消沉

xiāochén

adjective HSK 7-9 #9,488

Meanings

1 dejected; depressed; downcast
2 low-spirited; dispirited

Characters

to vanish; to disappear; to diminish

to sink; heavy; deep

Diminish + sink — spirits sinking away.

Examples

他失业后变得很消沉。

Tā shīyè hòu biàn de hěn xiāochén.

He became very dejected after losing his job.

别那么消沉，事情会好起来的。

Bié nàme xiāochén, shìqing huì hǎo qǐlái de.

Don't be so down — things will get better.

她的声音听起来很消沉。

Tā de shēngyīn tīngqǐlái hěn xiāochén.

Her voice sounds very low-spirited.

Tips

usage

消沉 describes a sustained emotional low, not a brief moment of sadness. It implies someone has withdrawn and lost their drive. Compare with 沮丧 (jǔsàng), which is more about acute frustration or disappointment.

Stroke Order

消 xiāo

沉 chén