Definition
沉思 (chén sī) describes a state of deep, absorbed contemplation, often with a quiet, meditative quality — you are 'lost in thought'. It differs from 思考 (sī kǎo), which is more active, deliberate thinking or problem-solving, and from 深思 (shēn sī), which emphasizes the depth of thought but is less about the absorbed state. 沉思 can also function as a noun (contemplation).
verb
to contemplateto pondercontemplationmeditation
Examples
- 沉思。Tā dúzì zài fángjiān lǐ chén sī.He was alone in his room, lost in contemplation.
- 沉思。Zhège wèntí xūyào chén sī yíxià cáinéng huídá.This question needs a moment of contemplation before it can be answered.
- 沉思，。Jīngguò cháng shíjiān de chén sī, tā zhōngyú zuò chū le juédìng.After a long period of contemplation, he finally made a decision.
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