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.
He's just a flatterer.
Literally 'sesame grinder', a colloquial term for a sycophant or bootlicker. Implies servile flattery.
That guy is always sucking up to the boss.
A more formal term for a flatterer or sycophant. Often used in written contexts.
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.
He acted just like a professional flatterer.
A person who gives a lot of compliments, not necessarily with bad intentions.
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.
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.
He's a flatterer, but not a bad person.
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.
He's popular because he's good at flattery.