die
Bestechlichkeit
🔍 What does "die Bestechlichkeit" mean?
Die Bestechlichkeit translates to corruptibility or venality in English. It describes the quality, tendency, or susceptibility of a person or institution to be influenced or 'bought' through material or immaterial advantages (like money, gifts, favours), leading them to act unfairly or illegally.
It's an abstract noun representing a negative moral quality, often discussed in the context of *Korruption* (corruption), abuse of office (*Amtsmissbrauch*), and unfair competition (*unlauterer Wettbewerb*).
🚨 Important: 'Die Bestechlichkeit' (the quality/state) is not the same as 'die Bestechung' (the act of bribery).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-keit → always feminine.
🧩 Grammar in Detail: die Bestechlichkeit
The word "Bestechlichkeit" is a feminine noun. The definite article is die. As an abstract noun, it is almost exclusively used in the singular.
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Subject) | die Bestechlichkeit | eine Bestechlichkeit |
| Genitive (Possessive) | der Bestechlichkeit | einer Bestechlichkeit |
| Dative (Indirect Object) | der Bestechlichkeit | einer Bestechlichkeit |
| Accusative (Direct Object) | die Bestechlichkeit | eine Bestechlichkeit |
A plural form ("die Bestechlichkeiten") is grammatically possible but very uncommon. It would refer to specific instances or types of corruptibility.
Example Sentences
- Die Bestechlichkeit mancher Politiker untergräbt das Vertrauen in die Demokratie.
(The corruptibility of some politicians undermines trust in democracy.) - Der Skandal offenbarte das Ausmaß der Bestechlichkeit in der Verwaltung.
(The scandal revealed the extent of venality within the administration.) - Man muss der Bestechlichkeit entschieden entgegentreten.
(One must resolutely oppose corruptibility.)
🗣️ How is "Bestechlichkeit" used?
"Bestechlichkeit" is used to describe the moral weakness or readiness to be corrupted. Typical contexts include:
- Law and Politics (*Recht und Politik*): Discussions about corruption involving officials (*Beamte*), politicians (*Politiker*), or judges (*Richter*).
- Business (*Wirtschaft*): Unfair business practices, graft.
- Ethics and Morality (*Ethik und Moral*): Describing a negative character trait.
- Social Criticism (*Gesellschaftskritik*): Addressing systemic corruption.
The word carries a strong negative connotation. It implies a lack of integrity (*Integrität*) and moral fortitude.
Comparison: While die Bestechung describes the concrete act of giving or accepting a bribe, die Bestechlichkeit refers to the general susceptibility to it.
🧠 Mnemonics for Bestechlichkeit
Article Mnemonic (die): Nouns ending in -keit (like Höflichkeit - politeness, Möglichkeit - possibility, Sauberkeit - cleanliness) are almost always feminine in German. Therefore, it's die Bestechlichkeit.
Meaning Mnemonic: Someone who is bestechlich (bribable/corruptible) can easily be 'stung' – in German, 'stechen' means 'to sting' or 'to stab', but is also the root of 'bestechen' (to bribe). Think of someone being 'stung' by the lure of money or favours. This susceptibility is die Bestechlichkeit.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Die Korruption: (Corruption) Often used interchangeably, a broader term for the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.
- Die Käuflichkeit: (Venality, purchasability) Emphasizes that someone or something can be bought.
- Die Korrumpierbarkeit: (Corruptibility) The susceptibility to being morally corrupted.
- Die Anfälligkeit (für Bestechung): (Susceptibility (to bribery)) A descriptive phrase, less direct.
Antonyms (Opposite Meaning):
- Die Unbestechlichkeit: (Incorruptibility) The direct opposite; the quality of not being bribable.
- Die Integrität: (Integrity) Probity, honesty, adherence to moral principles.
- Die Rechtschaffenheit: (Righteousness, probity) Honesty and decency in conduct.
- Die Prinzipientreue: (Adherence to principles) Sticking to one's principles, even under pressure.
⚠️ Caution: Do not confuse with die Bestechung (the act of bribery).
😂 A Little Joke
German: Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Geben Sie zu, den Beamten bestochen zu haben?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Herr Richter, bei der Summe, die er wollte, war das keine Bestechung mehr, das war schon eine Investition in seine mangelnde Bestechlichkeit!"
English Translation: The judge asks the defendant: "Do you admit to bribing the official?"
The defendant replies: "Your Honor, given the sum he wanted, it wasn't bribery anymore, it was an investment in his lack of incorruptibility!"
✍️ Poem about Corruptibility
German:
Ein Amt, ein Eid, ein ernstes Wort,
doch leise lockt ein ferner Hort.
Ein Umschlag hier, ein Vorteil dort,
nimmt die Moral ganz schnell mit fort.
Die Hand, sie zuckt, der Blick wird schwach,
die Gier erwacht im Seelenfach.
Vergessen ist, was richtig war,
die Bestechlichkeit ist unsichtbar?
Nein, sie nagt und frisst sich tief hinein,
lässt Anstand bald nur Scherben sein.
English Translation:
An office, oath, a solemn word,
But softly lures a distant hoard.
A handout here, advantage there,
Takes morality beyond repair.
The hand, it twitches, gaze grows weak,
Greed awakens, starts to speak.
Forgotten now, what once was right,
Is corruptibility out of sight?
No, it gnaws and eats deep inside,
Leaving decency nowhere to hide, just shards beside.
🧩 Riddle
German:
Ich bin eine Eigenschaft, keine Person,
und wohne oft auf dem Korruptionsthron.
Ich mache manche schwach für Geld und Macht,
hab schon viel Unheil über die Welt gebracht.
Man kämpft oft gegen mich mit strengem Recht,
denn meine Gegenwart ist immer schlecht.
Wer bin ich?
English Translation:
I am a quality, not a person known,
And often dwell upon corruption's throne.
I make some weak for money and for might,
Have brought much trouble to the world's sad plight.
People often fight me with the law's strong hand,
For my presence always taints the land.
Who am I?
Answer: Die Bestechlichkeit (Corruptibility / Venality)
💡 Other Information
Word Formation (Wortbildung):
The noun "Bestechlichkeit" is derived from the adjective "bestechlich" (bribable, corruptible), which in turn comes from the verb "bestechen" (to bribe). The suffix "-keit" is used to form abstract feminine nouns indicating a quality or state.
- bestechen (verb: to induce someone to act dishonestly through gifts/money)
- → bestechlich (adjective: capable of or inclined to being bribed)
- → die Bestechlichkeit (noun: the quality of being bribable/corruptible)
Cultural Relevance: The concept of *Bestechlichkeit* and its opposite, *Integrität* (integrity), are central themes in ethics, law, and political philosophy worldwide.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Bestechlichkeit?
The word 'Bestechlichkeit' is feminine: die Bestechlichkeit. As it describes an abstract quality, it is normally used only in the singular.