Definition
侵蚀 means 'to erode' or 'to corrode' in a literal sense (e.g., wind eroding rocks), and also 'to siphon off' or 'to encroach upon' in a figurative sense (e.g., corrupt practices eroding public funds). You can use it for both physical and abstract erosion.
v.
to erodeto corrodeto siphon off (funds)to encroach upon (rights, interests)
Examples
- 侵蚀。Yǔshuǐ búduàn qīn shí zhe gǔlǎo de chéngqiáng.Rainwater continuously erodes the ancient city wall.
- 侵蚀。Fǔbài xíngwéi yánzhòng qīn shí le zhèngfǔ de gōngxìnlì.Corrupt practices have severely eroded the government's credibility.
- 侵蚀。Tāmen tōngguò xūjiǎ hétóng qīn shí gōngsī zījīn.They siphoned off company funds through fake contracts.
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