The Vietnamese word "ăn mòn" is a verb that means "to eat away," "to corrode," or "to erode." It is often used in contexts related to materials, especially metals, that are damaged or worn away due to chemical reactions, like rusting or being affected by acids.
Literal Example: Kim loại bị axit ăn mòn.
(Metals are corroded by acids.)
Metaphorical Example: Lòng ganh tị gay gắt đã ăn mòn tình bạn lâu nay của họ.
(A bitter envy has corroded their long-standing friendship.)
In advanced contexts, "ăn mòn" can be used in discussions about environmental science, chemistry, or even in literature to illustrate the gradual decline of relationships or situations.
While the primary meaning relates to physical corrosion, "ăn mòn" can also be used metaphorically to describe emotional or social situations, such as jealousy or resentment that slowly deteriorates a relationship.