へつらい

へ

つ

ら

い

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

Refers to insincere praise or excessive compliments intended to gain favor. Often used in negative contexts, implying servile or obsequious behavior.

彼かれの言こと葉ばは単たんなるへつらいに過すぎない。
His words are nothing but flattery.
上じょう司しへのへつらいが目めに余あまる。
His sycophancy toward his boss is unbearable.

See all 4 example sentences ›

Kanji

諂flatter
諛flatter

Related words

お世せ辞じ
お世辞 is a more common and lighter term for flattery or compliments, often used in social situations without strong negative connotations. へつらい implies a more servile and insincere attitude.
追つい従しょう
追従 also means flattery or sycophancy, but it can be used as a suru-verb (追従する). へつらい is a noun and often appears in the phrase へつらいの言葉 or へつらいを言う.

Written forms

へつらいUsage83%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 諂い and 諛い are rare and may not be recognized by many readers.
諂へつらいUsage17%
Rare kanji spelling; the character 諂 is not in the Jōyō kanji list.
諛へつらい
Rare kanji spelling; the character 諛 is not in the Jōyō kanji list.

Etymology

Derived from the verb へつらう (to flatter). The kanji 諂 and 諛 both carry meanings related to flattery, but the word is now predominantly written in kana.