Definition

1. Verb:
   • To abuse one's power for personal gain; to engage in corrupt practices, especially by officials: This compound word specifically describes the act of a person, typically in a position of authority, exploiting their power to harass others and/or to extort or accept bribes for personal benefit. It implies both harassment and corruption.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Một số quan chức đã bị kết tội nhũng lạm. (Some officials were convicted of abusing their power for personal gain.)
  • Hành vi nhũng lạm của viên chức đó đã bị phanh phui. (That official's corrupt practices were exposed.)

Advanced Usage

• "tệ nạn nhũng lạm": the scourge/vice of corruption and abuse of power.
  • Chính phủ quyết tâm bài trừ tệ nạn nhũng lạm. (The government is determined to eradicate the scourge of corruption.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tham nhũng (n, v): Corruption; to be corrupt. This is a more general and common term for corruption.
  • Cuộc chiến chống tham nhũng. (The fight against corruption.)
• Lạm quyền (v): To abuse one's power/authority. This focuses specifically on the misuse of authority.
  • Không được lạm quyền khi thi hành nhiệm vụ. (Do not abuse your authority while performing your duties.)
• Hối lộ (n, v): Bribery; to bribe. This focuses on the act of giving or taking bribes.
  • Hắn ta bị bắt vì tội hối lộ. (He was arrested for bribery.)

Synonyms

• Lộng quyền: To act tyrannically, to abuse power (emphasizes arrogance and tyranny).
• Vòi vĩnh: To extort, to demand (money, favors) through harassment or intimidation.

Notes on Meaning

• "Nhũng lạm" is a formal, literary term often used in legal, administrative, or journalistic contexts to describe serious official misconduct. It is less common in everyday conversation than "tham nhũng".
• The word inherently combines two ideas: the harassment or oppression of people (nhũng) and the illicit appropriation of resources or acceptance of bribes (lạm). Therefore, a single English equivalent like "corruption" or "abuse of power" may not fully capture its dual meaning. The translation often depends on context, with phrases like "corrupt practices," "abuse of power for gain," or "extortion and bribery" being used.

1. Harass and take bribe