Translation guide
Describes a person who praises others excessively or insincerely, often to gain favor. Japanese has several nuanced terms depending on the intent and context.
Someone who flatters to gain advantage, often with negative connotations.
A person who habitually uses flattery (お世辞). Common and straightforward.
彼はただのお世辞屋だ。
He's just a flatterer.
Literally 'sesame grinder', a colloquial term for a sycophant or bootlicker. Implies servile flattery.
あいつは上司にごますりばかりしている。
That guy is always sucking up to the boss.
A more formal term for a flatterer or sycophant. Often used in written contexts.
彼は権力者の追従者に過ぎない。
He is nothing more than a flatterer of the powerful.
Historically a professional entertainer who flattered guests; now used for a shameless flatterer or hanger-on.
彼はまるで太鼓持ちのように振る舞った。
He acted just like a professional flatterer.
A person who gives a lot of compliments, not necessarily with bad intentions.
Literally 'good at praising', describes someone skilled at giving sincere compliments. Not inherently negative.
彼女は褒め上手で、みんなを嬉しくさせる。
She's good at giving compliments and makes everyone happy.
Skilled at flattery; can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context.
彼はお世辞上手だから、人気がある。
He's popular because he's good at flattery.
A very derogatory term for someone who flatters obsequiously.
Vulgar slang for an ass-kisser. Very informal and offensive.
Extremely rude; avoid in polite conversation.
あんなケツ舐め野郎とは仕事したくない。
I don't want to work with such an ass-kisser.
お世辞屋 is a general term for someone who flatters, while ごますり emphasizes servile, ingratiating behavior, often toward superiors. ごますり is more colloquial and negative.
彼はお世辞屋だが、悪い人ではない。
He's a flatterer, but not a bad person.
ごますりばかりしていると信用を失うよ。
If you keep sucking up, you'll lose trust.
There is no single direct equivalent. Using お世辞屋 or ごますり covers most cases, but context determines the best choice. Avoid literal translations like へつらう人, which sounds unnatural.