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贿赂 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
贿赂huìlùto bribeHSK 7, v, rank #4534, Hard
贿赂huìlùa bribeHSK 7, v, rank #4534, Hard
huìlù(hui4lu4) T4
  1. 1to bribe
  2. 2a bribe
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March 24, 2026
贿赂(賄賂)huìlù(hui4lu4)

贿赂 (huìlù) refers to the act of giving or receiving something of value to influence someone's actions, typically in a corrupt manner. This term is commonly used in legal and political contexts, highlighting unethical practices in business and governance.

Frequency#4534DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, bribery has significant social and legal repercussions. Discussions around 贿赂 often reflect broader societal issues regarding trust in public institutions and the rule of law.

Memory Tip

Think of 贿 (huì) as a 'huge' amount of money being 'lu' (流, liú, to flow) to someone in power. Imagine a river of cash flowing to a politician to remember the meaning of bribery.

Meanings of 贿赂

huìlù(hui4lu4)
1to bribe
2a bribe
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 贿赂

贿赂Simplified
賄賂Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4534Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 贿赂

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Podcast: 贿赂

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AI Study Notes for 贿赂

Quick Contrast

贿赂 (huìlù) vs 赠送 (zèngsòng) — use 贿赂 for illegal or unethical exchanges, while 赠送 refers to legal and generous gifting.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 贿 (huì) as a 'huge' amount of money being 'lu' (流, liú, to flow) to someone in power. Imagine a river of cash flowing to a politician to remember the meaning of bribery.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely. This term is primarily used in formal contexts, especially in discussions about corruption. Common collocations include '贿赂行为' (bribery behavior) and '接受贿赂' (to accept a bribe).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, focus on understanding its implications in both legal and social contexts. Connect it with other words related to corruption and ethics, such as 腐败 (fǔbài, corruption) and 违法 (wéifǎ, illegal).

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, bribery has significant social and legal repercussions. Discussions around 贿赂 often reflect broader societal issues regarding trust in public institutions and the rule of law.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 贿赂 with 赠品 (zèngpǐn, gifts), mistakenly using it in contexts where gifts are appropriate. For example, saying '我给他贿赂他的生日礼物' (I gave him a bribe for his birthday gift) is incorrect; it should be '我给他生日礼物' without implying bribery.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 贿赂

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Component Characters

贿huìbribe
10 strokes
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bribe
10 strokes
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Write 贿赂

贿

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

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Grammar Patterns of 贿赂

贿赂 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 2 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.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

他被指称在任时收受____。

It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office.

Example Sentences for 贿赂 (1)

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1
他被指称在任时收受贿赂。

tā bèi zhǐ chēng zài rèn shí shōu shòu huì lù。

It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office.

Cultural Notes for 贿赂

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, bribery has significant social and legal repercussions. Discussions around 贿赂 often reflect broader societal issues regarding trust in public institutions and the rule of law.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

Bribery is often condemned in Western cultures, but the methods and consequences can vary; in some cultures, it may be seen as a normal part of doing business.

Frequently Asked Questions about 贿赂

While it is frequently used in legal discussions, 贿赂 can also refer to general unethical practices in business and personal relationships.