沉重 (chén zhòng) is an adjective meaning 'heavy' in both physical and figurative senses. Literally, 沉 means 'to sink' or 'heavy in weight', and 重 means 'weighty' or 'serious' — together they intensify the sense of heaviness, often implying difficulty, burden, or emotional gravity. Unlike simple physical weight (e.g., 重 zhòng alone), 沉重 carries connotations of oppression, seriousness, or emotional strain.

This word frequently describes abstract burdens: a heavy heart, oppressive silence, serious consequences, or overwhelming grief. It’s common in formal writing and speech — news reports, literature, and psychological contexts — but rarely used for everyday objects unless emphasizing emotional weight (e.g., 'a heavy silence'). It does not function as a noun or verb; it always modifies nouns or predicates adjectivally, often with 的 when preceding a noun (e.g., 沉重的压力). It’s never used for light, neutral, or positive weight.