Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
受贿 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
受贿shòuhuìto accept a bribeHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #16968, Very Hard
受贿shòuhuìbriberyHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #16968, Very Hard
shòuhuì(shou4hui4)shou hui T4
  1. 1to accept a bribe
  2. 2bribery
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

受贿(受賄)shòuhuì(shou4hui4)

受贿 refers to the act of accepting a bribe, usually in the context of corruption or unethical practices. This term is commonly used in legal and political discussions, highlighting issues of integrity and accountability in various sectors.

Strokes18Frequency#16968DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 受贿 is a serious offense and is often highlighted in news reports about government officials or corporate leaders. Anti-corruption campaigns in China have gained significant attention in recent years, making this term particularly relevant.

Memory tip

Imagine a person '受' (receiving) a '贿' (bribe) in a shady alley. The character '受' resembles a person with arms outstretched, ready to accept something, while '贿' has components that hint at wealth or money, making it easy to remember as 'receiving money under the table'.

Meanings of 受贿

shòuhuì(shou4hui4)
1to accept a bribe
2bribery
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 受贿 means.

About 受贿

受贿Simplified
受賄Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 受贿

JasonAmy

Podcast: 受贿

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 受贿

Quick Contrast

贿赂 (huìlù) - use 受贿 when focusing on the act of receiving a bribe, while 贿赂 emphasizes the bribe itself.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 受贿 with bribery in a more general sense; it specifically refers to the act of receiving a bribe. This term is formal and primarily used in legal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

Although 受贿 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary lists, it connects to discussions about ethics, legality, and governance found in HSK Level 5 and above. Students should focus on the context in which this term appears, especially in news articles or legal documents.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 受贿 with 贿赂, mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我受贿他' (I accept a bribe from him) should be corrected to '我贿赂他' if they mean to say 'I bribe him'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 受贿

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 受贿, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 受贿 to you

Let me explain 受贿 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 受贿 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 受贿?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 受贿 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

受shòuto receive
HSK 38 strokes又
View full entry
贿huìbribe
10 strokes贝
View full entry

How to say to accept a bribe in Chinese

“to accept a bribe” in Chinese is受贿shòuhuì

受贿 refers to the act of accepting a bribe, usually in the context of corruption or unethical practices. This term is commonly used in legal and political discussions, highlighting issues of integrity and accountability in various sectors.

When to use 受贿

Be careful not to confuse 受贿 with bribery in a more general sense; it specifically refers to the act of receiving a bribe. This term is formal and primarily used in legal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation.

受贿 or something close to it

贿赂 (huìlù) - use 受贿 when focusing on the act of receiving a bribe, while 贿赂 emphasizes the bribe itself.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 受贿 with 贿赂, mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我受贿他' (I accept a bribe from him) should be corrected to '我贿赂他' if they mean to say 'I bribe him'.

Write 受贿

受
贿

Practice writing 受贿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 受贿?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Cultural Notes for 受贿

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While bribery exists in many cultures, the social stigma and legal repercussions associated with 受贿 are often more pronounced in China, reflecting a strong societal push against corruption.

Frequently asked questions about 受贿

受贿 refers specifically to receiving a bribe, while 贿赂 is the general term for bribery, including both giving and receiving.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 受贿?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab