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March 24, 2026
蚀(蝕)shí(shi2)
The character 蚀 (shí) refers to the action of nibbling away at something, often in a gradual or insidious manner. It can describe physical erosion, such as how water wears away rock, or metaphorical erosion, such as financial losses or trust being undermined over time.
Strokes9Radical饣Frequency#17679DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
蚀 is often used in literary and philosophical contexts in China to describe the slow decay of moral values or societal structures, reflecting the importance of maintaining integrity over time.
Memory Tip
Imagine a small insect nibbling on a piece of wood. The insect represents the radical '虫' (insect), while the '食' component signifies eating. Visualize this insect slowly eroding the wood, which connects the character's meaning to the idea of gradual destruction.
Meanings of 蚀
shí(shi2)
1to nibble away at sth
2to eat into
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 蚀
蚀Simplified
蝕Traditional
9Strokes
饣Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#17679Frequency Rank
Podcast: 蚀
Podcast: 蚀
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AI Study Notes for 蚀
Quick Contrast
蚀 (shí) vs 削 (xuē) — use 蚀 for gradual or insidious erosion, while 削 refers to cutting or shaving off material more directly.
Usage Notes
蚀 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about deterioration. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; the tone is important as it is pronounced with a rising tone (shí). Common collocations include '侵蚀' (qīnshí - to invade/erode) and '腐蚀' (fǔshí - to corrode).
HSK Study Tips
Although 蚀 is not included in the HSK levels, it is related to HSK vocabulary through themes of decay and erosion. Students should focus on its usage in context and practice combining it with other verbs that describe change or deterioration.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 蚀 with 食 (shí - to eat) due to the similar pronunciation and components. Remember that 蚀 specifically involves the idea of erosion or gradual wear, unlike 食, which is a more general term for eating.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 蚀
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How Well Do You Know 蚀?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 蚀 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 蚀 (shí) refers to the action of nibbling away at something, often in a gradual or insidious manner. It can describe physical erosion, such as how water wears away rock, or metaphorical erosion, such as financial losses or trust being undermined over time.
When to use 蚀
蚀 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in discussions about deterioration. Be cautious not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; the tone is important as it is pronounced with a rising tone (shí). Common collocations include '侵蚀' (qīnshí - to invade/erode) and '腐蚀' (fǔshí - to corrode).
蚀 or something close to it
蚀 (shí) vs 削 (xuē) — use 蚀 for gradual or insidious erosion, while 削 refers to cutting or shaving off material more directly.
What learners get wrong
Learners might confuse 蚀 with 食 (shí - to eat) due to the similar pronunciation and components. Remember that 蚀 specifically involves the idea of erosion or gradual wear, unlike 食, which is a more general term for eating.
Write 蚀
蚀
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Grammar Patterns of 蚀
蚀 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这会让肥沃的土壤暴露在外，使其容易受到侵____。
This leaves fertile soil unprotected and prone to erosion.
