Translation guide
The process of metal or materials being gradually destroyed by chemical reactions, often with moisture or chemicals. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 腐食 (ふしょく). For rusting of iron specifically, use 錆び (さび) or the verb 錆びる (さびる). In technical contexts, 腐食 is standard, while 浸食 (しんしょく) can refer to erosion by water or wind. Be careful not to confuse with similar-sounding words.
The gradual destruction of metal or other materials due to chemical reactions, often with moisture, acids, or environmental exposure.
The standard technical and general term for corrosion of metals and materials. Used in engineering, chemistry, and everyday contexts.
This pipe is corroding.
We painted it to prevent metal corrosion.
The verb form meaning 'to corrode'. Used for both transitive and intransitive senses depending on context.
Acid corrodes metal.
Iron corrodes easily with moisture.
Specifically refers to rust (iron oxide) on iron or steel. More common in everyday language than 腐食 when talking about rust.
The bicycle chain got rusty.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to rust'. Used for iron and steel becoming rusty.
This knife has rusted.
Refers to erosion, often by water or wind, but can also be used for chemical corrosion in geology or material science. Less common for metal corrosion.
The coastal rocks are being eroded by waves.
The gradual destruction or weakening of something non-physical, like trust, values, or institutions.
Can be used metaphorically, similar to English, to describe moral decay or the erosion of trust. Often in written or formal contexts.
Corruption leads to the corrosion of society.
Verb meaning 'to eat into' or 'to undermine'. Often used for diseases, doubts, or negative forces gradually destroying something. More literary than 腐食.
Means 'corruption' or 'depravity', often moral. Not a direct translation of 'corrosion' but can be used in contexts of moral decay.
腐食 (ふしょく) is the general term for corrosion of any material by chemical reaction. 錆 (さび) specifically means rust on iron or steel. Use 腐食 for technical discussions or non-iron metals, and 錆 for everyday rust on iron objects.
腐敗 (ふはい) means 'decay' or 'rot' of organic matter, not corrosion of metal. Using 腐敗 for metal corrosion would be incorrect.
Distrust was corroding their relationship.
権力の堕落は組織を腐食させる。
The corruption of power corrodes the organization.