賄賂

• Reading: わいろ
• Romaji: wairo
• Kanji breakdown: 賄 (wai) — to supply, bribe; 賂 (ro) — bribe, gift (both contain 貝 shell/money radical)
• Pronunciation: /ɰa.i.ɾo/

Meaning

A bribe; illicit payment made to influence someone in a position of authority. Strongly negative connotation.

A noun. Always carries a negative, illegal connotation — unlike gifts or gratuities. Common collocations: 賄賂を贈る (to offer a bribe), 賄賂を受け取る (to accept a bribe), 賄賂で捕まる (to be caught for bribery). Frequently appears in news about political and corporate corruption.

Examples

1. 政治家が賄賂を受け取った容疑で逮捕された。 A politician was arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe.
2. 賄賂を贈ることは法律で禁止されている。 Offering a bribe is prohibited by law.
3. その国では賄賂なしでは許可が下りないと言われている。 It's said that in that country, you can't get a permit without a bribe.

Usage Guide

Context: law, politics, corruption

Tone: negative

Origin & History

Both kanji contain the shell radical 貝, reflecting the ancient use of shells as currency. 賄 means to supply provisions; 賂 means to give gifts to win favour.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal