Translation guide
To trick someone into doing something wrong or into a situation they cannot escape from.
The speaker wants to express that someone was deceived into doing something illegal or morally wrong, often by law enforcement or an adversary.
Literally 'to trap', this is the most common and natural way to say 'entrap' in the sense of setting a trap for someone.
警察は容疑者を罠にかけた。
The police entrapped the suspect.
The speaker wants to express that someone was tricked or manipulated into a situation from which it is hard to escape, not necessarily criminal.
Similar to 罠にかける but emphasizes the act of trapping someone in a scheme.
彼は巧妙な話術で私を罠にはめた。
He entrapped me with his clever talk.
The speaker wants to express that something or someone is physically caught or trapped.
The English word 'entrap' often implies a deliberate scheme. In Japanese, simply using 捕まえる (to catch) or 騙す (to deceive) may not convey the full nuance. Use 罠にかける or 陥れる for the deceptive aspect.
Means to trick someone into a bad situation or frame them. Stronger nuance of malicious intent.
彼は同僚を陥れようとした。
He tried to entrap his colleague.
Specifically refers to entrapment through a sting operation. Used in legal or police contexts.
おとり捜査で捕まえるのは違法になる場合がある。
Entrapping someone through a sting operation can be illegal.
Literally 'to trap in one's scheme', used when someone is caught in a plot or stratagem.
敵を術中にはめることに成功した。
They succeeded in entrapping the enemy.
Means to lure someone into a place or situation, often with deceptive intent.
彼は甘い言葉で彼女を誘い込んだ。
He entrapped her with sweet words.
Means to shut someone in, physically trapping them.
彼は部屋に閉じ込められた。
He was entrapped in the room.
To entangle and capture, often used for catching something with a net or trap.
クモが巣で虫を絡め取る。
The spider entraps insects in its web.