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Expressing sinking with 下沉 (xiàchén)
Actions & Events
Direction & Movement
Structure
Subject + 下沉
Explanation
The verb 下沉 (xiàchén) means "to sink" or "to subside," describing a downward sinking motion. It is commonly used to describe land subsidence, sinking structures, or objects going underwater. It combines the directional 下 (down) with 沉 (to sink) to emphasize the downward movement.
Examples
由于地下水过度开采，地面正在下沉。
yóuyú dìxiàshuǐ guòdù kāicǎi, dìmiàn zhèngzài xiàchén.
Due to excessive extraction of groundwater, the ground is sinking.
那艘船慢慢下沉，最终消失在海面以下。
nà sōu chuán mànmàn xiàchén, zuìzhōng xiāoshī zài hǎimiàn yǐxià.
The ship slowly sank and eventually disappeared below the surface of the sea.
这栋老房子的地基已经开始下沉了。
zhè dòng lǎo fángzi de dìjī yǐjīng kāishǐ xiàchén le.
The foundation of this old house has already started to sink.