mordida: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low FrequencyInformal (for the bribery sense); Standard (for the literal sense).
Quick answer
What does “mordida” mean?
The Spanish noun for a bite or small amount of food taken with the teeth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The Spanish noun for a bite or small amount of food taken with the teeth.
In informal Latin American Spanish, a bribe or kickback, especially to a public official or authority figure, metaphorically extending from the idea of 'taking a bite' out of someone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This is a loanword from Spanish. Its use in English is almost exclusively to refer to the specific concept of a 'bite-sized' bribe in a Latin American context. There is no significant UK/US difference in its English usage.
Connotations
In English, it carries strong connotations of corruption, informal payments, and specific cultural practices in certain Spanish-speaking countries. It is a marked, foreign term.
Frequency
Very rare in general English. Almost only encountered in contexts discussing Latin American politics, business, or crime.
Grammar
How to Use “mordida” in a Sentence
pay [INDIRECT OBJECT] a mordidaask for a mordidaexpect a mordida from [SOMEONE]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mordida” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – Not used as a verb in English.
American English
- N/A – Not used as a verb in English.
adverb
British English
- N/A – Not used as an adverb in English.
American English
- N/A – Not used as an adverb in English.
adjective
British English
- N/A – Not used as an adjective in English.
American English
- N/A – Not used as an adjective in English.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when discussing informal costs or barriers to market entry in certain regions.
Academic
Used in political science, sociology, or anthropology papers discussing corruption.
Everyday
Almost never used in everyday English conversation outside specific expatriate/diplomat circles.
Technical
Not a technical term in English law; terms like 'bribery' or 'corrupt practice' are used instead.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mordida”
- Using 'mordida' in formal English writing about bribery in non-Latin contexts.
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'd' in the middle; it should be a soft Spanish 'd'.
- Assuming all English speakers know this term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a loanword from Spanish used in very specific contexts. It is not part of the core English lexicon and is considered a foreign term.
No, the bribery meaning is specific to Latin America, particularly Mexico. In Spain, the word only means 'a bite' (of food) or a minor wound from biting. Using it to mean a bribe in Spain would cause confusion.
In English usage, 'mordida' specifically evokes the small, routine, almost institutionalised bribes in certain systems, often to officials to perform their normal duties. 'Bribe' is the general, neutral term for any illicit payment to influence action.
The most common anglicised pronunciation is mor-DEE-dah, with the stress on the second syllable and a soft 'd' sound. The 'r' can be pronounced as in English.
The Spanish noun for a bite or small amount of food taken with the teeth.
Mordida is usually informal (for the bribery sense); standard (for the literal sense). in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's just the cost of doing business/the mordida.”
- “The mordida is built into the system.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a corrupt official taking a 'MORe-than-DUE' amount from you – a MOR-DIDA.
Conceptual Metaphor
CORRUPTION IS EATING / MONEY IS FOOD. The official 'takes a bite' out of your money or resources.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the English loanword 'mordida' most accurately used?