- 死气沉沉 sǐqìchénchén lifelessspiritless and stagnant; lacking energy or vitality; used to describe a dull atmosphere or a depressed state of mind
- 昏昏沉沉 hūnhūnchénchén dazeddazed; drowsy; groggy; in a state of semi-consciousness or a dazed stupor (as if in a dream or heavy sleep)
- 阴沉沉 yīnchénchén gloomydescribing weather or atmosphere as very dark, heavily cloudy, and overcast
- 黑沉沉 hēichénchén pitch-blackpitch-black; very dark and gloomy, usually describing the sky or a surroundings
- 暮气沉沉 mùqìchénchén lethargiclethargic and lifeless; lacking in spirit and drive; describing a state of mind that is depressed and stagnant
- 灰沉沉 huīchénchén gloomygloomy or leaden, usually describing the color of the sky
- 阴阴沉沉 yīnyīnchénchén gloomygloomy; dusky; dreary
- 雾沉沉 wùchénchén foggythickly foggy; heavy with mist or fog
- 闷沉沉 mēnchénchén oppressiveheavy and oppressive (of weather or atmosphere)
- 郁沉沉 yùchénchén depresseddespondent; low-spirited; feeling heavy or gloomy
- 重沉沉 zhòngchénchén heavyvery heavy; weighing down heavily
- 鱼雁沉沉 yúyànchénchén to have lost contactto be out of touch for a long time; lack of news or communication between people