verb / noun HSK 5
Traditional 貪污
to embezzle · to be corrupt · corruption · graft
Meaning
贪污 refers to the act of using one's official position to illegally take public funds or property for personal gain. It is a serious crime in Chinese law and commonly appears in news reports about government officials or business leaders who misuse their power for financial benefit.
Usage
This is a formal, serious term primarily used in legal, political, and news contexts. It carries strong negative connotations and is often paired with other corruption-related terms like 受贿 (taking bribes). Common in official anti-corruption campaigns and legal proceedings.
Examples
- 01那位官员因贪污公款被判刑十年。.That official was sentenced to ten years for embezzling public funds.
- 02政府加强了反贪污的力度。.The government has strengthened its anti-corruption efforts.
Characters
Common collocations
- 贪污受贿embezzlement and bribery
- 贪污罪crime of embezzlement
- 贪污腐败corruption and graft
- 贪污公款to embezzle public funds
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 贪 (greedy) with 污 (to dirty/pollute), literally meaning 'greedy dirtiness' or 'corrupt greed,' directly conveying the moral stain of corruption.