Chinese word

深浅

Pronunciation

Pinyinshēn qiǎn

Meaning

  • noundepth

Example

你能看出这水的深浅吗？nǐ néng kàn chū zhè shuǐ de shēn qiǎn ma

Can you tell how deep this water is?

Illustration for 深浅 (depth)

More examples

下水前要先判断深浅，确保安全。xià shuǐ qián yào xiān pàn duàn shēn qiǎn què bǎo ān quán

Before entering the water, first determine its depth to ensure safety.

Core concept

The extent to which something reaches below its surface, or how far a matter reaches in meaning or complexity.

Common phrases

  • 水的深浅shuǐ de shēn qiǎn

    water depth

  • 看出深浅kàn chū shēn qiǎn

    determine the depth

  • 判断深浅pàn duàn shēn qiǎn

    determine the depth

Similar words

深度shēn dù: The exact or stated distance from the top surface to the bottom or inside of something.
水深shuǐ shēn: The measured or estimated depth of water from its surface to the bottom.

Definition in Chinese

表示表面到内部的垂直距离，多用于描述水、地形、容器等的深度，也可指事情、感情等的轻重或复杂程度。biǎo shì biǎo miàn dào nèi bù de chuí zhí jù lí duō yòng yú miáo shù shuǐ dì xíng róng qì děng de shēn dù yě kě zhǐ shì qíng gǎn qíng děng de qīng zhòng huò fù zá chéng dù

Word origin

The compound 深 (shēn, "deep") + 浅 (qiǎn, "shallow") names the full contrast between greater and lesser depth, which also supports its abstract uses.

Usage tips

  • For physical settings, a rough estimate and an exact measurement serve different needs: casual conversation accepts the former, while a reported figure removes doubt.

Other meanings

  • water depthnoun

Word lists with this word