vi thiềng

Definition

  1. Noun (Archaic):

    • A humble gift or offering, often presented with the specific intention of currying favor, seeking leniency, or corrupting an official. It implies a small, seemingly modest bribe or inducement.

  2. Noun (Informal/Modern):

    • A bribe; money or a gift given illicitly to someone in authority to persuade them to act in one's favor. Synonymous with "greasing someone's palm."
Usage Examples

  • Noun (Archaic):

    • Hắn mang vi thiềng đến để xin quan tha tội. (He brought a humble offering to ask the mandarin to pardon his crime.)

  • Noun (Informal):

    • Muốn việc được thông, phải có vi thiềng. (To get things approved, you must have a bribe.)
    • Anh ta đưa vi thiềng cho cảnh sát. (He gave a bribe to the police officer.)
Advanced Usage
  • The term "vi thiềng" is rarely used in contemporary formal Vietnamese. Its usage today is primarily informal, colloquial, or used for stylistic effect to evoke a historical or cynical tone regarding corruption.
Variants and Related Words

  • Đút lót (v/n): to bribe / a bribe. This is a more common modern synonym.

    • Hắn bị bắt vì tội đút lót. (He was arrested for bribery.)

  • Hối lộ (v/n): to bribe / bribery (often used in legal or serious contexts).

    • Hành vi hối lộ là phạm pháp. (Bribery is illegal.)
Synonyms
  • Bribe: money or favor given to influence someone.
  • Backhander (informal): a bribe, especially a secret one.
  • Inducement: something offered to persuade someone to do something.
Related Idioms

  • Chạy chọt, đút lót: to run around and bribe (describing the act of using connections and bribes to get something done).

    • Công ty đó chạy chọt, đút lót để giành dự án. (That company used connections and bribes to win the project.)

  • Gạo chợ, nước sông, chạy công việc thì phải có vi thiềng: (An old saying: "Market rice, river water, to get things done you must have a bribe.") Highlights the cynical view of bribery as a necessary part of transactions.