圈套

• Pinyin: quān tào
• Hanzi breakdown: 圈 = 囗 + 卷 (circle — an enclosed loop); 套 = 大 + 长 (ensnare/cover — something that fits around to trap)

Meaning

Trap; snare; a scheme or trick deliberately designed to deceive or ensnare someone.

设圈套 (set a trap), 落入圈套 (fall into a trap), 识破圈套 (see through a trap). Used in both literal trapping contexts and, more commonly, for metaphorical deceptive schemes. Implies deliberate malicious intent by the party setting the trap.

Examples

1. 这家不法中介精心设计了一个圈套，专门针对急于找工作的外来务工人员骗取押金。 This illegal broker carefully set a trap aimed at migrant workers desperate for jobs, scamming them out of deposits.
2. 经验丰富的谈判代表一眼便识破了对方的圈套，迅速调整了己方的谈判策略。 The seasoned negotiator spotted the other side’s trap at a glance and quickly adjusted their strategy.
3. 她事后回想才意识到，自己当初一步步落入了对方精心布置的圈套之中。 Only afterward did she realize that she had gradually fallen into the trap the other party had so carefully set.

Usage Guide

Context: law, fraud prevention, negotiation, narrative

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 消费者协会提醒公众警惕网络购物中常见的虚假折扣圈套，这类骗术往往先以超低价引诱下单，再以各种借口拒绝发货。(The Consumer Association reminded the public to be wary of fake discount traps common in online shopping, where such scams typically lure buyers with ultra-low prices before refusing to ship under various pretexts.)
• 在商业谈判中对方有时会故意制造时间压力，这往往是一种令你仓促决策的圈套，务必保持冷静。(In business negotiations, the other party sometimes deliberately creates time pressure — this is often a trap designed to rush you into decisions, so it is essential to remain calm.)

Don't Say

• 猎人用圈套捉到了狐狸 — use 陷阱 or 夹子 for physical hunting devices; 圈套 in modern usage almost always refers to metaphorical deceptive schemes rather than literal animal traps

Origin & History

圈 (circle/loop) + 套 (cover/ensnare) — a looped snare; a deceptive scheme that traps its target

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal