1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “陥” (kan) generally means “to fall into,” “to sink,” or “to be trapped.” It conveys a sense of being caught in a difficult situation or condition.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “陥” is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which combines a semantic component and a phonetic component. The left part “阜” (fu) relates to a hill or mound, while the right part “艮” (gen) provides the phonetic sound.
Radical: The radical of “陥” is “阜,” which is associated with earth or land, indicating a connection to physical places or situations.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some common words that include “陥” are “陥落” (kanraku – to fall, to collapse) and “陥穽” (kansei – pitfall, trap).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 彼はビジネスで陥落した。 (Kare wa bijinesu de kanraku shita.) – He fell into a trap in his business.
- その計画は陥穽に陥る可能性がある。 (Sono keikaku wa kansei ni ochiru kanousei ga aru.) – That plan has the potential to fall into a pitfall.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “落” (raku), which also means “to fall” but is more general and can refer to falling from a height or losing something.
Opposite Kanji: An antonym is “登” (tou), which means “to ascend” or “to climb,” representing the opposite action of falling or sinking.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Connection to Japanese Culture: The concept of being trapped or falling into a difficult situation is prevalent in Japanese literature and folklore, often symbolizing moral lessons or warnings.
Proverbs and Idioms: One relevant proverb is “陥るは易く、抜け出るは難し” (Ochiruhazukushi, nukeduru wa muzukashi), which translates to “It is easy to fall into a trap, but difficult to escape from it,” emphasizing the caution needed in life.