Japanese word

おだてる

Pronunciation

Romajiodateru

Meaning

  • verbflatter

Example

彼は友達をおだてます。kare wa tomo dachi o o da te ma su

He flatters his friend.

Illustration for おだてる (flatter)

More examples

彼女は弟をおだてて、宿題をさせました。kano jo wa otōto o o da te te shuku dai o sa se ma shi ta

She flattered her little brother and got him to do his homework.

Core concept

It involves making someone feel unusually pleased with praise in order to influence the person's behavior.

Common phrases

  • 人をおだてるhito o o da te ru

    flatter someone

Similar words

持ち上げるmochiageru: To praise someone more highly than necessary, often to gain cooperation or a favorable response.
へつらうhetsurau: To flatter someone with submissive praise in order to secure goodwill or support.
褒めるhomeru: To express approval of a person, action, or quality without implying a hidden purpose.

Definition in Japanese

相手を喜ばせるようにほめて、望む行動をするよう仕向ける。ai te o yoroko ba se ru yō ni ho me te nozo mu kō dō o su ru yō shi mu ke ru

Word origin

おだてる (odateru) is a native Japanese verb, but its origin is uncertain; 煽てる (odateru) is a kanji spelling used for the word, not a secure explanation of its formation.

Usage tips

  • The expression おだてに乗る (odate ni noru, "to fall for flattery") describes accepting praise that is meant to influence someone's actions.

Other meanings

  • cajoleverb
  • sweet-talkverb

Opposites

Related words

  • おだてodateflatterynoun

Word lists with this word