German word

Kompliment

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔmpliˈmɛnt/

Meaning

  • neuter nouncompliment

Example

Er machte ihr ehrliche Komplimente.

He gave her sincere compliments.

Illustration for Kompliment (compliment)

More examples

Sie reagierte verlegen auf das Kompliment.

She reacted awkwardly to the compliment.

Core concept

A small verbal gift that highlights someone's quality, effort, or appearance.

Common phrases

  • ein Kompliment machen

    give a compliment

  • auf ein Kompliment reagieren

    respond to a compliment

Similar words

Lob: Praise expressed for something someone has done or achieved.
Anerkennung: Acknowledgment that someone's effort, contribution, or position deserves respect.
Wertschätzung: An expression of care and respect for someone's value or presence.
Schmeichelei: Overblown praise offered mainly to make someone pleased or cooperative.

Definition in German

Wort oder Ausdruck, mit dem man jemandem Anerkennung oder Lob ausspricht.

Word origin

Kompliment entered German through French compliment, which came through Italian from Latin complementum, meaning completion or fulfillment.

Usage tips

  • German Kompliment means praise, while English complement means something that completes or matches; the two words are related but not interchangeable.

Opposites

Related words

  • komplimentierencomplimentverb

Word lists with this word