深厚

• Pinyin: shēn hòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 深 = 氵(water) + components — deep; 厚 = 厂 (cliff) + 日 (sun) + 子 (child) — thick, substantial

Meaning

Deep; profound; solid. Describes feelings, relationships, or foundations that are strong and well-established.

Used for abstract depth — 感情深厚 (deep feelings), 友谊深厚 (profound friendship), 基础深厚 (solid foundation), 功底深厚 (strong grounding). Not for physical depth. Conveys richness built over time.

Examples

1. 他们之间的友谊非常深厚。 The friendship between them is very deep.
2. 这座城市有着深厚的文化底蕴。 This city has a profound cultural heritage.
3. 多年的合作让两家公司建立了深厚的关系。 Years of cooperation have built a deep relationship between the two companies.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, culture, evaluation

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 我们的友谊很深厚。(Our friendship is very deep.)
• 他在中国文学方面有很深厚的功底。(He has a very solid grounding in Chinese literature.)

Don't Say

• 这条河很深厚 meaning 'this river is very deep' (深厚 is for abstract qualities — for physical depth, use 深 alone)

Origin & History

Compound of 深 (deep) and 厚 (thick, substantial) — doubly emphasising depth and substance.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal