Translation guide
The process of being gradually worn away, whether physically (by water, wind, etc.) or metaphorically (of values, trust, etc.).
The natural process where earth or rock is worn away by water, wind, or other elements.
The standard term for physical erosion, especially geological. Often used in scientific or news contexts.
海岸の浸食が進んでいる。
Coastal erosion is progressing.
大雨で土壌の浸食が起きた。
Heavy rain caused soil erosion.
Variant kanji for 浸食, often used interchangeably. 侵 can imply 'invasion', so it's also common in metaphorical contexts.
川の侵食によって崖が崩れた。
The cliff collapsed due to river erosion.
Specifically water erosion. Technical term, less common in everyday language.
この地域では水食が深刻だ。
Water erosion is serious in this area.
Wind erosion. Also technical.
砂漠では風食が地形を変える。
In deserts, wind erosion changes the landscape.
The gradual weakening or destruction of something abstract.
Also used metaphorically for the gradual loss of intangible things. Often appears as ～の浸食.
自由の浸食を許してはいけない。
We must not allow the erosion of freedom.
信頼の浸食は回復が難しい。
The erosion of trust is hard to recover from.
Often preferred for metaphorical erosion because 侵 suggests encroachment. Common in news and formal writing.
Verb meaning 'to eat into' or 'to undermine'. Often used for diseases, corruption, or gradual destruction. More literary.
Means 'to cause to collapse'. Can be used when erosion leads to complete breakdown, but it's more direct and less about gradual process.
その政策は社会の基盤を崩壊させた。
That policy eroded (collapsed) the foundations of society.
The loss of tooth enamel due to acid.
The medical term for dental erosion. Literally 'acid-eroded teeth'. Used by dentists.
酸蝕歯は酸性の飲み物が原因で起こる。
Dental erosion is caused by acidic drinks.
General phrase meaning 'erosion of teeth'. Understandable but less technical than 酸蝕歯.
歯の浸食を防ぐには、食後に水を飲むといい。
To prevent tooth erosion, it's good to drink water after meals.
Both are read しんしょく and often interchangeable. 浸食 uses the character for 'immerse/soak', emphasizing gradual wearing away by water or time. 侵食 uses 'invade', emphasizing encroachment. In geology, 浸食 is more common; in metaphorical contexts, 侵食 is often preferred but both are used.
海岸浸食 / 海岸侵食
coastal erosion (both acceptable)
The katakana word エロージョン exists but is mainly used in technical fields like engineering or finance. For everyday physical or metaphorical erosion, use 浸食/侵食.
民主主義の侵食が懸念されている。
The erosion of democracy is a concern.
汚職が組織を蝕んでいる。
Corruption is eroding the organization.
不安が心を蝕む。
Anxiety erodes the heart/mind.