote themselves for many years before they can achieve anything.

Show 2 more examples
Zhǐ只
yǒu有
chén沉
qián潜
xià下
lái来
 ,
cái才
néng能
zuò做
chū出
hǎo好
xué学
wen问
 。

Only by settling down to concentrate can one produce good scholarship.

Tā他
chén沉
qián潜
diǎn典
jí籍
 ,
shù数
shí十
nián年
rú如
yī一
rì日
 。

He immersed himself in classical texts for decades on end.