corrupción
/koh-roop-SYOHN/
corruption
Corrupción (corruption): Political or moral dishonesty, often depicted as a bribe.
corrupción(noun)
corruption
?political/moral dishonesty
bribery
?as a specific act
,dishonesty
?general moral decay
📝 In Action
El presidente prometió acabar con la corrupción en el sistema.
B2The president promised to end corruption in the system.
La corrupción es un problema que afecta la confianza pública.
C1Corruption is a problem that affects public trust.
Hubo acusaciones de corrupción en la construcción del nuevo puente.
B2There were accusations of bribery in the construction of the new bridge.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Noun Rule
Even though many Spanish words ending in '-ión' are feminine, remember that 'corrupción' always takes the feminine article: 'la corrupción'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
This word is often used in serious discussions about politics, law, and ethics. Use it when discussing large-scale systemic issues, not just minor personal dishonesty.
Corrupción (decay): Physical deterioration, such as a rotting piece of fruit.
corrupción(noun)
decay
?physical deterioration
spoilage
?of food or organic material
,putrefaction
?biological breakdown
📝 In Action
La corrupción de la fruta se aceleró por el calor.
C1The spoilage of the fruit accelerated due to the heat.
Tuvieron que reemplazar la viga debido a la corrupción de la madera por la humedad.
C2They had to replace the beam due to the decay of the wood from moisture.
⭐ Usage Tips
Technical Usage
When referring to physical decay, 'corrupción' is a formal choice. In everyday speech, speakers usually prefer simpler words like 'se pudrió' (it rotted) or 'descomposición'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: corrupción
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'corrupción' in its less common, physical sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'corrupción' only refer to political bribery?
No. While its main use today is for political or institutional dishonesty (like bribery or misuse of funds), it can also be used formally to mean physical decay, such as when wood or food spoils.
How do I know the related verb 'corromper' is used correctly?
'Corromper' (to corrupt/to spoil) is often used reflexively as 'corromperse' to mean something or someone is becoming spoiled or morally damaged. Example: 'La fruta se corrompió' (The fruit spoiled).