mordida
slang, Mexico
In Mexico a bribe is a mordida, literally "bite", in everyday speech. The formal word, used in news and law, is soborno.
Meaning: money given to get an unfair favor (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| mordida | slang, Mexico |
| soborno | formal |
Dar una mordida means to pay a small bribe, often to a police officer or official. News reports and the law use soborno and the verb sobornar.
Which one should you use?
Other countries use different slang, such as coima in parts of South America. In Mexico mordida is the word everybody understands.
When do people say it?
Paying a bribe is illegal in Mexico, and the word mordida is widely used in jokes and in talk about corruption.
Did you know?
- The word mordida literally means "a bite" and works as slang for a bribe because a little is "bitten off" from the money.
Examples in context
- El policía le pidió una mordida.The police officer asked him for a bribe.
- Lo acusaron de aceptar un soborno.He was accused of taking a bribe.
- No voy a dar mordida.I am not going to pay a bribe.
Example conversation
Two coworkers, Iván and Sofía, chat about a news story during a break in Mexico City.
- Iván¿Leíste lo del funcionario?Did you read about the official?
- SofíaSí, aceptó un soborno.Yes, he took a bribe.
- IvánDicen que pedía mordida por cada permiso.They say he asked for a bribe for every permit.
