旋涡 xuánwō spiral
spiral; whirlpool; eddy; vortex
How to remember 旋涡: 旋 to revolve + 涡 whirlpool = spiral.
Characters
How it is used
- A whirlpool / vortex - of water: 水中的旋涡 (shuǐ zhōng de xuánwō). Figuratively a swirl you get caught in: 卷入旋涡 (juǎnrù xuánwō) get sucked into the vortex (of scandal, conflict).
- The figurative 'caught up in trouble' sense is very common. Also written 漩涡.