Japanese word

罠

Pronunciation

Romajiwana

Meaning

  • nountrap

Example

その問題には罠があります。so no mon dai ni wa wana ga a ri ma su

There is a trap in that problem.

Illustration for 罠 (trap)

More examples

相手の親切そうな言葉に罠が隠れているかもしれません。ai te no shin setsu sō na koto ba ni wana ga kaku re te i ru ka mo shi re ma se n

There may be a trap hidden in the other person's seemingly kind words.

Core concept

It involves a hidden setup that catches a person or animal, or leaves someone unable to escape a difficult situation.

Common phrases

  • 罠にかかるwana ni ka ka ru

    fall into a trap

  • 罠を仕掛けるwana o shi ka ke ru

    set a trap

  • 罠を見抜くwana o mi nu ku

    spot a trap

Similar words

落とし穴otoshiana: A concealed pit or problem that causes someone to become caught or disadvantaged.
引っかけhikkake: A deceptive question or trick that leads someone into an unfavorable response or action.

Definition in Japanese

人や動物を誘い込んで逃げられないようにする仕掛けや、そこから抜け出しにくい状況。hito ya dō butsu o saso i ko n de ni ge ra re na i yō ni su ru shi ka ke ya so ko ka ra nu ke da shi ni ku i jō kyō

Word origin

The native Japanese noun わな (wana) has an uncertain original formation, and 罠 (wana) is its established kanji writing.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, a trap question is phrased to make any direct answer expose the speaker to an unwanted consequence.

Other meanings

  • snarenoun

Word lists with this word