沈 — “Sink / Be Submerged / Subside / Be Depressed” in Japanese

Master (高手)ちん, じん, しず

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“Sink / Be Submerged / Subside / Be Depressed” in Japanese is 沈, read chin, jin, shizu (ちん, じん, しず). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 沈没 (sinking).

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What does 沈 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	沈
Meaning	Sink / Be Submerged / Subside / Be Depressed
Readings	ちん, じん, しず
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	沈没 (sinking)

How to read 沈

沈 is read chin (ちん) or jin (じん) or shizu (しず) depending on the word.

Words with 沈

沈没
沈黙

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Kanji read the same way as 沈

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Updated: 2026-08-28