坑

• Pinyin: kēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 坑 = 土 (earth) + 亢 (high/excessive)

Meaning

Pit; hole; to cheat; to rip off. Both a noun for a depression in the ground and a verb meaning to swindle someone.

As a noun, refers to any hole or depression. As a verb, colloquially means to deceive or take advantage of someone. Very common in internet slang for being tricked or scammed.

Examples

1. 路上有个大坑，开车要小心。 There's a big pit in the road — be careful when driving.
2. 那家店的东西太贵了，完全是坑人。 That store's stuff is way too expensive — a total rip-off.
3. 我被这个游戏坑了不少钱。 I got ripped off by this game for quite a bit of money.

Usage Guide

Context: physical description, complaint, internet slang

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 这里有个坑，别踩到。(There's a pit here — don't step in it.)
• 别去那家店，坑死人。(Don't go to that store — they'll rip you off.)

Don't Say

• 这是一个很正式的坑。(The verb form of 坑 is colloquial — don't use it in formal contexts; use 欺骗 instead)

Origin & History

Pictographic character depicting a hole in the ground. The 土 (earth) radical indicates ground-related meaning.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal