ăn lễ
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To accept a bribe: The primary meaning of "ăn lễ" is to secretly accept money or gifts in exchange for performing an official duty or providing a favor, especially within a bureaucratic or corrupt context. It implies illicit gain through one's position.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Viên chức đó bị bắt vì tội ăn lễ. (That official was arrested for the crime of taking bribes.)
- Trong bộ phim, nhân vật quan lại thường xuyên ăn lễ của dân. (In the movie, the mandarin characters regularly accept bribes from the people.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used in historical or critical contexts describing corruption. It is less common in modern everyday speech than the synonym "ăn hối lộ," but retains a strong connotation of systemic, traditional graft.
Variants and Related Words
- Ăn hối lộ (v): to take a bribe. This is a more direct and contemporary synonym.
- Ăn đút (v): to take a bribe, to be bribed. This is an older, colloquial synonym closely related to "ăn lễ."
Synonyms
- To take a bribe: The most direct equivalent.
- To be bribed: To accept a bribe.
- To be on the take (idiomatic): To regularly accept bribes.
Related Idioms
- Ăn của đút: A variant emphasizing the act of accepting the proffered bribe.
- Không thể tin những kẻ ăn của đút lại nắm quyền. (One cannot believe that those who take bribes are in power.)