bribe · provide

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is わい, and the kun reading is まかなう. It has 13 strokes and relates to providing or covering needs and also to bribery.
• Basic usage: 賄う is read まかなう, and 賄賂 is read わいろ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 賄う / 賄賂
  • 賄う means to cover or to provide. It is a transitive verb read まかなう. It means to cover an expense or provide needed meals or supplies.
  • 材料費は参加費で賄う予定だ。 means “The participation fees are expected to cover the cost of materials.”
  • 賄賂 means bribe. It is a noun read わいろ. It means a bribe offered for improper advantage and differs from 賄う in both reading and meaning.
  • 役人は業者から賄賂を受け取った疑いで逮捕された。 means “The official was arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe from a contractor.”