贿

賄

huì

有 + 贝

Definitions

huì (verb,noun) bribe; to bribe

Etymology

To possess 有 wealth 贝

About

The character 贿 (賄 in traditional form) is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic component is the shell radical 贝 (貝), which historically denoted wealth or currency due to the use of cowrie shells as money. The phonetic component is 有 (to have), which also subtly reinforces the concept of possession. Its original meaning referred to gifts of wealth or property. Over time, the meaning narrowed and became pejorative, coming to signify a bribe, the illicit transfer of valuables intended to corrupt or exert unlawful influence.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他拒绝贿赂官员。

Tā jùjué huìlù guānyuán.

He refused to bribe the official.

贿赂是一种严重的罪行。

Huìlù shì yī zhǒng yánzhòng de zuìxíng.

Bribery is a serious crime.

那名官员因受贿被逮捕。

Nà míng guānyuán yīn shòuhuì bèi dàibǔ.

That official was arrested for taking bribes.

政府严厉打击行贿行为。

Zhèngfǔ yánlì dǎjí xínghuì xíngwéi.

The government severely cracks down on acts of bribery.

如果企图贿选，将会受到法律严惩。

Rúguǒ qǐtú huìxuǎn, jiāng huì shòudào fǎlǜ yánchéng.

If one attempts to bribe in an election, they will face severe legal punishment.

他行贿是为了获得那份合同。

Tā xínghuì shì wèile huòdé nà fèn hétong.

He bribed in order to obtain that contract.

这个腐败网络涉及巨额贿款。

Zhège fǔbài wǎngluò shèjí jù'é huìkuǎn.

This corruption network involves huge sums of bribery money.

抵制任何形式的贿络是公民的责任。

Dǐzhì rènhé xíngshì de huìluò shì gōngmín de zérèn.

Resisting bribery in any form is the duty of a citizen.

Related Characters

Component: 有

Component: 贝

贿