陷入 xiànrù to sink into
to sink into; to get caught up in; to land in (a predicament)
How to remember 陷入: 陷 to sink + 入 enter = to sink into.
Characters
How it is used
- To sink/fall into (a bad state) - 陷入困境 (xiànrù kùnjìng) to fall into a predicament, 陷入沉思 (xiànrù chénsī) to be lost in thought.
- Almost always into something difficult or absorbing (困境, 危机, 混乱, 回忆); you can't easily get back out.
- Contrast neutral 进入 (jìnrù, to enter): 陷入 implies being trapped/mired.
Example sentences
- 他发言完后，大家陷入了沉默。 Tā fāyán wánhòu, dàjiā xiànrù le chénmò.When he finished speaking, everyone was silent.
- 那场事故让我们陷入了不寻常的局势。 Nàchǎng shìgù ràng wǒmen xiànrù le bù xúncháng de júshì.We were faced with an unusual situation because of the accident.