蝕 (shí) - Erode, corrode, wear away & to lose (as in financial loss)

蝕Tone 2

shí ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

蝕 · shí

Erode, corrode, wear away;

to lose (as in financial loss);

eclipse (astronomical).

Erode, corrode, wear awayto lose (as in financial loss)eclipse (astronomical).

Usage highlights

CorrosionErosionLunar eclipseSolar eclipseFinancial lossCorrosive

Synonyms

  • 腐— rot, decay
  • 損— damage, loss
  • 耗— consume, deplete

Antonyms

  • 增— increase, grow
  • 盈— surplus, profit
  • 補— repair, replenish

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Acid corrodes metal (酸蝕金属).
  • The company suffered financial losses (公司虧蝕).
  • A lunar eclipse occurs (月蝕 occurs).
  • Coastal erosion is a problem (海岸侵蝕).

Collocations

  • Corrosion(腐蝕)
  • Erosion(侵蝕)
  • Lunar eclipse(月蝕)
  • Solar eclipse(日蝕)
  • Financial loss(虧蝕)
  • Corrosive(蝕刻)

Idioms

  • Worms hollowing out a beam(蠹蝕梁柱)
  • Corroding and wearing away(侵蝕剝削)
  • Wind erosion and water wear(風蝕水蝕)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese astronomy, 蝕 refers to eclipses, historically seen as omens.
  • The character combines 'insect' (虫) and 'food/vessel' (食), suggesting something being eaten away.
  • In finance, 蝕 carries the negative connotation of loss or deficit.

FAQ