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沉淀 (chén diàn) — (verb) to settle, to precipitate (of solid particles in a liquid); (noun) sediment, precipitate; (verb, figurative) to accumulate (experience, knowledge, emotions) over time; to settle (emotionally)

Definition

Used for solid particles settling in liquid, the sediment left behind, and (figuratively) experience or emotions building up over time. Unlike 解决 or 了结, which end a problem, 沉淀 is about something gradually forming or sinking, not being resolved.

verb
to settleto precipitate (of solid particles in a liquid)(verb, figurative) to accumulate (experience, knowledge, emotions) over timeto settle (emotionally)
noun
sedimentprecipitate

Examples

  • 沉淀。
    Shuǐ lǐ de zá zhì màn màn chén diàn xià lái.
    The impurities in the water slowly settle down.
  • 沉淀。
    Hé dǐ de chén diàn hěn hòu.
    The sediment at the bottom of the river is very thick.
  • 沉淀。
    Duō nián de jīng yàn chén diàn chéng le zhì huì.
    Years of experience have accumulated into wisdom.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

沉chénsink
淀diànsettle

沉 means sink and 淀 means settle, so together they describe settling or sediment.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 沉 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
定
定dìng淀diàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

淀 pairs 水 (water) with 定, which gives its sound.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6

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