Translation guide
The English phrase "curry favor" means to try to gain advantage or approval through flattery or ingratiating behavior. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various verbs and set phrases that convey obsequiousness, flattery, or sucking up, with nuances depending on the relationship and context.
To express the act of trying to win someone's favor through insincere praise or attention, often in workplace or social hierarchies.
A common and relatively neutral phrase meaning to get on someone's good side or butter them up. It implies making an effort to please someone, often through flattery or small favors.
彼は上司のご機嫌を取って昇進しようとしている。
He's trying to curry favor with his boss to get a promotion.
Literally "to say flattery." This focuses on the verbal aspect of currying favor—giving compliments that may be exaggerated or insincere.
彼女はいつも先生にお世辞を言って成績を上げてもらおうとする。
She always tries to curry favor with the teacher by flattering her to get better grades.
A verb meaning to fawn over or be obsequious. It has a negative connotation, implying a lack of dignity. Often used when someone is overly flattering to gain favor.
彼は権力者に媚びてばかりいる。
He's always currying favor with those in power.
Means to ingratiate oneself with someone, often with a strategic or manipulative intent. It suggests worming one's way into someone's good graces.
新入社員は先輩に取り入ろうと必死だ。
The new employee is desperate to curry favor with his seniors.
A colloquial noun/suru-verb meaning "brown-nosing" or "apple-polishing." It vividly describes the act of grinding sesame seeds (a metaphor for excessive flattery). Casual and slightly vulgar.
彼のごますりにはうんざりだ。
I'm sick of his brown-nosing.
To express gaining favor by doing favors, giving gifts, or being overly helpful, rather than just words.
Similar to ご機嫌を取る but slightly less polite. It can involve actions like bringing gifts or doing tasks to please someone.
彼は毎朝コーヒーを買ってきて上司の機嫌を取っている。
He curries favor with his boss by bringing him coffee every morning.
To emphasize the excessive, undignified nature of the flattery, often with a sense of groveling.
A formal/literary verb meaning to flatter servilely or toady. It conveys a strong sense of obsequiousness and is less common in everyday speech.
彼は上司にへつらうことなく自分の意見を述べた。
He stated his opinion without currying favor with his boss.
A literary term meaning to flatter or fawn upon someone in a sycophantic way. It implies a lack of integrity and is rarely used in conversation.
There is no single Japanese word that directly translates "curry favor." Using a literal translation like 好意をカレーする would be nonsensical. Always choose a phrase that matches the specific nuance of flattery, ingratiation, or sucking up.
ご機嫌を取る is a relatively neutral phrase for trying to please someone, while 媚びる has a stronger negative connotation of being obsequious and undignified. Use 媚びる when you want to criticize the behavior.
彼はいつも上司のご機嫌を取ろうとしている。
He's always trying to curry favor with the boss.
彼女は義理の両親の機嫌を取るために贈り物を持って行った。
She brought gifts to curry favor with her in-laws.
Literally "score-earning," this phrase is used when someone does something specifically to gain brownie points or improve their standing, often in a transparently self-serving way.
彼のボランティア活動はただの点数稼ぎだ。
His volunteer work is just a way to curry favor.
Politicians who curry favor with power cannot be trusted.