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巧言令色 (kougenreishoku) Japanese meaning: flattery | Kotomora
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巧こう
言げん
令れい
色しょく
に
騙だま
さ
れ
ない
よう
に
気き
を
つけ
て
。
Be careful not to be deceived by his flattery and smooth talk.
Honeyed words and an ingratiating manner undermine trust.
Kanji 巧 adroit, skilled, ingenuity Related words お 世せ 辞じ お世辞 is a common, everyday word for flattery or compliments, often used in social situations. 巧言令色 is a more formal, literary yojijukugo with a stronger negative connotation of insincerity and manipulation.
甘かん 言げん 甘言 refers specifically to sweet or seductive words, often used to coax someone. 巧言令色 encompasses both flattering speech and a fawning demeanor.
Etymology From the Analects of Confucius (『論語』), where it is said that 'clever talk and a pretentious manner' are seldom found in the virtuous. The four-character compound is a direct borrowing from Classical Chinese.
