die  Korruption

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔʁʊpˈt͡si̯oːn/

🔍 What exactly is 'die Korruption'?

Die Korruption (noun, feminine) refers to the abuse of entrusted power (e.g., in politics, business, or administration) for private gain or advantage. This often happens through Bestechung (bribery), Vorteilsnahme (acceptance of advantages), or other dishonest means.

At its core, it involves:

• Bestechlichkeit: The willingness to be bribed.
• Bestechung: Offering or granting advantages to influence a decision.
• Illegitime Vorteilsnahme: Exploiting one's position for personal gain.

Korruption undermines trust in institutions, distorts competition, and harms society as a whole. ⚠️ It is punishable by law in many countries.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Korruption

The word 'Korruption' is a feminine noun. It is mostly used in the singular as it often describes an abstract concept. A plural ('die Korruptionen') is grammatically possible but rare, usually referring to specific cases or types of corruption.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural - Rare

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Skandal deckte massive Korruption in der Regierung auf.
   (The scandal uncovered massive corruption in the government.)
2. Man muss entschlossen gegen die Korruption vorgehen.
   (One must act decisively against corruption.)
3. Der Richter wurde wegen Korruption angeklagt.
   (The judge was charged with corruption.)
4. Es gibt verschiedene Formen von Korruption in der Wirtschaft.
   (There are different forms of corruption in the economy.)

🌐 How to use "Korruption"?

'Korruption' is a word with strong negative connotations, primarily used in contexts dealing with politics, economics, law, and ethics.

• Typical Contexts: Political scandals, white-collar crime, abuse of office, development policy, ethical debates.
• Important Collocations:
  • Korruption bekämpfen/eindämmen (to fight/curb corruption)
  • Korruption aufdecken (to uncover corruption)
  • Anfälligkeit für Korruption (susceptibility to corruption)
  • strukturelle Korruption (structural corruption)
  • politische Korruption (political corruption)
• Distinction: While Korruption is the general term, Bestechung (bribery - the act of giving) and Bestechlichkeit (corruptibility - the act of taking) refer to more specific actions. Vetterleswirtschaft (nepotism) and Freunderlwirtschaft (cronyism) are related phenomena but not exactly the same as corruption, although they often accompany it.

💡 Mnemonics for "die Korruption"

Article Mnemonic: Many German nouns ending in -ion are feminine (die Aktion, die Nation, die Diskussion). The same applies here: die Korruption. Think of the '-ion' suffix often indicating a feminine noun.

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of how something becomes "corrupt" or "ruptured". Korruption "ruptures" rules and trust for dishonest gains.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Similar but Misleading Words:

• Kollaboration: Collaboration (can be positive or negative, e.g., with an enemy). Not directly related to corruption.
• Irritation: Irritation, annoyance. Only sounds vaguely similar.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Angeklagten: "Gestehen Sie, dem Beamten 5000 Euro Bestechungsgeld angeboten zu haben?"
Antwortet der Angeklagte: "Ja, Herr Richter, aber er hat abgelehnt. Ist das schon strafbar?"
Richter: "Nein, das nennt man dann wohl vergebliche Korruption."

Translation:
The judge asks the defendant: "Do you confess to offering the official a bribe of 5000 euros?"
The defendant replies: "Yes, Your Honor, but he refused. Is that already punishable?"
Judge: "No, I suppose you'd call that futile corruption."

📜 Poem about Korruption

Wo Schatten Macht gewinnen,
Die Korruption beginnt zu spinnen.
Ein Netz aus Gier und falschem Schein,
frisst Ehrlichkeit und Recht klein.
Vertrauen schwindet, Wohlstand flieht,
wo unlauterer Vorteil blüht.
Drum wachsam sein und widersteh'n,
damit Gerechtigkeit kann besteh'n.

Translation:
Where shadows gain power,
Corruption begins to spin.
A web of greed and false appearance,
devours honesty and justice small.
Trust vanishes, prosperity flees,
where dishonest advantage blooms.
Therefore, be vigilant and resist,
so that justice can endure.

🕵️‍♀️ Little Riddle

Ich trage keine Uniform, doch diene oft der Macht.
Ich wachse meist im Dunkeln, ganz heimlich über Nacht.
Ich nehme gern Geschenke an, doch teile ungern aus.
Vertrauen bring ich schnell zu Fall, in Amt und Staat und Haus.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I wear no uniform, yet often serve the powerful.
I mostly grow in darkness, secretly overnight.
I gladly accept gifts, but rarely share.
I quickly bring down trust, in office, state, and house.

What am I?

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin: The German word "Korruption" comes from the Latin corruptio, meaning 'decay', 'corruption', 'bribery'. It derives from the verb corrumpere: 'to spoil', 'to corrupt', 'to bribe'.

Types of Corruption: A distinction is often made between:

• Situative Korruption: Situational corruption (isolated cases and opportunities).
• Strukturelle Korruption: Structural corruption (when corrupt practices are deeply embedded in the system).
• „Grand Corruption“: Corruption at the highest political or economic levels.
• „Petty Corruption“: Small-scale corruption, often in everyday dealings with authorities.