How to Say "bribe" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “bribe” is “mordida” — use 'mordida' when referring to an informal payment made to an official, often to overlook a rule or avoid a penalty.
mordida
mor-DEE-dahmoɾˈðiða
Examples
El policía aceptó una mordida para dejar pasar el coche.
The police officer accepted a bribe to let the car pass.
El oficial le pidió una mordida para evitar la multa.
The officer asked him for a bribe to avoid the fine.
Aquí no aceptamos mordidas.
We don't accept bribes here.
La corrupción y la mordida son problemas graves.
Corruption and bribery are serious problems.
The Logic of the Slang
This meaning comes from the idea of the official taking a 'bite' out of your money or the transaction.
Formal Contexts
Mistake: “El político fue arrestado por una mordida.”
Correction: El político fue arrestado por soborno.
soborno
so-BOR-nosoˈβoɾno
Examples
El soborno de funcionarios públicos es un delito grave.
The bribery of public officials is a serious crime.
El empresario fue arrestado por ofrecer un soborno al policía.
The businessman was arrested for offering a bribe to the police officer.
Hay leyes muy estrictas contra el soborno en este país.
There are very strict laws against bribery in this country.
Using the word as a thing
As a noun, 'soborno' is masculine. Use it with 'un' (a) or 'el' (the) to talk about the actual money or gift being offered.
The thing vs. The action
Mistake: “Using 'soborno' when you mean 'to bribe'.”
Correction: Use 'soborno' for the money itself, but use 'sobornar' for the action of giving it.
Informal vs. Formal Context
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