bribery
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bribery
The offering, giving, or accepting of money, gifts, or other benefits in order to induce a person in an official position to commit an unlawful act or make an unlawful decision.
Der Politiker wurde wegen Bestechung angeklagt und verurteilt.
The politician was charged with and convicted of bribery.
The noun 'die Bestechung' (bribery) comes from the verb 'bestechen' (to bribe). This is made up of 'be-' and 'stechen' (to sting/prick). The original idea was to figuratively 'sting' someone with money or benefits in order to influence them.
Er versuchte, den Beamten zu bestechen.
He tried to bribe the official.
Since 'Bestechung' (bribery) is a legal term, it often appears in fixed expressions from the legal field. Typical phrases are: 'jemanden der Bestechung anklagen' (to charge someone with bribery), 'wegen Bestechung verurteilt werden' (to be convicted of bribery), or 'der Versuch der Bestechung' (attempted bribery).
Der Bauunternehmer wurde der Bestechung überführt.
The building contractor was found guilty of bribery.
The word family includes the adjectives 'bestechlich' (someone who can be bribed) and the opposite 'unbestechlich' (someone who remains honest and does not accept money).
Der Richter galt als unbestechlich.
The judge was considered incorruptible.
corruption
Korruption and Bestechung can describe the same official misconduct, but they differ in scope. “Bestechung” refers here to the specific benefit used to influence an official; “Korruption” refers to the broader misconduct or a corresponding environment. “Bestechung” fits the individual payment, while “Korruption” fits the wider context.
Die Polizei untersucht die Bestechung eines Beamten, der für Geld eine Genehmigung erteilte.
The police are investigating the bribery of an official who issued a permit in exchange for money.
Der Fall zeigt Korruption in der Stadtverwaltung, weil mehrere Beamte ihre Macht für private Vorteile missbrauchten.
The case reveals corruption in the city administration because several officials abused their power for private gain.
