陷入

• Pinyin: xiàn rù
• Hanzi breakdown: 陷 = 阝(hill) + 臽 (pit), meaning to sink or trap; 入 = depicts something entering an opening

Meaning

To fall into; to sink into; to get trapped in. To become caught in a difficult situation or state.

Always implies a negative situation - one doesn't 陷入 something positive. Common collocations: 陷入困境 (get into a difficult situation), 陷入沉思 (sink into deep thought), 陷入债务 (fall into debt), 陷入爱情 (fall in love - though this can be seen as positive, it implies being 'trapped').

Examples

1. 由于决策失误，公司陷入了严重的财务危机。 Due to poor decision-making, the company fell into a serious financial crisis.
2. 听到这个消息后，她陷入了长时间的沉默。 After hearing the news, she sank into a long silence.
3. 一旦陷入恶性循环，就很难再走出来。 Once you fall into a vicious cycle, it's very hard to get out.

Usage Guide

Context: formal, news, analytical, emotional

Tone: concerning

Do Say

• 他陷入了深深的自责中。(He fell into deep self-blame.)
• 经济陷入衰退。(The economy fell into recession.)

Don't Say

• 我陷入了快乐 — 陷入用于负面状态，快乐应该说'沉浸在快乐中'

Origin & History

Compound of 陷 (to sink, trap) + 入 (to enter). 陷 originally meant a pitfall or trap, so 陷入 means to fall into a trap-like situation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal