lễ tâm

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A "sincere gift" or "heartfelt offering," typically used ironically to describe a bribe or corrupt payment disguised as a genuine gift or token of respect, given by civilians to officials or authorities.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • Để được cấp phép nhanh, ông ta phải chuẩn bị một món "lễ tâm" cho viên chức. (To get the permit quickly, he had to prepare a "sincere gift" for the official.)
    • "Lễ tâm" trong câu chuyện đó thực chất là hối lộ. (The "heartfelt offering" in that story was essentially a bribe.)
Advanced Usage
  • The term is inherently advanced due to its ironic and critical social commentary. It is used to sarcastically highlight the corruption where bribes are euphemistically framed as voluntary, respectful gifts.
    • Văn hóa "lễ tâm" đã trở thành một vấn đề nhức nhối trong bộ máy hành chính. (The culture of "sincere gifting" has become a thorny issue in the administrative machinery.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Hối lộ (n, v): bribe, bribery. The direct and legal term for corrupt payments.
    • Hành vi hối lộ là phạm pháp. (The act of bribery is illegal.)
  • Phong bì (n): envelope. Often used as a metonym for a cash bribe delivered in an envelope.
    • Anh ta nhận một phong bì dày từ nhà thầu. (He received a thick envelope from the contractor.)
Synonyms
  • Bribe: A sum of money or favor given illicitly to influence someone's actions.
  • Backhander: Informal term for a bribe.
  • Kickback: A return of a portion of a payment, often as a result of a secret agreement.
Related Idioms
  • Đút lót: to bribe, to grease someone's palm. A common colloquial verb for giving bribes.
    • Hắn tìm cách đút lót để được thăng chức. (He tried to bribe his way to a promotion.)
  • Của đút, của thụt: (slang) ill-gotten gains or bribes.
    • Sống bằng của đút thì không thể yên ổn. (You cannot live peacefully from ill-gotten gains.)