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Expressing 'to sink into' or 'to be trapped' with 陷 (xiàn)
Actions & Events
Description & Modification
Structure
陷 + (入/进) + Situation
Explanation
陷 (xiàn) means "to sink into," "to fall into," or "to be trapped in" and is used both literally and figuratively. Figuratively, it describes becoming deeply involved in emotions or difficult situations, as in 陷得更深 (to sink in deeper). It often appears in constructions with 入 or 进, forming 陷入 (to fall into).
Examples
他越想越难过，不知不觉陷入了沉思。
tā yuè xiǎng yuè nánguò, bùzhībùjué xiànrù le chénsī.
The more he thought about it, the sadder he became, and before he knew it, he had fallen into deep thought.
公司陷入了财务危机，不得不裁员。
gōngsī xiànrù le cáiwù wēijī, bùdébù cáiyuán.
The company fell into a financial crisis and had to lay off employees.
她提醒自己不要再陷得更深了。
tā tíxǐng zìjǐ bú yào zài xiàn de gèng shēn le.
She reminded herself not to get in any deeper.