Encroach on Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To gradually move into or take over someone else's space, rights, or property without permission.
Usage & Nuances
Formal or semi-formal. Common in legal, property, or territory contexts. Often collocates with 'land', 'rights', 'freedom', or 'privacy'. Implies a slow, subtle intrusion rather than a sudden one.
Spanish: invadir - usurparPortuguese (BR): invadir - avançar sobrePortuguese (PT): invadir - usurparChinese (Simplified): 侵犯 - 侵占Chinese (Traditional): 侵犯 - 侵佔Hindi: अतिक्रमण करना - हस्तक्षेप करनाArabic: يتعدى على - ينتهكBengali: অনুপ্রবেশ করা - দখল করা (অবৈধভাবে)Russian: посягать на - вторгаться наJapanese: 侵害する - 侵入するVietnamese: xâm phạm - lấn chiếmKorean: 침해하다 - 침범하다Turkish: tecavüz etmek - ihlal etmekUrdu: دخل اندازی کرنا - تجاوز کرناIndonesian: merangsek ke - menyerobot - mengganggu
Example Sentences
Some people feel that new laws encroach on their personal freedom.
natural
If you keep making noise, you'll encroach on everyone's concentration.
natural
The new building encroaches on the neighbor's land.
basic
We should not encroach on other people's privacy.
basic
His work hours often encroach on his family time.
basic
Over the years, weeds began to encroach on the path through the garden.
natural