陷

• Pinyin: xiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 阝= 阜 (earth mound); 臽 = 人 + 凵 (person falling into a pit)

Meaning

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

Used both physically (sinking into mud) and metaphorically (being mired in difficulties, debt, or emotional states). Suggests gradual or sudden entrapment from which escape is difficult.

Examples

1. 他一脚踩进了泥坑，整条腿都陷了进去无法自拔。 He stepped into a mud pit, and his whole leg sank in, unable to pull himself out.
2. 公司一旦陷入财务危机，便很难在短期内脱身。 Once a company falls into a financial crisis, it’s hard to get out of it in the short term.
3. 她逐渐陷入了一种无法排解的深度孤独之中。 She gradually sank into a deep loneliness she couldn’t shake.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, business, emotions

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 谈判陷入了僵局，双方都不愿做出任何让步。(Negotiations fell into a stalemate — neither side was willing to make any concession.)
• 他深陷债务危机，生活已难以为继。(He sank deep into a debt crisis and could barely sustain his livelihood.)

Don't Say

• 陷一个洞 — use 挖 (dig) to describe creating a pit; 陷 describes falling or sinking into one

Origin & History

阜 (mound/elevated land) + 臽 (person falling into a pit) — falling into a depression in the ground

Cultural Context

Era: Classical/Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal