embezzle; corruption (literary)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to embezzle; to take bribes; to engage in corruption
archaicLiterary term for corruption, originally referring specifically to officials embezzling public funds or accepting bribes. Used in formal, historical, or written contexts.
Lì历
shǐ史
shàng上
xǔ许
duō多
guān官
yuán员
yīn因
tān贪
mò墨
ér而
bèi被
gé革
zhí职
。
Throughout history, many officials were dismissed for embezzlement.
Tān贪
mò墨
chéng成
fēng风
，
bǎi百
xìng姓
kǔ苦
bù不
kān堪
yán言
。
Corruption became rampant, causing unbearable suffering for the common people.
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Zhè这
wèi位
qīng清
guān官
cóng从
bù不
tān贪
mò墨
yī一
wén文
qián钱
。
This honest official never embezzled a single coin.
Tā他
yīn因
tān贪
mò墨
gōng公
kuǎn款
bèi被
pàn判
xíng刑
shí十
nián年
。
He was sentenced to ten years in prison for embezzling public funds.