Meaning and Usage
The verb 陷害 (xiànhài) means "to entrap" or "to frame someone," often implying malicious intent to cause harm or trouble to another person by deceit or false accusations.
Common Contexts
It is frequently used in legal, workplace, or social contexts where someone is falsely accused or set up to take the blame for something they did not do.
Collocations and Patterns
- 陷害别人 (xiànhài biérén): to entrap others
- 被陷害 (bèi xiànhài): to be framed or entrapped
- 故意陷害 (gùyì xiànhài): to deliberately entrap
These collocations highlight the intentional and harmful nature of the act.
Usage Notes
When using 陷害, the speaker usually implies a serious wrongdoing by the person who sets the trap. It is a strong word often used in formal or serious accusations rather than casual contexts.
Avoid confusing 陷害 with general harm verbs like 伤害 (shānghài), which means to physically or emotionally hurt someone without the implication of deceit or framing.