sink

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 沈 has 7 strokes and describes sinking downward or a low mood.
• Basic usage: 沈む is read しずむ, and 沈める is read しずめる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• What sinks and causing it to sink
  • In 石が湖の底へ沈んだ, the stone sinks.
  • 錨を海へ沈めた describes lowering an anchor into the sea, marking the anchor with を.
• Mood and atmosphere
  • 気持ちが沈んでいた means the person was feeling down.
  • 部屋の空気を沈めた means dampening the mood in the room.