Meanings of 贿
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About 贿
Podcast: 贿
Podcast: 贿
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AI Study Notes for 贿
贿 (huì) vs 行贿 (xínghuì) — use 贿 for the general act of bribery, while 行贿 specifically refers to the act of giving a bribe.
Be careful to use 贿 in contexts related to corruption or unethical behavior; it carries a strong negative connotation. Common collocations include 贿赂 (huìlù, to bribe) and 贿选 (huìxuǎn, to bribe for votes). Remember that the tone is crucial: 'huì' (贿) is fourth tone, distinct from similar-sounding words.
Although 贿 is not specifically listed in the HSK levels, it is relevant for learners at the advanced level who are discussing governance, law, and ethics. Students should also focus on related vocabulary like 腐败 (fǔbài, corruption) and 受贿 (shòuhuì, to receive a bribe).
Learners often confuse 贿 with other characters related to wealth or gifts, such as 赠 (zèng, to gift). For example, saying '我给他贿钱' (wǒ gěi tā huì qián) incorrectly implies giving money as a gift rather than a bribe; the correct phrase for bribery context is '我给他贿赂'.
Pronunciation of 贿
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Etymology of 贿
To possess 有 wealth 贝
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 贿
- 1The giveawayTo possess 有 wealth 贝
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 贿? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 贿?
Decomposition of 贿
Identify the Components
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How to say bribe in Chinese
“bribe” in Chinese is贿
The character 贿 (huì) refers to the act of offering money or gifts to influence someone's actions, typically in a corrupt manner. It is commonly used in legal and ethical discussions about corruption and misconduct in various contexts, such as politics and business.
When to use 贿
Be careful to use 贿 in contexts related to corruption or unethical behavior; it carries a strong negative connotation. Common collocations include 贿赂 (huìlù, to bribe) and 贿选 (huìxuǎn, to bribe for votes). Remember that the tone is crucial: 'huì' (贿) is fourth tone, distinct from similar-sounding words.
贿 or something close to it
贿 (huì) vs 行贿 (xínghuì) — use 贿 for the general act of bribery, while 行贿 specifically refers to the act of giving a bribe.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 贿 with other characters related to wealth or gifts, such as 赠 (zèng, to gift). For example, saying '我给他贿钱' (wǒ gěi tā huì qián) incorrectly implies giving money as a gift rather than a bribe; the correct phrase for bribery context is '我给他贿赂'.
Write 贿
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Practice writing 贿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 贿
贿 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他被指控滥用秘密的政府行____基金，金额达1,750万美元。
He's accused of misusing $5 million from a secret government slush fund.
Example Sentences for 贿 (5)
Cultural Notes for 贿
In Western cultures, bribery is also frowned upon, but the legal definitions and consequences can vary significantly compared to China's strict anti-corruption laws.
Word Family of 贿
Compound Meaning
What does 贿赂 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 贿
贿 (huì) refers to bribery in general, while 行贿 (xínghuì) specifically means to offer a bribe.
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