bestechen
to bribe
To offer someone money or other advantages in order to get them to do something illegal or dishonest.
EXAMPLE
Er versuchte, den Beamten mit 100 Euro zu bestechen.
He tried to bribe the official with 100 euros.
bestechen
to bribe / impress
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Meanings
bestechen durch
to impress with
To strongly impress someone and win them over through special positive qualities such as charm, elegance, intelligence, or quality.
EXAMPLE
Das Design des neuen Autos besticht durch seine schlichte Eleganz.
The design of the new car impresses with its simple elegance.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'bestechen' (to bribe/impress) is inseparable. The prefix 'be-' remains firmly attached to the stem 'stechen' in all sentence forms and is not separated.
EXAMPLE
Man wirft ihm vor, dass er den Zeugen bestochen hat.
He is accused of having bribed the witness.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If it is about an illegal act involving money or advantages, the negative meaning 'bestechen' (to bribe) is meant. If it is about positive qualities and the preposition 'durch', the positive meaning 'beeindrucken' (to impress) is meant.
EXAMPLE
Der Politiker bestreitet, den Journalisten bestochen zu haben.
The politician denies having bribed the journalist.
Sentence structure
In the meaning 'jemanden bestechen' (to bribe someone), the person being bribed is always in the accusative. The advantage used for the bribe is often introduced with the preposition 'mit' (with).
EXAMPLE
Der Angeklagte hat versucht, den Richter mit einer hohen Geldsumme zu bestechen.
The defendant tried to bribe the judge with a large sum of money.
Fixed preposition
In the positive meaning, 'bestechen' (to impress) is almost always used with the preposition 'durch' (through/with), followed by the quality that impresses. The thing or person that impresses is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Die Sängerin besticht durch ihre einzigartige Stimme.
The singer impresses with her unique voice.
Compare with
bestechen vs kaufen
to buy
Kaufen and bestechen can both refer to influencing a person through money or other benefits. Bestechen directly names the specific act. Kaufen emphasizes more strongly that the person is open to bribery and can be won over to carry out the desired action.
bestechen
Der Unternehmer bestach den Beamten mit einem teuren Geschenk.
The businessman bribed the official with an expensive gift.
kaufen
Der Unternehmer kaufte den Beamten mit einem teuren Geschenk.
The businessman bought the official off with an expensive gift.
In real life
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