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お上手を言う (おじょうずをいう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-u)
flatter ; butter up ; say nice things to gain favor
A set phrase meaning to say flattering things, often with an implication of insincerity or to curry favor. The お上手 part literally means 'skillful' but here refers to compliments.
じょうず
を
言い
っ
て
も
何なに
も
出で
ませ
ん
よ
。
Even if you butter me up like that, you won't get anything.
Similar words お 世せ 辞じ を 言い う お世辞を言う also means to flatter, but is more direct about giving compliments, while お上手を言う emphasizes saying skillful or clever things to please someone, often with a nuance of manipulation.
ご 機き 嫌げん を 取と る ご機嫌を取る focuses on trying to put someone in a good mood, often through actions or words, whereas お上手を言う is specifically about using flattering speech.
Etymology The phrase combines the honorific prefix お with 上手 (skillful) and 言う (to say), literally 'to say skillful things'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is a conventional expression for flattery.
