tham ô
Definition
- Verb:
- To embezzle; to misappropriate: The primary meaning of "tham ô" is to steal or illegally take money, property, or assets that one has been entrusted with, especially in a public office or official capacity.
- To pilfer; to peculate: It refers to the act of stealing public funds or state property in a deceitful, often secretive manner.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Viên chức đó bị bắt vì tham ô công quỹ. (That official was arrested for embezzling public funds.)
- Họ đã tham ô một số tiền rất lớn. (They misappropriated a very large sum of money.)
Advanced Usage
- "tham ô, tham nhũng": This phrase pairs "tham ô" (embezzlement) with "tham nhũng" (corruption), often used together to describe broader corrupt practices.
- Cuộc điều tra tập trung vào hành vi tham ô, tham nhũng. (The investigation focused on acts of embezzlement and corruption.)
Variants and Related Words
Tham nhũng (n/v): corruption; to be corrupt. A broader term encompassing bribery, abuse of power, and embezzlement.
- Luật pháp nghiêm trị tham nhũng. (The law severely punishes corruption.)
Biển thủ (v): to embezzle; to peculate. A close synonym, often used in legal contexts.
- Bị cáo bị buộc tội biển thủ tài sản. (The defendant is charged with embezzlement of property.)
Synonyms
- Embezzle: To steal (money or assets) placed in one's trust.
- Misappropriate: To dishonestly or illegally take something for one's own use.
- Peculate: To embezzle, especially public money.
Related Idioms
- "Tham ô công quỹ": This is a common collocation meaning "to embezzle public funds" or "to pilfer the state treasury."
- Vụ án tham ô công quỹ gây chấn động. (The public funds embezzlement case caused an uproar.)