Translation guide
The English word 'adulation' refers to excessive admiration or praise, often with a sense of flattery or worship. In Japanese, expressing this concept depends on the context: whether it's general excessive praise, flattery, or the act of idolizing someone. Direct translations can sound unnatural, so it's important to choose the right expression for the situation.
To describe the act of praising someone excessively, often insincerely or to gain favor.
Refers to flattery or compliments that are not entirely sincere, often used to describe empty praise.
He is always flattering his boss.
Means sycophancy or excessive flattery, often with a negative connotation of groveling.
I'm fed up with his sycophancy.
A literary term for flattery or adulation, implying servile behavior.
His adulation is unsightly.
To describe the act of admiring someone to an extreme degree, as if they were a hero or idol.
Means worship or adoration, often used for fans' extreme admiration of celebrities or historical figures.
She adores that singer.
Literally 'idolization', referring to the process of turning someone into an idol or treating them as one.
Means deification or treating someone as a god, used for extreme adulation.
To describe the action of giving abundant praise, often publicly or excessively.
A verb meaning to praise someone lavishly or excessively, often used in casual contexts.
He lavished praise on her cooking.
Means to praise highly or rave about something, often used in reviews or public acclaim.
The critics raved about the movie.
Literally 'to lift up', used figuratively to mean flattering or praising someone to manipulate them.
The English word 'adulation' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Using a dictionary translation like 追従 or 諂い in casual conversation may sound overly formal or unnatural. Choose the expression based on the specific nuance you want to convey.
お世辞 is the most common word for flattery and can be used in everyday situations. 追従 implies a more servile, sycophantic attitude and is stronger in negativity. Use お世辞 for general insincere compliments, and 追従 when emphasizing groveling or excessive flattery.
The actor was uncomfortable with the adulation of his fans.
She dismissed his praise as mere adulation.
若者の間で彼の偶像化が進んでいる。
His idolization is spreading among young people.
死後、彼は神格化された。
After his death, he was deified.
He flattered his boss and got promoted.