陷阱

• Pinyin: xiàn jǐng
• Hanzi breakdown: 陷 = 阝+ 臽 (fall into pit); 阱 = 阝+ 井 (a pit in the shape of a well)

Meaning

Trap; pitfall; a deceptive situation or device designed to catch or harm someone.

Used both literally (a physical trap for animals) and figuratively (a deceptive scheme, a logical fallacy, or a contractual clause designed to exploit). The key implication is difficulty of escape once entered.

Examples

1. 猎人在树林里设置了几个陷阱，专门用来捕捉野兽。 The hunter set several traps in the woods specifically to catch wild animals.
2. 这份合同中隐藏着不少法律陷阱，需要律师仔细审查。 There are quite a few legal traps hidden in this contract, and a lawyer needs to review it carefully.
3. 投资者应当学会识别和规避市场中的各种资金陷阱。 Investors should learn to recognize and avoid the various money traps in the market.

Usage Guide

Context: law, business, everyday, hunting

Tone: cautionary

Do Say

• 这道逻辑题暗藏陷阱，考生一不小心就会上当。(This logic question conceals a trap — candidates can easily be fooled if they are not careful.)
• 在商务谈判中，要时刻警惕对方可能设下的各种陷阱。(In business negotiations, always be vigilant about the various traps the other side may have laid.)

Don't Say

• 掉进一个错误陷阱 — just say 落入陷阱 or 掉入陷阱; 错误 is redundant as 陷阱 already implies deception or danger

Origin & History

陷 (fall into/sink) + 阱 (pit/trap) — a pit that one falls into

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal