1.
trap; snare; scheme; stratagem
A clever trick or scheme designed to manipulate someone. Most commonly appears in the set phrase 術中にはまる ('to fall into someone's trap'). Refers to the calculated designs of another person.
相手の術中にはまった。
I fell into the opponent's trap.
彼の術中にはまらないように気をつけろ。
Be careful not to fall into his trap.
詐欺師の巧みな術中に多くの人が引っかかった。
Many people were caught by the swindler's cunning scheme.
Compound of 術 ('technique; art; trick') and 中 ('inside; within'). Literally 'inside someone's technique' — the space within another person's calculated scheme. Almost always used in the fixed expression 術中にはまる.
USAGE:
- Overwhelmingly appears in the pattern 術中にはまる ('to fall into a trap; to be taken in by a scheme').
- Less commonly: 術中に陥る ('to fall into a scheme'; more literary).
- Implies that the schemer acted deliberately and skillfully — this is not about accidental misfortune but calculated manipulation.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 術中にはまる: to fall into someone's trap
- 術中に陥る: to fall into someone's scheme (literary)
- 相手の術中: the opponent's trap
- 巧みな術中: a cunning scheme
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 罠: trap; snare — a more general word for traps, both literal (hunting traps) and figurative
- 策略: stratagem; scheme — emphasizes the planning and cunning behind a plot
- 計略: scheme; ploy — similar to 策略, often used in military or historical contexts
- 落とし穴: pitfall; trap — literally a pit trap, also used figuratively for hidden dangers