Translation guide
The English verb "flatter" means to praise someone, often to make them feel good or to gain favor. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is お世辞を言う, but there are many nuanced expressions depending on sincerity, formality, and context. This guide covers natural ways to express flattery, from casual compliments to insincere buttering up.
To compliment someone in a way that may be slightly exaggerated or insincere, often to make them feel good or to gain an advantage.
He often flatters his boss.
I'm happy even if it's just flattery.
Means "to praise" or "compliment." It can be used for sincere praise, but in context it can also imply flattery. Often softer than お世辞.
She flattered me by complimenting my clothes.
Means to flatter or butter someone up, often with the intention of manipulating them. Slightly more negative than お世辞を言う.
Often used in the phrase おだてに乗る (to be swayed by flattery).
He tried to flatter me into lending him money.
Literally "to lift up," figuratively means to flatter or praise excessively. Often used when someone is being buttered up.
He's always flattering his boss.
To flatter someone with an ulterior motive, often excessively or dishonestly.
Means to curry favor or suck up to someone by flattering them. Very common in workplace or social climbing contexts.
He's always sucking up to the boss.
Slangy term for flattering or buttering up, often used in a joking or critical way. Derived from the sound made when lifting something heavy.
He's always buttering up the department head.
A formal/literary word meaning to flatter or fawn over someone, often with a negative connotation of servility.
To compliment someone's looks, often as a form of flattery.
To express that flattery, even if recognized as such, is pleasing.
A set phrase meaning "I'm happy even if it's just flattery." Used when you suspect the compliment isn't genuine but appreciate it anyway.
I'm happy to hear that, even if it's just flattery.
Literally "Being praised doesn't feel bad." A modest way to acknowledge that flattery is still pleasant.
To express that someone is flattering themselves, often in a negative sense of being conceited.
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches "flatter" in all contexts. Using お世辞を言う is the safest general option, but pay attention to the nuance you want to convey.
お世辞 implies the praise may be exaggerated or insincere, while 褒める is more neutral and can be sincere. Use お世辞 when you want to emphasize the flattery aspect.
When someone flatters you, a common humble response is そんなことないです (That's not true) or お世辞ですよ (You're just flattering me). Accepting a compliment directly can be seen as arrogant.
Don't try to flatter me.
I'm not flattering you; I really mean it.
He flattered her into doing the work.
権力者に諂う人は信用できない。
People who flatter those in power can't be trusted.
He always flatters me by saying I'm cute.
Even though I know it's flattery, it doesn't feel bad to be praised.
He's always flattering himself.