Learn a Chinese Character - 贿 (Huì - Bribe; bribe money; corrupt; give or take bribes; illicit payment; buy influence or favors; unlawful monetary transaction; induce improperly)

1. Character Basics

Radical: 贝 (bèi) - Shell/money radical

Stroke Count: 10 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Huì (Fourth tone)

3. Meaning

Basic Meaning:

• Bribe; bribe money
• Corrupt; give or take bribes
• Illicit payment

Extended Meanings:

• Buy influence or favors
• Unlawful monetary transaction
• Induce improperly

Additional Notes: "贿" is generally used in negative contexts related to corruption and illegal financial transactions. It often appears in legal and ethical discussions about integrity and accountability.

4. Common Words

• 贿赂 (huì lù) - Bribe; bribery

  他因接受贿赂被判刑。 (Tā yīn jiēshòu huìlù bèi pànxíng.)

  He was sentenced for accepting bribes.

• 受贿 (shòu huì) - Accept bribes

  政府官员受贿是严重的违法行为。 (Zhèngfǔ guānyuán shòuhuì shì yánzhòng de wéifǎ xíngwéi.)

  It is a serious illegal act for government officials to accept bribes.

• 行贿 (xíng huì) - Offer bribes

  向官员行贿是不道德的。 (Xiàng guānyuán xínghuì shì bù dàodé de.)

  It is unethical to offer bribes to officials.

• 贿选 (huì xuǎn) - Electoral bribery

  那个候选人因贿选被取消资格。 (Nàge hòuxuǎnrén yīn huìxuǎn bèi qǔxiāo zīgé.)

  That candidate was disqualified for electoral bribery.

• 贿金 (huì jīn) - Bribe money

  警方找到了大量贿金的证据。 (Jǐngfāng zhǎodàole dàliàng huìjīn de zhèngjù.)

  The police found a lot of evidence of bribe money.

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Can function as a noun or verb

Common Usage:

• As a noun: Referring to bribe money or corrupt practices (e.g., 收贿/shōu huì - Receive bribes; 贿款/huì kuǎn - Bribe money)
• As a verb: Indicating the act of bribing (e.g., 贿买/huì mǎi - Bribe to buy; 贿通/huì tōng - Bribe to get through)
• In compound words: Often combined with other characters to form words related to corruption (e.g., 贿赂/huì lù - Bribery; 贿选/huì xuǎn - Electoral bribery)

Common Structures:

• 受 + 贿: To accept bribes (e.g., 他受贿了。/Tā shòuhuìle. - He accepted bribes.)
• 行 + 贿 + 于: To offer bribes to (e.g., 他向官员行贿。/Tā xiàng guānyuán xínghuì. - He offered bribes to officials.)
• 因 + 贿 + 被: To be (punished) because of bribery (e.g., 他因贿赂被起诉。/Tā yīn huìlù bèi qǐsù. - He was prosecuted for bribery.)

Usage Notes: "贿" is almost exclusively used in negative contexts. It is important to note that bribery is illegal and unethical in all societies, including China.

6. Cultural Background

Attitudes Toward Corruption in Chinese Culture: Traditional Chinese culture places great emphasis on integrity and moral conduct. The Confucian concept of "righteousness" (义/yì) emphasizes doing what is morally right rather than pursuing personal gain through corrupt means.

Historical Perspective: Throughout Chinese history, bribery and corruption have been serious social issues. Many historical texts and literary works criticize corrupt officials and praise those who uphold integrity and justice.

Modern Context: In contemporary China, the government has implemented strict anti-corruption measures to combat bribery and ensure clean governance. These efforts reflect the continued importance of ethical conduct in Chinese society.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

1. Component Analysis: "贿" consists of "贝" (bèi - shell/money radical) and "有" (yǒu - have). Remember that having (有) money (贝) in an improper way relates to bribes.
2. Pronunciation Association: The pronunciation "huì" sounds similar to "way" in English. Remember that taking bribes is not the right "way" to get things done.
3. Image Association: Picture someone secretly handing over money in exchange for favors, which represents the concept of bribery.
4. Vocabulary Linking: Connect "贿" with words like "贿赂" (bribery) and "受贿" (accept bribes) to reinforce its negative connotation.
5. Sentence Practice: Create simple sentences using "贿" to help remember its meaning and usage in context.