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.
Coastal erosion is progressing.
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.
The cliff collapsed due to river erosion.
Specifically water erosion. Technical term, less common in everyday language.
Water erosion is serious in this area.
Wind erosion. Also technical.
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.
We must not allow the erosion of freedom.
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.
The loss of tooth enamel due to acid.
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.
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.
The erosion of trust is hard to recover from.
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.
Anxiety erodes the heart/mind.
That policy eroded (collapsed) the foundations of society.
To prevent tooth erosion, it's good to drink water after meals.