沉睡 chénshuì to be fast asleep
to be fast asleep; (figuratively) to lie dormant; to lie undiscovered
How to remember 沉睡: 沉 to sink + 睡 sleep = to be fast asleep.
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How it is used
- 'To be fast asleep; to lie dormant' - 沉睡中 (chénshuì zhōng) deep in sleep.
- Figurative: 沉睡的资源 (chénshuì de zīyuán) untapped/dormant resources; 沉睡的火山 a dormant volcano.
- The 'dormant/undiscovered' sense is common in writing.