Chinese word

深

Pronunciation

Pinyinshēn

Meaning

  • adjectivedeep

Example

这口井很深。zhè kǒu jǐng hěn shēn

This well is very deep.

Illustration for 深 (deep)

More examples

这个问题很深，我们要慢慢分析。zhè ge wèn tí hěn shēn wǒ men yào màn màn fēn xī

This problem is very deep, so we need to analyze it slowly.

Core concept

Extending beyond what is visible or immediate into a lower, more inward, or more developed level.

Common phrases

  • 很深hěn shēn

    very deep

  • 河水很深hé shuǐ hěn shēn

    very deep river water

  • 比想象中还深bǐ xiǎng xiàng zhōng hái shēn

    even deeper than expected

Similar words

浅qiǎn: Reaching only a short way down from the surface.

Definition in Chinese

表示程度较大、达到较深层次，常用于描述感情、理解或影响等非物理的深度。biǎo shì chéng dù jiào dà dá dào jiào shēn céng cì cháng yòng yú miáo shù gǎn qíng lí jiě huò yíng xiǎng děng fēi wù lǐ de shēn dù

Word origin

The character 深 (shēn, "deep") originally described water that reached far below the surface, then developed uses for the depth of feelings, understanding, and effects.

Usage tips

  • A neutral statement about degree commonly uses this adjective after the subject with a degree marker before it, a pattern that keeps the tone matter-of-fact in conversation.

Opposites

Word lists with this word