Definition
陷 (xiàn) is a versatile verb with three distinct meanings: physically sinking into something (like snow or mud), framing someone with false charges, or a city/army falling to the enemy. Unlike 沉 (chén), which is about submerging in liquid, 陷 emphasizes getting stuck or trapped in a substance. For the 'frame' sense, 陷害 (xiàn hài) is the full verb form, while 陷 alone is more literary and often appears in fixed phrases.
verb
to sink intoto get stuck in (physical substance)to cave into frame (with false charges)to incriminate falselyto capture (a city in battle)to fall to the enemyto defect
Easily confused
- 掐qiālook-aliketo pinch, to nip (between thumb and finger)
- 先xiānsound-alikefirst, in advance, before others
- 馅xiànlook-alikefilling, stuffing (for dumplings, pies, etc.)
- 线xiànsound-alikethread; string; wire; line
- 险xiǎnsound-alike(adjective) dangerous, perilous
- 献xiànsound-aliketo offer, to present (with respect, e.g. flowers, gifts, opinion)
- 显xiǎnsound-alike(adjective) prominent, conspicuous, obvious
- 县xiànsound-alikecounty
- 闲xiánsound-alikefree (not busy), idle, unoccupied
- 嫌xiánsound-aliketo dislike (usually because something is unsatisfactory); to complain about; to find fault with
Examples
- 陷。Tā bù xiǎoxīn yì jiǎo xiàn jìn le xuě kēng.He accidentally sank a foot into a snow pit.
- ，。Tā bèi huàirén xiànhài le, zuò le jǐ nián láo.He was framed by bad people and spent years in prison.
- ，。Díjūn gōng lái, shǒuchéng shìbīng fēnfēn xiàn yú díshǒu.The enemy attacked, and the defending soldiers fell into enemy hands one after another.
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