Translation guide
The act of gradually taking over someone else's space, rights, or territory, often in a subtle or unwanted way.
Expressing that something is physically intruding into an area where it does not belong, such as buildings, plants, or natural features.
General term for entering without permission; used for physical intrusion into a space, territory, or property.
隣の家の木がうちの敷地に侵入している。
The neighbor's tree is encroaching on our property.
Often used for natural forces like water or wind gradually wearing away land, or metaphorically for gradual encroachment.
海岸線の浸食が進んでいる。
Coastal erosion is advancing (encroaching on the land).
Literally 'silkworm eating', meaning gradual encroachment bit by bit; often used in formal or written contexts for territorial expansion.
隣国が国境を蚕食している。
The neighboring country is encroaching on the border little by little.
Describing a situation where someone's rights, privacy, or autonomy are being gradually violated or limited.
The standard term for infringement or violation of rights, privacy, or freedoms.
新しい法律はプライバシーの侵害だ。
The new law is an encroachment on privacy.
Verb phrase meaning 'to infringe upon rights'; more active than the noun 侵害.
その政策は国民の権利を侵している。
That policy is encroaching on citizens' rights.
Interference or meddling; often used when someone encroaches on another's affairs or personal matters.
Expressing that something is slowly taking over an area that was previously separate, such as work encroaching on personal time, or one department's duties expanding into another's.
Literally 'to bite into'; used figuratively for something encroaching on time, budget, or space.
残業が私の自由時間に食い込んでいる。
Overtime is encroaching on my free time.
Metaphorical use of 'erosion' for gradual encroachment in non-physical areas.
スマホの使用が睡眠時間を侵食している。
Smartphone use is encroaching on sleep time.
To expand one's territory or domain; can be used when a group or function gradually takes over new areas.
マーケティング部が営業部の領域を広げている。
The marketing department is encroaching on the sales department's territory.
侵入 (shinnyū) is for physical trespassing or intrusion into a space. 侵害 (shingai) is for violation of abstract rights or interests. Do not use 侵入 for rights violations.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'encroachment'. Choose the term based on whether it is physical, rights-related, or metaphorical. Using 侵入 for everything will sound unnatural.
親の過干渉は子供の自立を妨げる。
Excessive parental interference (encroachment) hinders a child's independence.