Definition
沉郁 describes a heavy, low state of mind—like deep depression or gloom—but it's also a key term in Chinese literary criticism, used to characterize a powerful, restrained, and weighty artistic style (most famously in杜甫's poetry: 沉郁顿挫). As a verb-predicate (v.p.), it can form predicate phrases like 心情沉郁 or 风格沉郁.
v.p.
(of mood) deeply depressedgloomy(of literary style or tone) profoundrestrainedand weighty
Examples
- 沉郁，。Tā zuìjìn xīnqíng chén yù, zǒng shì yí ge rén fā dāi.He's been in a gloomy mood lately, always staring off alone.
- 沉郁。Dù Fǔ de shī yǐ chén yù dùn cuò zhùchēng.Du Fu's poetry is famous for its profound and forceful style (chényù dùncuò).
- 沉郁，。Zhè bù diànyǐng de sèdiào chén yù, ràng rén gǎndào yāyì.This film's color palette is gloomy, making people feel oppressed.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.