भ्रष्टाचार (bhrashtaachaar)

noun A single-sense noun meaning 'corruption' -- almost always in the political/institutional sense (bribery, misuse of office), not moral corruption of an individual's character.
Sense 1 : corruption (political, institutional, bribery)
noun, masculine
Synonyms: भ्रष्टता (bhrashttaa, character/moral corruption, narrower), रिश्वतखोरी (rishvatkhorii, bribery specifically), गड़बड़ी (gadabdii, irregularity/malpractice, milder)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: This is one of the most common words in Indian news broadcasts and political speeches -- every election season is full of promises to fight भ्रष्टाचार (bhrashtaachaar) khatm karna. It carries a strong charge of civic frustration, evoking everything from a traffic policeman's bribe to a massive government scam, and is closely tied to the Hindi phrase भ्रष्टाचार मुक्त भारत (bhrashtaachaar mukt bhaarat, 'corruption-free India'), a slogan heard often in public discourse.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners sometimes use भ्रष्टाचार (bhrashtaachaar) for any kind of wrongdoing or dishonesty in personal life; native speakers reserve it for corruption in public office, government, or institutions -- a cheating spouse or a lying friend is not भ्रष्टाचार. 2) The word is always used in the singular even when referring to widespread or repeated acts of corruption; there is no natural plural use like English 'corruptions.'
Sample Sentences:
इस देश में भ्रष्टाचार बहुत बढ़ गया है। Corruption has increased a lot in this country.
(is desh men bhrashtaachaar bahut badh gayaa hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
नेता हर चुनाव में भ्रष्टाचार खत्म करने का वादा करते हैं। Politicians promise to end corruption in every election.
(netaa har chunaav men bhrashtaachaar khatm karne kaa vaadaa karte hain।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Habitual -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
उस अफसर पर भ्रष्टाचार का आरोप लगाया गया। That officer was accused of corruption.
(us aphsar par bhrashtaachaar kaa aarop lagaayaa gayaa।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Passive
हमें भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ आवाज़ उठानी चाहिए। We should raise our voice against corruption.
(hamen bhrashtaachaar ke khilaaph aavaaz uthaanii chaahie।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Active
भ्रष्टाचार मुक्त भारत बनाना हम सबका सपना है। Building a corruption-free India is all of our dream.
(bhrashtaachaar mukt bhaarat banaanaa ham sabkaa sapnaa hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
अगर भ्रष्टाचार न होता, तो देश बहुत आगे होता। If there was no corruption, the country would be far ahead.
(agar bhrashtaachaar n hotaa, to desh bahut aage hotaa।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Counterfactual -- Aspect: Habitual -- Voice: Active
यार, ट्रैफिक पुलिस वाले ने पैसे मांगे, यही तो भ्रष्टाचार है। Dude, the traffic cop asked for money, this is exactly corruption.
(yaar, traiphik pulis vaale ne paise maange, yahii to bhrashtaachaar hai।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Past -- Voice: Active
भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ लड़ो, वरना हालात कभी नहीं बदलेंगे। Fight against corruption, otherwise things will never change.
(bhrashtaachaar ke khilaaph lado, varnaa haalaat kabhii nahiin badlenge।)
Register: Casual -- Mood: Imperative -- Voice: Active
सरकार भ्रष्टाचार रोकने के लिए नए कानून ला रही है। The government is bringing new laws to stop corruption.
(sarkaar bhrashtaachaar rokne ke lie nae kaanoon laa rahii hai।)
Register: Formal -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Continuous -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
जब तक भ्रष्टाचार की जड़ें न उखाड़ी जाएं, सुधार मुमकिन नहीं। Until the roots of corruption are uprooted, reform is not possible.
(jab tak bhrashtaachaar kii jaden n ukhaadii jaaen, sudhaar mumkin nahiin।)
Register: Literary -- Mood: Subjunctive -- Voice: Passive
उस घोटाले ने साबित कर दिया कि भ्रष्टाचार कितना गहरा फैला हुआ है। That scam proved how deeply corruption has spread.
(us ghotaale ne saabit kar diyaa ki bhrashtaachaar kitnaa gahraa phailaa huaa hai।)
Register: Neutral -- Mood: Indicative -- Aspect: Perfective -- Tense: Present -- Voice: Active
Morphology
Noun
(sg.m.direct): भ्रष्टाचार (bhrashtaachaar)
(sg.m.oblique): भ्रष्टाचार (bhrashtaachaar)
(pl.m.direct): भ्रष्टाचार (bhrashtaachaar)
(pl.m.oblique): भ्रष्टाचारों (bhrashtaachaaron)