221
沈
Sink, Submerge
しず.む, しず.める
JLPT N2
Interesting Fact
The word 沈黙 (chinmoku), meaning 'silence,' is common in Japanese. Just as an object sinks beneath the water, a conversation can 'sink' into complete silence.
Memory Trick
Imagine a small boat slowly sinking beneath the surface of a lake until it disappears. That image helps you remember 沈 means 'to sink.'
Readings
Onyomi: チン (chin)
Kunyomi: しず.む, しず.める
Example Words
沈む
しずむ (shizumu)
To sink
沈める
しずめる (shizumeru)
To sink (something)
沈黙
ちんもく (chinmoku)
Silence
沈没
ちんぼつ (chinbotsu)
Sinking, Shipwreck
Example Sentence
船 が 海 に 沈みました。
ふね が うみ に しずみました。
fune ga umi ni shizumimashita
The ship sank into the sea.