腐食する
解説 Definition
金属が水分や化学物質により徐々にさびたり劣化すること。比喩的に内部から蝕むことも指す。
To corrode means to slowly destroy or damage a material, especially metal, through a chemical reaction. It is commonly used when talking about rust, acid, salt water, or other substances that wear a surface away over time. It can also be used more generally for things that gradually weaken trust or values.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
erode「少しずつ削る」を知っていると覚えやすい語で、corrode は「水分や化学物質で、表面ではなく内側までじわじわ傷む」感じ。salt water corrodes metal, acid corroded the pipe のように、金属・配管・電池端子などと相性がいい。rust は主に鉄の赤さびを指しやすいが、corrode はもっと広く使える。比喩では trust, morals, confidence などを“内部からむしばむ”ときにも使う。
Link `corrode` with `erode`, because both suggest slow damage over time. `Corrode` is especially common with metal, pipes, batteries, salt water, and acid, so picture damage spreading into the material little by little. `Rust` is narrower, but `corrode` works more widely. It can also be used metaphorically for things like trust or confidence being damaged from within.
例文
Saltwater can corrode metal structures if they are not properly protected.
塩水は適切に保護されていない金属構造物を腐食させることがある。
Years of resentment had begun to corrode their once-strong friendship.
何年もの恨みがかつて強かった二人の友情を蝕み始めていた。
The acid rain caused the bronze statue to corrode and turn green over time.
酸性雨により、青銅の像は時間とともに腐食して緑色に変わった。
corrode の類義語・関連語
corrode の語源・成り立ち Etymology
corrode はラテン語 corrodere に由来し、com-/cor-（すっかり）+ rodere（かじる）に分けられます。もともと「少しずつかじって削る」感覚なので、金属がじわじわ傷み「腐食する」という意味になり、関連語に rodent、erode があります。
Corrode comes from Latin corrodere, from com-/cor- meaning "thoroughly" and rodere meaning "to gnaw." It first suggested wearing something away little by little, as if by biting. That idea later developed into the modern sense of metal or other material being slowly eaten away. Related English words include rodent and erode.
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