How to say "bribe" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

賄賂わいろCommon
nounThe plain, general word for a bribe, and the one used in legal and news reporting on bribery; it also covers a 'sweetener', any inducement held out to sway someone.
彼かれはわいろを取とるような人ひとではない。↗
He isn't a man to take a bribe.
裏金うらがねCommon
nounA bribe thought of as money that must stay hidden — cash passed under the table and kept off the books, as in payoffs to politicians or officials; secrecy is the point.
彼かれは裏金うらがねをもらいました。↗
He got paid under the table.
付け届けつけとどけCommon
nounReally a gift or offering sent to someone to cultivate favor, often with an ulterior motive — a soft 'sweetener' rather than an outright payoff — so it is seldom the word for a criminal bribe.

Use 賄賂 for a bribe in the plain, legal sense; 裏金 when the money is secret and off the books; 「付け届け」 only for a gift given to curry favor, not an outright payoff.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

賄賂わいろbribe
裏金うらがねbribe
袖の下そでのしたbribe
賂まいないbribe
鼻薬を嗅がせるはなぐすりをかがせるto bribe
音物いんもつpresent (to build up a "friendship" with someone)
付け届けつけとどけbribe
水金みずきんbribe
掴ませるつかませるto bribe
鼻薬はなぐすりbribe
にぎにぎ(accepting a) bribe

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