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陷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
陷xiànpitfallHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 阝, rank #4564, Hard
陷xiàntrapHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 阝, rank #4564, Hard
陷xiànto get stuckHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 阝, rank #4564, Hard
陷xiànto sinkHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 阝, rank #4564, Hard
陷xiànto cave inHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 阝, rank #4564, Hard
陷xiànto frame (false charge)HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 阝, rank #4564, Hard
陷xiànto capture (a city in battle)HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 阝, rank #4564, Hard
陷xiànto fall (to the enemy)HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 阝, rank #4564, Hard
陷xiàndefectHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 阝, rank #4564, Hard
陷xiànto sink, to plunge; trap, pitfallHSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 阝, rank #4564, Hard
xiàn(xian4) T4
  1. 1pitfall
  2. 2trap
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

陷xiàn(xian4)

The character 陷 (xiàn) primarily means to fall into a pit or trap, both literally and metaphorically. It can be used to describe situations where someone is caught in a difficult circumstance or deceived, and it is commonly used in expressions regarding pitfalls or traps in life, such as financial or emotional traps.

Strokes10Radical阝Frequency#4564DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of falling into traps is often linked to moral lessons and cautionary tales. It reflects the importance of being vigilant and wise to avoid pitfalls in both personal and professional life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person falling into a deep pit (陷) filled with mud. The character looks like a person (亻) clinging to the edge of a hole (土), struggling to escape the trap. This visual can help you remember both the meaning of 'trap' and the pronunciation 'xiàn' as you picture their desperate situation.

Meanings of 陷

xiàn(xian4)
1pitfall
2trap
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 陷

陷Simplified
10Strokes
阝Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4564Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 陷

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Podcast: 陷

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AI Study Notes for 陷

Quick Contrast

掉 (diào) - use 陷 when referring to falling into a trap or difficult situation, while 掉 is more general for falling or dropping without the implication of a trap.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person falling into a deep pit (陷) filled with mud. The character looks like a person (亻) clinging to the edge of a hole (土), struggling to escape the trap. This visual can help you remember both the meaning of 'trap' and the pronunciation 'xiàn' as you picture their desperate situation.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 陷 with similar-sounding characters. It is important to note that 陷 is used in both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include 陷入困境 (xiànrù kùnjìng - to fall into difficulties) and 陷阱 (xiànjǐng - trap). Ensure correct pronunciation, particularly the fourth tone to avoid confusion.

HSK Study Tips

While 陷 is not part of the official HSK levels, it is useful for learners at HSK 4 and above, especially when discussing complex situations. Students should focus on using it in context, particularly in phrases that describe challenges and difficulties.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of falling into traps is often linked to moral lessons and cautionary tales. It reflects the importance of being vigilant and wise to avoid pitfalls in both personal and professional life.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mispronounce 陷 as 'xiān' instead of 'xiàn'. Additionally, they might confuse it with 限 (xiàn - limit), leading to incorrect meanings in sentences. For example, saying '他被限制在陷阱里' (Tā bèi xiànzhì zài xiànjǐng lǐ - He is limited in the trap) instead of the correct usage.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 陷

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Etymology of 陷

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A place 阝 with a pit 臽; 臽 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 陷?

Decomposition of 陷

IDS Structure⿰阝臽
陷Full Character
=
阝yi4
left
臽xian4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 陷?

Write 陷

陷

Practice writing 陷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 陷

陷 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他们时常____入枯燥的日常事务之中。

All too often they become enmeshed in deadening routines.

Example Sentences for 陷 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们时常陷入枯燥的日常事务之中。

tā mén shí cháng xiàn rù kū zào de rì cháng shì wù zhī zhōng。

All too often they become enmeshed in deadening routines.
2
惊奇的是地板居然从未塌陷。

jīng qí de shì dì bǎn jū rán cóng wèi tā xiàn。

It was a marvel that the floor never gave way.
3
你不得不承认，你事实上是陷入了困境。

nǐ bù dé bù chéng rèn， ， nǐ shì shí shàng shì xiàn rù le kùn。

You have to admit that you are, in fact, in difficulties.
4
镇上老码头区多年来疏于维护,快要塌陷了.

zhèn shàng lǎo mǎ tóu qū duō nián lái shū yú wéi hù, , kuài yào tā xiàn.

The town's old quayside is collapsing after years of neglect.
5
我们陷入了难以言表的糟糕处境。

wǒ mén xiàn rù le nán yǐ yán biǎo de zāo gāo chǔ jìng。

We were in a disaster situation that defies description.
6
这令我陷入了不得不说谎的尴尬境地。

zhè líng wǒ xiàn rù le bù dé bù shuō huǎng de gān gà jìng dì。

It put me in the unenviable position of having to lie.
7
这场大火使科威特的石油产业陷入悲惨的境地。

zhè cháng dà huǒ shǐ kē wēi tè de shí yóu chǎn yè xiàn rù bēi cǎn de jìng dì。

The fire left Kuwait's oil industry in a sorry state.
8
这将让我们陷入非常困难的经济窘境。

zhè jiāng ràng wǒ mén xiàn rù fēi cháng kùn nán de jīng jì jiǒng jìng。

This will put us in a very difficult economic fix.
9
灯熄了，屋里陷入一片漆黑。

dēng xī le， ， wū lǐ xiàn rù yī piàn qī。

The light went out, and the room was plunged into darkness.
10
关于工业为何陷入困境正在展开一场全面的讨论。

guān yú gōng yè wéi hé xiàn rù kùn jìng zhèng zài zhǎn kāi yī cháng quán miàn de tǎo lùn。

A full-scale debate is under way on what ails the industry.

Cultural Notes for 陷

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of falling into traps is often linked to moral lessons and cautionary tales. It reflects the importance of being vigilant and wise to avoid pitfalls in both personal and professional life.

Word Family of 陷

Words Containing This Character20
陷入xiànrùto sink into
缺陷quēxiàndefect
陷阱xiànjǐngpitfall
陷xiàntrap
陷害xiànhàito entrap
深陷deep set (eyes)
陷于caught in (a bad situation)陷於
诬陷wūxiànto entrap誣陷
塌陷to subside
沦陷to be occupied淪陷
凹陷to cave in
陷落to fall (to the enemy)
攻陷to overcome
冲锋陷阵to charge and break through enemy lines衝鋒陷陣
下陷to subside
身陷囹圄thrown into prison
沉陷subsidence
沦陷区enemy-held territory淪陷區
陷坑pitfall
构陷to frame構陷
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 陷入 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 陷

You can say '他陷入了困境' (Tā xiànrùle kùnjìng) meaning 'He has fallen into difficulties.'