Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bustarella | /bus.taˈrɛl.la/ | feminine |
| tangente | /tanˈd͡ʒɛn.te/ | feminine |
| mazzetta | /matˈt͡set.ta/ | feminine |
All these terms refer to an inducement given to break rules. To describe the act of bribing someone, you can use the verb corrompere or the phrase offrire una tangente.
What does it mean word for word?
The word bustarella is a diminutive of busta (envelope), so it literally translates to little envelope.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the scale and context of the bribe. Tangente is typically used for large-scale bribes involving politicians or major business contracts. Bustarella often implies a smaller, more colloquial bribe, such as a small envelope of cash given to a low-level official. Finally, mazzetta is a colloquial term used in everyday speech.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
All three noun forms, tangente, bustarella and mazzetta, are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
The word bustarella is pronounced /bus.taˈrɛl.la/. It has four syllables, and the stress is on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian politics, the term Tangentopoli (literally 'bribe-city') refers to the massive 1990s judicial investigation that collapsed the First Republic.
- The word tangente is a mathematical term in English and Italian, referring to a line that touches a curve at a single point. In a financial context, it originally meant a payment that 'touches' a transaction.
- The word mazzetta is a diminutive of mazza, which means 'club' or 'bundle'. This suggests a bribe is a 'little bundle' of cash tied together.
Examples in context
- Non è una mazzetta.It's not a bribe.This sentence is useful for showing the negative form of the word mazzetta.Tatoeba #3010654 by Guybrush88, translation #2648789 by CK
- Ha accettato o no la mazzetta?Did you or did you not accept the bribe?This sentence is useful for asking a question about accepting a mazzetta.Tatoeba #725090 by Guybrush88, translation #326581 by CK
- Rifiutò di prendere la mazzetta.He refused to take the bribe.This sentence is useful for describing the refusal to take a mazzetta.Tatoeba #724967 by Guybrush88, translation #304859 by CK
- La tangente è un reato grave in Italia.Bribery is a serious crime in Italy.
- La politica italiana è spesso controversa. Si dice che ci siano molte spintarelle nascoste.Italian politics is often controversial. They say that there are many hidden bribes.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are discussing a corruption scandal in the news.
- GiuliaHanno scoperto che ha preso una bustarella.They found out that he took a bribe.
- LorenzoDavvero? Quando è successo?Really? When did it happen?
- GiuliaL'anno scorso, per vincere l'appalto.Last year, to win the contract.
- LorenzoAccettare una bustarella è un reato grave.Accepting a bribe is a serious crime.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bribe” translations and entries bustarella, tangente, mazzetta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bustarella, tangente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
