rù kēng: 入坑 - To get into something (a hobby, fandom), to fall into a pit/trap

• Keywords: ru keng, 入坑, Chinese slang, get into a hobby in Chinese, fall into a pit, what does rukeng mean, get hooked on something, fandom Chinese, C-drama slang, gaming slang, Chinese internet slang, down the rabbit hole
• Summary: “入坑” (rù kēng) is a popular Chinese internet slang term that literally means “to enter a pit.” Figuratively, it describes the experience of getting deeply absorbed into a new hobby, fandom, or interest, like gaming, C-dramas, or collecting. It humorously captures the feeling of being “sucked in” and unable to escape, often involving a significant investment of time and money. If you've ever gone “down the rabbit hole” with a new TV series or hobby, you already understand the essence of 入坑.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): rù kēng
• Part of Speech: Verb phrase
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: To get deeply involved in a new hobby, fandom, or interest, often to the point of obsession.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine your new favorite hobby is a giant, welcoming pit. “入坑” (rù kēng) is the act of jumping in. Once you're in the “pit,” it's hard to climb out because you're so invested and having so much fun. The term is used with self-deprecating humor to describe how consuming a new passion can be, whether it's binge-watching 50 episodes of a drama, buying all the merchandise for a pop idol, or spending hours mastering a video game.

• 入 (rù): This character means “to enter” or “to go into.” It's a simple pictogram that looks like a wedge or an arrow pointing downwards and to the right, signifying entry.
• 坑 (kēng): This character means “pit,” “hole,” or “trap.” It's composed of two parts: the radical on the left, 土 (tǔ), means “earth” or “soil,” indicating it's something in the ground. The part on the right, 亢 (kàng), provides the pronunciation.
• Together, 入坑 (rù kēng) creates a vivid and literal image of “entering a pit.” This metaphor perfectly captures the modern slang meaning of getting so deep into something that it feels like you're joyfully trapped.

“入坑” is a cornerstone of modern Chinese internet and fandom culture, primarily used by younger generations. It signifies a shift from simply “liking” something to passionately and communally participating in it.

• Community and Shared Experience: The “pit” is rarely lonely. People “入坑” together and use the term to find fellow fans. A common activity is 拉人入坑 (lā rén rù kēng), or “pulling people into the pit,” which is the equivalent of getting your friends hooked on your favorite show or game.
• Comparison to “Going Down the Rabbit Hole”: The Western phrase “going down the rabbit hole” is similar, as both imply a journey into something deep and absorbing. However, “入坑” carries a stronger connotation of commitment and investment, especially financial. The “pit” metaphor suggests a more permanent state and a higher barrier to exit than the winding, exploratory path of a “rabbit hole.” You fall into a pit; you wander down a rabbit hole.
• Self-Aware Consumerism: The term humorously acknowledges that modern hobbies can be expensive “traps.” By calling their passion a “pit,” users preemptively and lightheartedly accept the time and money they are about to spend. It's a fun, self-deprecating way to talk about consumerism within fan communities.

“入坑” is overwhelmingly informal and used in casual conversations, especially online, on social media platforms like Weibo and Douban, and in group chats.

• Fandoms (饭圈 - fànquān): This is the most common context. Fans will talk about when they “入坑” a particular C-drama, anime, pop idol (like TFBOYS), or a “ship” (a romantic pairing of characters, known as a CP or “Couple Paring”).
• Consuming Hobbies: It's widely used for hobbies that require collecting or significant spending. This includes gaming (e.g., “入坑《原神》” - getting into Genshin Impact), collecting figurines, high-end makeup, mechanical keyboards, fountain pens, and more.
• Connotation: The connotation is almost always positive and enthusiastic, despite the “trap” metaphor. It's a way of proudly declaring your passion for something.

