घूस (ghoos)
noun
A single, everyday noun meaning 'bribe' -- the money or favor given to get something done through illegitimate means, especially with officials.
Sense
1
:
bribe
noun, feminine
Synonyms: रिश्वत (rishvat), भ्रष्टाचार (bhrashtaachaar, corruption, broader term), उगाही (ugaahii, extortion money, not a direct synonym but often heard alongside it)
Frequency: high
Cultural Note: घूस (ghoos) is the word you will actually hear on the street or in a taxi when someone complains about a clerk or traffic constable -- रिश्वत (rishvat) feels a notch more formal, the word a newspaper or an FIR would use. The common expression घूस खानी पड़ी (ghoos khaanii padii, 'had to pay/give a bribe') uses खाना (khaanaa) from the bribe-taker's point of view, and Hindi speakers extend this 'eating' metaphor to any illicit gain, not just food.
Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often reach only for रिश्वत (rishvat) since it is the word taught in textbooks, but घूस (ghoos) is the far more common word in spoken, everyday Hindi -- especially in complaints about officials, police, or paperwork. 2) घूस (ghoos) pairs naturally with the verb खाना (khaanaa) rather than लेना (lenaa) -- घूस खाना (ghoos khaanaa, 'to take/eat a bribe') is the idiomatic collocation a learner should internalize, on the model of पैसा खाना (paisaa khaanaa, 'to embezzle money').
Sample Sentences:
ट्रैफिक वाले ने घूस माँगी।
The traffic constable asked for a bribe.
(traiphik vaale ne ghoos maangii।)
बाबू को घूस दिए बिना काम नहीं होता।
Without giving the clerk a bribe, the work just doesn't get done.
(baaboo ko ghoos die binaa kaam nahiin hotaa।)
उसे लाइसेंस बनवाने के लिए घूस खानी पड़ी।
He had to pay a bribe to get the license made.
(use laaisens banvaane ke lie ghoos khaanii padii।)
घूस मत दो, चाहे कितना भी समय लगे।
Don't give a bribe, no matter how much time it takes.
(ghoos mat do, chaahe kitnaa bhii samay lage।)
अगर वह घूस नहीं लेता तो फाइल कभी नहीं बढ़ती।
If he hadn't taken a bribe, the file would never have moved forward.
(agar vah ghoos nahiin letaa to phaail kabhii nahiin badhtii।)
इंस्पेक्टर घूस लेते हुए पकड़ा गया।
The inspector was caught taking a bribe.
(inspektar ghoos lete hue pakdaa gayaa।)
शायद उसने घूस लेकर ही यह ठेका दिया हो।
Maybe he gave this contract only after taking a bribe.
(shaayad usne ghoos lekar hii yah thekaa diyaa ho।)
यहाँ हर छोटे काम के लिए घूस चलती है।
Here, a bribe is standard practice for every small task.
(yahaan har chhote kaam ke lie ghoos chaltii hai।)
क्या तुमने कभी किसी को घूस दी है?
Have you ever given anyone a bribe?
(kyaa tumne kabhii kisii ko ghoos dii hai?)
घूस लेने वाले अफ़सर पर मुकदमा चलाया जाएगा।
The officer who took the bribe will be prosecuted.
(ghoos lene vaale afsar par mukadmaa chalaayaa jaaegaa।)
काश यह महकमा घूस के बिना चलता।
I wish this department functioned without bribes.
(kaash yah mahakmaa ghoos ke binaa chaltaa।)
Morphology
Noun
(sg.f.direct):
घूस
(ghoos)
(sg.f.oblique):
घूस
(ghoos)
(pl.f.direct):
घूसें
(ghoosen)
(pl.f.oblique):
घूसों
(ghooson)