陥 (xiàn) - To fall into, sink, trap & to be caught in a predicament

陥Tone 4

xiàn ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

陥 · xiàn

To fall into, sink, trap;

to be caught in a predicament;

to subside or cave in.

To fall into, sink, trapto be caught in a predicamentto subside or cave in.

Usage highlights

fall intotrapsubsidencedefectpitfallsinkhole

Synonyms

  • 陷落— to fall, to subside
  • 陷入— to fall into, to be caught in

Antonyms

  • 升— to rise, to ascend
  • 浮— to float, to emerge

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The car got stuck in the mud (陷入泥泞).
  • He fell into a trap (陷入陷阱).
  • The ground subsided after the earthquake (地面陷落).
  • She was caught in a dilemma (陷入两难).

Collocations

  • fall into(陷入)
  • trap(陷阱)
  • subsidence(陷落)
  • defect(缺陷)
  • pitfall(陷坑)
  • sinkhole(陷穴)

Idioms

  • Fall into a trap and be unable to extricate oneself(陷入困境)
  • A trap set by heaven and earth(天罗地网陷阱)
  • To frame someone with a false charge(诬陷陷害)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character often carries negative connotations of danger, misfortune, or being ensnared.
  • In military strategy, it refers to ambushes and traps set for enemies.
  • Used metaphorically in moral contexts to describe being led astray or corrupted.

FAQ