taam1 zong1 wong2 faat3貪贓枉法贪赃枉法
Jyutpingtaam1 zong1 wong2 faat3
Yaletāam jōng wóng faat
Definition
To take bribes and bend the law; to pervert justice through corruption.
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How it's used
This is a formal idiom used to describe serious corruption or abuse of power by public officials. It carries a heavy, condemnatory tone and is almost exclusively used in news reports, political commentary, or serious discussions about government integrity. You would rarely hear this used in casual, lighthearted conversation.
Examples
That official perverted justice with bribery and was eventually arrested.
Why would he pervert justice for bribes and ruin his future for such a small amount of money?
Related words
Common phrases
severely punish those who pervert justice with bribery
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe petty theft or minor rule-breaking by ordinary people. It specifically implies an abuse of authority or legal duty for personal gain, making it inappropriate for non-official contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
