Inklingo

How to Say "bribery" in Spanish

English → Spanish

soborno

/so-BOR-no//soˈβoɾno/

nounB2general
Use 'soborno' when referring to the specific act of offering or receiving money or favors to influence someone, usually an official, to act dishonestly.
A hand secretly passing a thick envelope to another person under a wooden table.

Examples

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.

corrupción

nounB2general
Use 'corrupción' to describe a general state of dishonest or unethical behavior, especially by those in positions of power, which can include bribery but also other forms of misconduct.

Examples

El presidente prometió acabar con la corrupción en el sistema.

The president promised to end corruption in the system.

Soborno vs. Corrupción

Learners often use 'corrupción' when they mean the specific act of bribery. Remember that 'soborno' is the direct translation for the act of giving or receiving a bribe, while 'corrupción' is a more general term for systemic dishonesty.

Related Translations

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