へつらう

へ

つ

ら

う

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-u), intransitive verb

flatter; curry favor with; suck up to

usually written using kana alone

Describes insincere, self-serving praise or behavior toward someone in a higher position. Often has a negative connotation of groveling or bootlicking.

彼かれは上じょう司しにへつらってばかりいる。
He is always sucking up to his boss.
権けん力

りょく

者しゃ

に

へつらう

人ひと

は

信しん

用よう

でき

ない

。

People who flatter those in power cannot be trusted.

Written forms

へつらうUsage65%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 諂う and 諛う are rare.
諂へつらうUsage31%
Rare kanji form; the kana spelling is strongly preferred.
諛へつらうUsage4%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; the kana spelling is strongly preferred.

Kanji

諂flatter
諛flatter

Similar words

お世せ辞じを言いう
お世辞を言う means to give a compliment, often insincere but usually lighter and more socially acceptable than へつらう, which implies groveling or excessive flattery for personal gain.
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 kind words or actions, while へつらう emphasizes flattery with a self-serving, obsequious tone.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. The kanji 諂 and 諛 both carry meanings related to flattery, but the word itself is native Japanese and usually written in kana.