侵蚀
The process of eroding or being eroded by natural agents; or the gradual destruction/diminution of something like rights or value.
Examples
3 of 5海水长期侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
The seawater has been eroding the rocks along the shore for a long time.
通货膨胀正在侵蚀人们的储蓄购买力。
Inflation is eroding the purchasing power of people's savings.
这种不公平的竞争环境会侵蚀整个行业的信誉。
This unfair competitive environment will erode the credibility of the entire industry.
Word Family
Memory Tip
侵 (qīn) means to invade/encroach; 蚀 (shí) means to eat away. Encroaching and eating away bit by bit.
Quick Quiz
如果没有森林的保护,雨水会迅速___山坡上的泥土。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 侵蚀
Examples
海水长期侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
everydayThe seawater has been eroding the rocks along the shore for a long time.
通货膨胀正在侵蚀人们的储蓄购买力。
academicInflation is eroding the purchasing power of people's savings.
这种不公平的竞争环境会侵蚀整个行业的信誉。
businessThis unfair competitive environment will erode the credibility of the entire industry.
我们必须保护宪法权利不被非法侵蚀。
formalWe must protect constitutional rights from being illegally eroded.
雨水把墙角的油漆都给侵蚀掉了。
informalThe rainwater has eroded the paint at the corner of the wall.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
海岸侵蚀
coastal erosion
缓慢侵蚀
slow erosion
化学侵蚀
chemical erosion
Often Confused With
腐蚀 (corrosion) is usually chemical; 侵蚀 (erosion) is usually mechanical or metaphorical (gradual loss).
Usage Notes
Common in environmental science and economic news regarding the 'erosion' of value/rights.
Common Mistakes
Avoid using it for sudden destruction; it implies a slow, gradual process.
Memory Tip
侵 (qīn) means to invade/encroach; 蚀 (shí) means to eat away. Encroaching and eating away bit by bit.
Word Origin
From '侵' (intrude) and '蚀' (eat/corrode).
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
如果没有森林的保护,雨水会迅速___山坡上的泥土。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 侵蚀
Related Vocabulary
More environment words
源头
B1The source or starting point of something, such as a river, a problem, or a piece of information.
严峻
B1Very serious, stern, or severe. It is typically used to describe situations, challenges, or tests that are difficult to handle.
耗费
B1To use up or spend a lot of resources, such as time, money, or energy, often in a way that suggests a significant amount is required.
保护
B1To keep safe from harm or injury. It can apply to people, the environment, cultural heritage, or rights.
维持
B1To make something continue in the same way or at the same level as before. It often refers to order, living standards, or physical states.
能源
B1Sources of power, such as fuel or electricity, used to provide light and heat or to work machines.
多样性
B1The state of being diverse; variety, especially in species or cultural backgrounds. It refers to the range of different things or people within a particular group or area.
损害
B1To cause physical harm to something so as to impair its value or usefulness; or to cause injury to someone's health or reputation.
交通
B1The system of vehicles and pedestrians moving along roads or through the air; transportation. It frequently appears in discussions about urban planning and pollution.
污染
B1The introduction of harmful materials into the environment, such as air, water, or soil. It is a high-frequency topic in academic tests.
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