How to Say "Bribe" in Korean - How To Say Guide

뇌물

noemul[nwe̞muɭ]

The English word bribe is translated into Korean as 뇌물 (noemul). Wiktionary also lists 회뢰 (hoeroe) and 뢰물 (roemul).

Meaning: inducement to a breaking of the rules (noun)

Ways to say it

“bribe” in Korean
Korean	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA	Note
뇌물	noemul	[nwe̞muɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [nø̞muɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow)
회뢰	hoeroe	[ˈɸwe̞(ː)ɾwe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈhø̞(ː)ɾø̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow)
뢰물	roemul		North Korea

A bribe refers to an inducement to a breaking of the rules. You can use the phrase 뇌물을 주다 to mean "to give a bribe".

The spelling 뢰물 is used in North Korea instead of the South Korean 뇌물.

noemul

While 뇌물 refers to a bribe, the word 떡값 literally means 'rice cake money'. It is a common euphemism used to describe a customary payment given to superiors or officials during the Lunar New Year.
The Korean word for 'corruption', 부패, literally means 'rot' or 'decay'. This frames the act of giving 뇌물 as a biological decomposition of society.
The phrase 뒷돈 is a slang term for a bribe that literally translates to 'back money'. It suggests that the transaction is happening behind someone's back.

그는 돈으로 고위 관리들에게 뇌물을 주었다.
He gave a bribe to high-ranking officials with money.
뇌물을 주는 것은 범죄입니다.
noemureul juneun geoseun beomjeimnida.
Giving a bribe is a crime.
그는 뇌물 사건에 연루되었습니다.
geuneun noemul sageone yeolludoeeotseumnida.
He was involved in a bribe scandal.

Two colleagues are discussing a news report about a corrupt politician.

서연 Seo-yeon

민준 씨, 뉴스 봤어요?
Minjun ssi, nyuseu bwasseoyo?
Minjun, did you see the news?
민준 Min-jun

네, 정치인이 뇌물을 받았다고 하더라고요.
Ne, jeongchiini noemureul badassago hadeoragoyo.
Yes, they said the politician received a bribe.
서연 Seo-yeon

정말 충격적인 사건이에요.
Jeongmal chunggyeokjeogin sageonieyo.
It is a truly shocking incident.
민준 Min-jun

서연 씨 말대로 정말 큰일이네요.
Seoyeon ssi maldaero jeongmal keunirineyo.
As you say, Seoyeon, it is a big problem.

Sources

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