Meaning

Primary

To Fall Into

Alternative

To Be Thrown Into

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an  sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means cave in, and the verb version takes that feeling further. It means to fall into or to be thrown into something negative, like a trap, trouble, or even a bad emotional state.

陥る describes a moment when the world around you or your heart caves in, and you're suddenly thrown into that space and get trapped inside. It's like slipping into a dark hole in life you didn't see coming. That's the feeling!

Reading

おちいる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:

Whenever you're about to fall into a physical or emotional pit of doom, you just mutter, "Oh cheese eatery (おちい)..." Because that's where it always starts. You can never resist the temptations of their mysterious fondue. Oh, that cheese eatery is like a trap for people with no self-control. Get ahold of yourself! Your life is falling into cheesy ruin!!

Context

Context Sentences

このままでは、価格競争に陥るのがオチですよ。

At this rate, we're going to end up falling into a price war.

火災報知器が鳴って、社員全員がパニックに陥った。

The fire alarm went off, and all the employees fell into panic.

私は道に迷いやすく、ドライブ中によく「ここどこ?」状態に陥る。

I get lost easily, so while driving I often find myself in a "Where am I?" situation.

経済危機が悪化し、国はなんの手の施しようもない状況に陥った。

The economic crisis worsened, and the country fell into a situation beyond all help.

Kanji Composition