沈む

• Reading: しずむ
• Romaji: shizumu
• Kanji breakdown: 沈 (chin/shizu) — to sink, submerge
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.zɯ.mɯ/

Meaning

To sink; to go down. Also means to feel depressed or gloomy.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the む row. Has both physical and emotional meanings: physically sinking (船が沈む — a ship sinks) and emotionally feeling low (気持ちが沈む — spirits sink). The transitive counterpart is 沈める (to sink something). Common in literature and daily conversation.

Examples

1. 太陽が海に沈む景色がとても美しかった。 The scenery of the sun sinking into the ocean was absolutely beautiful.
2. 試験に落ちて気持ちが沈んでいる。 I'm feeling down after failing the exam.
3. 重い石を池に投げたら、すぐに沈んだ。 When I threw the heavy rock into the pond, it sank right away.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, emotions, daily life

Tone: melancholic

Origin & History

Native Japanese verb with the kanji 沈 (chin/shizu) representing submersion. The water radical (氵) reflects the original meaning of going beneath water.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal