Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Bribe in Spanish
Soborno · noun · soh-BOHR-noh
The noun 'soborno' is the standard word for bribe, with the verb 'sobornar' meaning to bribe. Regional slang terms are common: 'mordida' in Mexico, 'coima' in Argentina, Peru, and Chile. The legal term is 'cohecho' used in courts and legislation.
Pronounced soh-BOHR-noh with stress on the second syllable. The verb 'sobornar' is pronounced soh-bohr-NAHR. Regional variants: mor-DEE-dah (mordida), KOY-mah (coima).
El político fue arrestado por aceptar sobornos de empresarios.
The politician was arrested for accepting bribes from businessmen.
Bribe in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for bribe, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| soborno | bribe | soh-BOHR-noh | Default, widely understood |
| mordida | bribe | Mexico, informal | |
| coima | bribe | Argentina/Peru/Chile | |
| cohecho | bribe | legal term |
How Native Speakers Use Soborno
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Political corruption
El funcionario intentó sobornar al juez con una gran suma de dinero.
The official tried to bribe the judge with a large sum of money.
Corruption in government institutions.
Traffic stop (Mexico)
El policía insinuó que con una mordida se olvidaría de la multa.
The officer hinted that with a bribe he would forget about the ticket.
Using the Mexican colloquial term.
News report
Descubrieron un esquema de coimas en la aduana del puerto.
They discovered a bribery scheme at the port customs.
South American variant in a news context.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Soborno
Using mordida universally
Incorrect: Le ofreció una mordida al policía. (in Argentina)
Correct: Le ofreció una coima al policía.
'Mordida' is specifically Mexican slang; in Argentina, Peru, and Chile, the equivalent colloquial term is 'coima.'
Confusing sobornar with sobrar
Incorrect: Intentó sobrar al guardia.
Correct: Intentó sobornar al guardia.
'Sobrar' means to be left over or to have extra; 'sobornar' is the verb meaning to bribe — they sound similar but are entirely different.
Lock in Bribe Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Soborno used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using soborno in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El político fue arrestado por aceptar sobornos de empresarios. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Bribe in Spanish
- Why is a bribe called 'mordida' in Mexico?
- The word 'mordida' literally means 'bite' in Spanish, metaphorically suggesting that the corrupt official takes a 'bite' out of your wallet, reflecting the idea of someone nibbling away at your money.
- What is the legal term for bribery?
- In legal and judicial contexts, bribery is called 'cohecho' — the crime committed by both the person offering and the person accepting the bribe — which appears in criminal codes across Spanish-speaking countries.
- How do I say 'to accept a bribe' versus 'to offer a bribe'?
- To accept a bribe is 'aceptar un soborno' or 'dejarse sobornar,' while to offer a bribe is 'ofrecer un soborno' or 'intentar sobornar a alguien.'