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soborno

so-BOR-nosoˈβoɾno

“soborno” means “bribe” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

bribe, bribery

Also: payoff, kickback
NounmB2
Mexico
A hand secretly passing a thick envelope to another person under a wooden table.

📝 In Action

El empresario fue arrestado por ofrecer un soborno al policía.

B2

The businessman was arrested for offering a bribe to the police officer.

Hay leyes muy estrictas contra el soborno en este país.

B2

There are very strict laws against bribery in this country.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cohecho (bribery (legal term))
  • mordida (bribe (informal, common in Mexico))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • aceptar un soborno – to take a bribe
  • ofrecer un soborno – to offer a bribe
  • escándalo de soborno – bribery scandal

I bribe

Also: I am bribing
VerbB2regular ar
A person offering a shiny red apple to a stern-looking guard in front of a closed gate.
gerundsobornando
past Participlesobornado
infinitivesobornar

📝 In Action

Yo no soborno a nadie; prefiero seguir las reglas.

B2

I don't bribe anyone; I prefer to follow the rules.

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedessobornaran
yosobornara
túsobornaras
vosotrossobornarais
nosotrossobornáramos
él/ella/ustedsobornara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedessobornen
yosoborne
túsobornes
vosotrossobornéis
nosotrossobornemos
él/ella/ustedsoborne

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedessobornaron
yosoborné
túsobornaste
vosotrossobornasteis
nosotrossobornamos
él/ella/ustedsobornó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedessobornaban
yosobornaba
túsobornabas
vosotrossobornabais
nosotrossobornábamos
él/ella/ustedsobornaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedessobornan
yosoborno
túsobornas
vosotrossobornáis
nosotrossobornamos
él/ella/ustedsoborna
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "soborno" in Spanish:

bribe→bribery→i bribe→kickback→payoff→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: soborno

Question 1 of 2

Which of these is the best translation for 'El juez rechazó el soborno'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
sobornar(to bribe) — Verb
sobornable(bribable / corruptible) — Adjective
sobornado(bribed / person who took a bribe) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'subornare', which means to equip or furnish secretly. It comes from 'sub' (under) and 'ornare' (to equip).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: subornFrench: subornerItalian: subornare

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'soborno' always a bad thing?

Yes, 'soborno' always implies an illegal or unethical payment to influence someone's behavior. It is never used for a legitimate tip or gift.

What's the difference between 'soborno' and 'cohecho'?

'Soborno' is the general word used by everyone. 'Cohecho' is the specific legal term used by lawyers and in courtrooms.