fǎnfǔ: 反腐 - Anti-corruption, To fight corruption

Keywords: fǎnfǔ, fanfu, 反腐, anti-corruption, fight corruption, China corruption, Xi Jinping anti-corruption, Chinese politics, Communist Party, graft, bribery, swatting tigers and flies

Summary: Fǎnfǔ (反腐) is a crucial term in modern Chinese politics, meaning “anti-corruption” or “to fight corruption.” It refers to the efforts, most notably the large-scale campaign initiated by President Xi Jinping, to combat bribery, graft, and abuse of power within the Chinese government and the Communist Party. Understanding fǎnfǔ is essential for comprehending contemporary Chinese society, governance, and the nation's top-down approach to enforcing discipline among its officials.

Pinyin (with tone marks): fǎnfǔ

Part of Speech: Verb, Noun

HSK Level: HSK 6

Concise Definition: To combat official corruption; anti-corruption.

In a Nutshell: Fǎnfǔ literally translates to “anti-rot” or “counter-decay.” It's a powerful and serious term used almost exclusively to describe the state-led struggle against corruption by government officials and party members. It's not about general crime but specifically about the abuse of public power for private gain. The word evokes a sense of cleaning up a system to ensure its stability and legitimacy.

反 (fǎn): This character means “anti-,” “opposite,” “against,” or “to reverse.” Think of it as a counter-force.

腐 (fǔ): This character means “rotten,” “decayed,” or “corrupt.” It originally depicted rotting meat in a storehouse. It carries a strong negative connotation of moral or physical decay.

Together, 反腐 (fǎnfǔ) creates a vivid and direct meaning: to act against the rot within the system.

The Mandate of Heaven and Modern Politics: The concept of `反腐` taps into a deep-seated cultural belief in China. Historically, widespread corruption was seen as a sign that a dynasty was losing the “Mandate of Heaven” (天命, tiānmìng) and was on the verge of collapse. A ruler's legitimacy was tied to their ability to maintain a just and uncorrupt government. Today, the Communist Party's massive `反腐` campaign, particularly under Xi Jinping since 2012, is framed as a critical struggle for the Party's survival and its legitimacy to rule. It's not just a legal issue; it's an existential political one.

Comparison to Western “Anti-Corruption”: In the West, “fighting corruption” is often associated with the work of an independent judiciary, a free press, and watchdog NGOs. It's seen as a function of checks and balances within a democratic system. In China, `反腐` is a top-down, state- and Party-led campaign. It is executed by powerful internal disciplinary bodies like the `纪委 (jìwěi)`. While it does punish genuine corruption, critics point out that it can also serve as a tool to remove political rivals and consolidate power, a nuance often absent in the Western understanding of the term.

“Swatting Tigers and Flies”: The most famous slogan associated with the campaign is “打虎拍蝇” (dǎ hǔ pāi yíng) - “to swat both tigers and flies.” “Tigers” (老虎) refer to high-ranking, powerful officials, while “flies” (苍蝇) refer to low-level local bureaucrats. This slogan effectively communicates the campaign's stated goal of being comprehensive and unsparing, regardless of an official's rank.

Formal and Official Context: `反腐` is primarily a formal term. You will see and hear it constantly in news broadcasts (especially CCTV's Xinwen Lianbo), government reports, official speeches, and newspaper headlines.

Public Discourse: While it's a formal term, ordinary people use it when discussing politics or news. The `反腐` campaign has been a major topic of conversation for the past decade. Public support for the principle is generally high, though there can be private cynicism about its motives or thoroughness.

Connotation: The act of `反腐` is always portrayed as positive and necessary. The existence of `腐败` (corruption) is, of course, negative. There is no informal or slang usage of this term.

Not Just Any Crime: A common mistake is to think `反腐` applies to all crime. It does not. It specifically targets corruption by those in public or official positions (government, state-owned enterprises, etc.). You would not use it to talk about fighting theft, street crime, or gangsters; for that, you would use `打击犯罪` (dǎjī fànzuì).

Top-Down, Not Bottom-Up: English speakers might imagine “anti-corruption” movements as grassroots citizen initiatives. In the context of modern China, `反腐` is exclusively a top-down, state-directed campaign. Citizen journalists or activists who try to expose corruption on their own often face severe consequences. The “fight” is waged by the Party against its own, not by the people against the state.

Political Instrument: While `反腐` genuinely addresses a real problem, it's crucial to understand it is also a political tool. A high-level official being investigated for corruption might be genuinely corrupt, but the timing and targeting of the investigation can also be politically motivated to remove an opponent or enforce party loyalty. This dual nature is a key nuance often missed by foreign observers.

腐败 (fǔbài) - The noun for “corruption” or “rot.” It is the target that `反腐` aims to eliminate.

贪污 (tānwū) - A specific type of corruption: embezzlement or graft; illegally misappropriating public funds.

贿赂 (huìlù) - Bribery; the act of giving or receiving a bribe.

清廉 (qīnglián) - The direct antonym; describes an official who is honest, upright, and incorruptible.

老虎和苍蝇 (lǎohǔ hé cāngying) - “Tigers and flies,” the famous metaphor for high-level and low-level corrupt officials targeted in the `反腐` campaign.

纪委 (jìwěi) - The Commission for Discipline Inspection, the powerful and often feared internal Communist Party organ responsible for investigating corruption among party members.

双规 (shuāngguī) - A controversial Party disciplinary procedure where a member is detained for interrogation at a designated time and place, outside the formal legal system.

以权谋私 (yǐ quán móu sī) - A common chengyu (idiom): “to use power for personal gain.” This is the essence of corruption.

官僚主义 (guānliáo zhǔyì) - Bureaucratism. The rigid, inefficient, and detached style of bureaucracy that is often seen as a breeding ground for corruption.

反腐倡廉 (fǎnfǔ chànglián) - A common four-character slogan: “Fight corruption and advocate integrity.” It pairs the negative action (`反腐`) with a positive goal (`倡廉`).