• Example 1:
  • 我最近看了《苍兰诀》，彻底入坑了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuìjìn kànle “Cāng Lán Jué”, chèdǐ rù kēng le.
  • English: I recently watched “Love Between Fairy and Devil,” and I've completely gotten hooked.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using “入坑” for a C-drama. “彻底” (chèdǐ) means “completely,” emphasizing the depth of their new obsession.
• Example 2:
  • 朋友，别入坑机械键盘，太花钱了！
  • Pinyin: Péngyǒu, bié rù kēng jīxiè jiànpán, tài huā qián le!
  • English: Friend, don't get into mechanical keyboards, it costs too much money!
  • Analysis: This is a humorous warning, highlighting the “pit” as a money sink. The speaker is likely already “in the pit” themselves.
• Example 3:
  • 你是什么时候入坑这个游戏的？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì shénme shíhòu rù kēng zhège yóuxì de?
  • English: When did you get into this game?
  • Analysis: A common question used between fans or players to establish a timeline and share experiences.
• Example 4:
  • 我是被我闺蜜拉入坑的，现在天天都在聊剧情。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ shì bèi wǒ guīmì lā rù kēng de, xiànzài tiāntiān dōu zài liáo jùqíng.
  • English: I was pulled into this pit by my best friend, and now we talk about the plot every day.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the very common structure 拉人入坑 (lā rén rù kēng), “to pull someone into the pit.”
• Example 5:
  • 这个偶像团体太有魅力了，我看了一场演唱会就入坑了。
  • Pinyin: Zhège ǒuxiàng tuántǐ tài yǒu mèilì le, wǒ kànle yī chǎng yǎnchànghuì jiù rù kēng le.
  • English: This idol group is so charming, I went to one concert and immediately got hooked.
  • Analysis: Shows how quickly one can “enter the pit.” The “trigger” is often a specific event or piece of content.
• Example 6:
  • 一旦入坑手办，你的钱包就不是你自己的了。
  • Pinyin: Yīdàn rù kēng shǒubàn, nǐ de qiánbāo jiù bùshì nǐ zìjǐ de le.
  • English: Once you get into collecting figurines, your wallet is no longer your own.
  • Analysis: Another humorous exaggeration about the financial commitment of a hobby. “手办” (shǒubàn) means figurines or garage kits.
• Example 7:
  • 欢迎新朋友入坑！我们这里有很多同好。
  • Pinyin: Huānyíng xīn péngyǒu rù kēng! Wǒmen zhèlǐ yǒu hěnduō tónghào.
  • English: Welcome, new friend, to the fandom! We have a lot of people with the same hobby here.
  • Analysis: Used in fan communities to welcome newcomers. “同好” (tónghào) is a person who shares the same interest.
• Example 8:
  • 我保证，这是我今年入的最后一个坑。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bǎozhèng, zhè shì wǒ jīnnián rù de zuìhòu yīgè kēng.
  • English: I promise, this is the last “pit” I'm getting into this year.
  • Analysis: Here, “入坑” is split, which is a common grammatical pattern. It's a tongue-in-cheek promise that the speaker (and the listener) knows will likely be broken.
• Example 9:
  • 小心，这个项目里有很多坑，别轻易入坑。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎoxīn, zhège xiàngmù lǐ yǒu hěnduō kēng, bié qīngyì rù kēng.
  • English: Be careful, this project has a lot of pitfalls, don't get involved rashly.
  • Analysis: This example edges closer to the literal meaning. While still slang, “坑” here means “pitfall” or “trap” in a business or project context. The advice is to not commit to something problematic.
• Example 10:
  • 你想入坑吗？我可以给你安利一下。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiǎng rù kēng ma? Wǒ kěyǐ gěi nǐ ānlì yīxià.
  • English: Do you want to get into it? I can give you the sales pitch.
  • Analysis: This combines “入坑” with another key slang term, “安利” (ānlì), which means to enthusiastically recommend or evangelize something. “安利” is the action that often leads to “入坑”.

• Don't Confuse with the Literal Meaning: While “入坑” literally means to fall into a physical hole, you will almost never hear it used that way in modern conversation. The default meaning is the figurative, slang one. For a literal fall, one would more likely say “掉进坑里了” (diàojìn kēng lǐ le).
• More Than Just “Starting”: “入坑” is not a direct synonym for “to start a hobby” (开始一个爱好 - kāishǐ yīgè àihào). It implies a much higher level of passion, depth, and community involvement. You might start jogging, but you 入坑 marathon culture by buying expensive shoes, tracking apps, and joining running clubs. Using “入坑” for a very casual or superficial interest can sound strange.
• Incorrect Usage Example:
  • Incorrect: 我昨天入坑了做晚饭。(Wǒ zuótiān rù kēng le zuò wǎnfàn.) - “Yesterday I got hooked on making dinner.”
  • Why it's wrong: Making dinner is a daily chore. Unless you've suddenly dived into gourmet cooking, buying complex equipment, and studying French culinary techniques, “入坑” is too strong and sounds awkward. A more natural way to say you started cooking is “我开始自己做晚饭了” (Wǒ kāishǐ zìjǐ zuò wǎnfàn le).

• 出坑 (chū kēng) - “To leave the pit.” The direct antonym of 入坑, meaning to lose interest in or quit a hobby/fandom.
• 退坑 (tuì kēng) - “To retreat from the pit.” A synonym for 出坑, also meaning to quit a hobby or fandom.
• 拉人入坑 (lā rén rù kēng) - “To pull someone into the pit.” The act of getting a friend or acquaintance hooked on the same thing you are.
• 安利 (ānlì) - From the brand name “Amway.” To passionately recommend or promote something (a show, a product, an idol). This is the primary tool used to “拉人入坑”.
• 剁手 (duò shǒu) - “To chop off one's hands.” A humorous exclamation of regret after spending too much money, usually online. This is a common feeling for those deep in a materialistic “坑”.
• 爬墙 (pá qiáng) - “To climb the wall.” A fandom term for when a fan who was dedicated to one idol or character suddenly switches their main focus to another.
• 坑主 (kēng zhǔ) - “Master of the pit.” The person who is an expert in the hobby, or who originally introduced a group of friends to it.
• 躺平 (tǎng píng) - “To lie flat.” While not directly related in meaning, it originates from the same modern Chinese youth/internet culture. It represents a passive response to social pressures, in contrast to the active, passionate engagement of “入坑”.