深渊

深淵

shēnyuān

noun #9,769

Meanings

HSK 6

他掉入了绝望的深渊。

Tā diào rù le juéwàng de shēnyuān.

He fell into an abyss of despair.

HSK 7-9

当你凝视深渊时，深渊也在凝视你。

Dāng nǐ níngshì shēnyuān shí, shēnyuān yě zài níngshì nǐ.

When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back at you.

usage

深渊 is most often used figuratively - an abyss of despair, danger, or suffering. Literal use for a physical chasm is rare in modern Chinese.

culture

Nietzsche's famous abyss quote is widely known in China as 凝视深渊 (níngshì shēnyuān), frequently referenced in online culture and gaming.

深 shēn

渊 yuān