Definition

Verb: * To take a bribe; to accept a bribe: The act of a person in a position of power or authority (like an official, inspector, or manager) illegally accepting money, gifts, or favors in exchange for providing a special service, overlooking a violation, or making a favorable decision.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Viên chức đó đã bị bắt vì tội ăn hối lộ. (That official was arrested for the crime of taking bribes.)
  • Cảnh sát không được phép ăn hối lộ. (Police officers are not allowed to accept bribes.)
  • Hắn ta bị cáo buộc ăn hối lộ để cấp giấy phép xây dựng trái phép. (He is accused of taking a bribe to issue an illegal construction permit.)

Advanced Usage

• "Bị buộc tội ăn hối lộ": to be charged with/accused of taking bribes.
  • Thị trưởng bị buộc tội ăn hối lộ. (The mayor was charged with taking bribes.)
• "Vụ án ăn hối lộ": a bribery case/scandal.
  • Vụ án ăn hối lộ đó đã làm rung chuyển chính phủ. (That bribery scandal shook the government.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hối lộ (noun): Bribe; bribery.
  • Hành vi hối lộ là một tội phạm nghiêm trọng. (The act of bribery is a serious crime.)
• Đưa hối lộ (verb phrase): To offer a bribe; to bribe.
  • Công ty đã cố gắng đưa hối lộ cho thanh tra. (The company tried to bribe the inspector.)
• Tham nhũng (noun): Corruption (a broader term that includes bribery).
  • Chính phủ đang có chiến dịch chống tham nhũng. (The government is running an anti-corruption campaign.)

Synonyms

• Nhận hối lộ: To receive a bribe (a direct synonym).
• Tham ô: To embezzle; to misappropriate (specifically using entrusted funds for personal gain, often related).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Ăn của đút": (Slang, informal) Literally "to eat what is slipped/pushed in," meaning to take a bribe. This is a more colloquial and often derogatory term.
  • Quan chức đó nổi tiếng là hay ăn của đút. (That official is notorious for taking bribes.)

verb

1. to take a bribe