Korean Dictionary
How to say "Bribery" in Korean
“Bribery” in Korean is 뇌물 (pronounced "Noemul").
뇌물
Noemul
Usage & Context
Offering money or gifts to someone in power to gain favor. Bribery is a serious crime in South Korea with severe penalties.
Example Sentence
뇌물은 범죄입니다.
Bribery is a crime.
How to use 뇌물 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Bribery” is 뇌물, romanized as Noemul.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 뇌물.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 'Noe', sounds like 'no-eh' spoken quickly, similar to 'no' followed by a soft 'eh' sound. The second syllable, 'mul', sounds like 'mool' as in 'pool'.
More Example Sentences
A detective describing a crime.
그는 뇌물을 받고 중요한 정보를 넘겼습니다.
He received a bribe and handed over important information.
A legal warning sign.
뇌물 공여는 법적으로 엄격히 금지됩니다.
Offering a bribe is strictly prohibited by law.
A news anchor reporting.
뇌물 혐의로 체포된 고위 공무원 소식입니다.
This is news about a high-ranking official arrested on bribery charges.
Cultural Context
'뇌물' (noemul) is a serious offense in Korea, especially after the implementation of the Kim Young-ran Act (청탁금지법) in 2016, which significantly tightened regulations on giving and receiving gifts, meals, and favors. Historically, a culture of '정' (jeong - affection/bond) sometimes blurred lines, but modern Korea is much stricter. K-dramas often depict intricate bribery schemes, highlighting the legal and ethical consequences.
Editorial note
We review entries like 뇌물 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
뇌물을 주다
To give a bribe
뇌물을 받다
To receive a bribe
뇌물죄
Bribery crime
Related Expressions
뒷돈
Dwitdon
Illicit money, kickback
청탁
Cheongtak
Solicitation, request for a favor
뇌물수수
Noemul susu
Receiving a bribe
뇌물공여
Noemul gongyeo
Offering a bribe
More Law & Government Words
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