שוחד
shochad
The English word bribe is translated into Hebrew as שוחד (shochad).
שוחד refers to an inducement given to someone to break rules or duties. It is a noun commonly used in legal and administrative contexts. When you want to describe the act of receiving such an inducement, the common collocation is לקחת שוחד, which literally means to take a bribe.
Meaning: inducement to a breaking of the rules (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
If you wish to use the verb form, the infinitive for 'to bribe' is לשחד.
How do you pronounce it?
shochad
Did you know?
- While שוחד is the formal term for a bribe, Israelis often use the slang word בקשיש to describe a small tip given to a clerk to speed up a process, which is viewed as less criminal than שוחד.
- The slang term בקשיש used for small bribes is actually a loanword from Turkish. It entered Hebrew via Ottoman influence and is often used for unofficial payments to bypass bureaucracy.
- In Hebrew, someone who has been bribed is often described as נמכר, meaning they were 'sold' like a piece of property.
Examples in context
- ראש העיר הכחיש שלקח שוחד.The mayor denied having taken a bribe.This sentence demonstrates the use of שוחד in the context of a denial.Tatoeba #1550738 by MrShoval, translation #246173 by CK
- כולם חושדים בו שהוא לקח שוחד.Everybody suspected him of taking a bribe.This sentence shows how שוחד is used to express suspicion.Tatoeba #5793589 by fekundulo, translation #282870 by CM
- הוא נתפס כשהוא מנסה לתת שוחד.hu nitpas keshehu menase latet shochad.He was caught while trying to give a bribe.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a news report about a scandal.
- דניאל Danielשמעת על הפרשה של שוחד בבניין?shama'at al ha'parasha shel shochad ba'binyan?Did you hear about the bribe scandal in the building?
- רוטם Rotemלא, מה קרה שם?lo, ma kara sham?No, what happened there?
- דניאל Danielמישהו ניסה לשחד את המנהל.mishehu nisa leshachad et ha'menahel.Someone tried to bribe the manager.
- רוטם Rotemזה ממש מצב לא נעים.ze mamash matzav lo naim.That is a really unpleasant situation.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
