賂

A phonetic–semantic compound consists of:

貝 (패, “cowrie shell; money”) — semantic component

各 (각, “each; to reach”) — phonetic component

In early Chinese culture, 貝 symbolized wealth and currency. Combined with 各, the character conveys the idea of money given separately or privately, implying secret payment.

Semantic development:

- private payment using valuables

- illicit offering to influence officials

- corrupt bribery (fixed meaning)

Unlike 賜 (“gift from superior to inferior”), 賂 always implies improper intent.

賂物 (뇌물) — bribe; illicit gift

受賂 (수뢰) — to accept a bribe

行賂 (행뢰) — to give a bribe

賂官 (뢰관) — a bribed official

賄賂 (회뢰) — bribery (often paired with 賄)

Comparison note:

賂 — illicit bribe

賄 — corrupt wealth or inducement

賜 — lawful gift from superior

貢 — formal tribute

Only 賂 carries an unambiguously criminal meaning.

賂 is rarely used alone in modern Korean or Chinese; it almost always appears in legal or moral compounds.

In classical law texts, 賂 is frequently paired with 賄, forming 賄賂, emphasizing both material corruption and moral decay.

The character sharply contrasts with 貢 (tribute) and 賜 (imperial gift), which are institutionally sanctioned.

Classical citations:

《左傳》 (Zuo Zhuan)

「以賂亂法。」

“Using bribes to corrupt the law.”

《韓非子》 (Han Feizi)

「受賂者死。」

“Those who accept bribes shall die.”

《史記》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

「賄賂公行，國將亡。」

“When bribery is openly practiced, the state will perish.”