上当
Traditional: 上當
shàng dàng HSK 5

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

他买假货上当了。
Tā mǎi jiǎhuò shàngdàngle.
He was fooled into buying fake goods.
小心别上陌生人的当。
Xiǎoxīn bié shàng mòshēngrén de dàng.
Be careful not to be fooled by strangers.
她上次上当后很生气。
Tā shàngcì shàngdàng hòu hěn shēngqì.
She was very angry after being fooled last time.
我上当了。
Wǒ shàngdàng le.
I was fooled.
他上当了。
Tā shàngdàng le.
He was tricked.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of '上当' as 'getting on the trap'—'上' means 'to get on' and '当' can imply a 'trap' or 'scheme.' Imagine stepping onto a deceptive platform that collapses, symbolizing being fooled.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in register and common in both spoken and written Chinese. It is frequently used in everyday conversations to describe situations involving scams, tricks, or bad deals, such as in consumer fraud, online deception, or interpersonal betrayal.

📖 Grammar Points

上当 is often used in the pattern '上 + [someone's] + 当,' as in '上他的当' (to be fooled by him). It can also be used with modifiers like '容易' (easy to) or '经常' (often) to describe frequency or tendency.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, '上当' is commonly associated with warnings about scams, especially in contexts like market haggling, online shopping, or investment schemes. It reflects a cultural emphasis on being cautious and discerning to avoid exploitation.

🔄 Similar Words

受骗 (shòupiàn) also means 'to be deceived,' but it is more formal and emphasizes the result of being cheated. 上当 often carries a nuance of being lured into a trap or making a poor decision due to deception.

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