Chinese word

陷阱

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiàn jǐng

Meaning

  • nountrap

Example

那是个陷阱，别上当。nà shì gè xiàn jǐng bié shàng dàng

That's a trap; don't fall for it.

Illustration for 陷阱 (trap)

More examples

很多骗局的目的就是让人落入陷阱。hěn duō piàn jú de mù dì jiù shì ràng rén luò rù xiàn jǐng

The purpose of many scams is to make people fall into a trap.

Core concept

A hidden lure or setup that draws someone into trouble, whether as a physical pit or a deceptive plan.

Common phrases

  • 落入陷阱luò rù xiàn jǐng

    fall into a trap

  • 设下陷阱shè xià xiàn jǐng

    set a trap

  • 识破陷阱shí pò xiàn jǐng

    see through a trap

Similar words

圈套quān tào: A clever setup meant to deceive someone and get a desired action or benefit.
骗局piàn jú: A made-up transaction or scheme created to obtain money or gain through deception.
诡计guǐ jì: A crafty plan or method for deceiving and outsmarting someone.
诱饵yòu ěr: Something attractive placed or offered to draw a person or animal toward a target.

Definition in Chinese

指通过诱饵、计策等使人落入不利境地的圈套或装置，也可指实际挖出的捕捉用坑洞。zhǐ tōng guò yòu ěr jì cè děng shǐ rén luò rù bú lì jìng dì de quān tào huò zhuāng zhì yě kě zhǐ shí jì wā chū de bǔ zhuō yòng kēng dòng

Word origin

陷阱 (xiànjǐng, "trap") combines 陷 (xiàn, "to fall into") + 阱 (jǐng, "a pit dug to catch prey"), so a hole for catching animals extends to anything that makes a person fall into trouble.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, it often warns about an attractive offer or easy-looking opportunity whose hidden cost creates trouble, including social and online dangers.

Other meanings

  • pitfallnoun
  • schemenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word