Definitions

xiàn (verb) to sink; to cave in
xiàn (verb) to get stuck; to be trapped
xiàn (noun) pitfall; trap
xiàn (verb) to capture (in battle)
xiàn (verb) to frame (with false charges)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character 陷 consists of the mound radical 阝 on the left and the component 臽 on the right, which depicts a person falling into a pit. This combination of a landform and a cavity conveys the idea of a depression or hole. Its original meaning referred to a literal pitfall or trap used to capture animals or enemies. Over time, the meaning broadened to include abstract concepts such as falling into difficult situations, being framed, or military positions being overrun. 陷 functions both as a noun for physical traps and as a verb meaning to sink, become trapped, or defect.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

不要入困境。

Bú yào xiàn rù kùn jìng.

Do not fall into difficulty.

小心地上的阱。

Xiǎo xīn dì shàng de xiàn jǐng.

Be careful of the trap on the ground.

这个机器有缺

Zhè ge jī qì yǒu quē xiàn.

This machine has a defect.

入了深深的思考。

Tā xiàn rù le shēn shēn de sī kǎo.

He fell into deep thought.

城市于战火之中。

Chéng shì xiàn yú zhàn huǒ zhī zhōng.

The city was caught in the flames of war.

避免入同样的误区。

Bì miǎn xiàn rù tóng yàng de wù qū.

Avoid falling into the same misunderstanding.

那段历史时期国家沦了。

Nà duàn lì shǐ shí qī guó jiā lún xiàn le.

During that historical period, the country was occupied.

他因害同事而被解雇。

Tā yīn xiàn hài tóng shì ér bèi jiě gù.

He was fired for framing his colleague.