shallow, superficial, frivolous, wretched, shameful
浅 centers on lack of depth: physically shallow water, or metaphorically superficial, frivolous, or lacking substance. The wretched and shameful senses are strong negative extensions of shallowness, implying something low or contemptible.
浅 combines 氵 (water) with 戋, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of smallness or shallowness. The exact historical development of 戋 is uncertain, but the water radical clearly points to shallow water.
Water 氵 that is barely there, like a thin stream, is shallow. The right side 戋 looks like two small spears, suggesting something slight or superficial.
For セン, imagine a shallow stream where you can see a hundred (百, ひゃく) small coins (銭, せん) scattered on the bottom: 銭 -> セン, and the water is so shallow the coins are visible.
shallow; superficial
Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum); Japanese littleneck clam
shoal; shallows; sand bar; ford
shallow; superficial; thoughtless; short-sighted; foolish; silly
shallow view; superficial idea
Asakusa Line
pale blue-green
chive (Allium schoenoprasum); chives
crude wood (i.e. with many knots)
dark (skin, complexion, etc.); swarthy; tanned
wretched; miserable; shameful; mean; despicable; abject
shallow; superficial
shallow sea
shoal; wide shallow beach
lightly pickled vegetables
nine shallow, one deep (ancient Chinese sexual technique)
it hasn't been long since
it hasn't been long since
early-spring; not yet springlike; before spring has truly arrived
light light blue; pale blue