noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
cannibalism (in animals); feeding on each other
Literal sense: animals of the same species eating each other. Used as a noun or with する for the action.
金魚が共食いを始めた。
The goldfish started eating each other.
この種類のクモはよく共食いする。
This type of spider often engages in cannibalism.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
cannibalization; mutually harmful competition; internecine struggle
Figurative extension: members of the same group or industry harming each other through excessive competition, often leading to mutual destruction. Common in business and political contexts.
値下げ競争は業界の共食いを招く。
Price wars lead to cannibalization within the industry.
派閥同士の共食いで組織が弱体化した。
The organization was weakened by internecine struggles among factions.