HSK · Level 105
45 words
Chinese word
恭维
Pronunciation
Pinyingōng wéi
Meaning
- verbflatter
Example
别总是恭维我，实话说就行。bié zǒng shì gōng wéi wǒ shí huà shuō jiù xíng
Don't always flatter me; just tell me the truth.
More examples
为了晋升，他在会议上经常向上级恭维。wèi le jìn shēng tā zài huì yì shàng jīng cháng xiàng shàng jí gōng wéi
To get promoted, he often flatters his superiors at meetings.
Core concept
A compliment shaped less by factual judgment than by the wish to please and keep a relationship smooth.
Common phrases
向上级恭维xiàng shàng jí gōng wéi
flatter superiors
礼貌地恭维lǐ mào dì gōng wéi
flatter politely
过分地恭维guò fèn dì gōng wéi
flatter excessively
Similar words
夸kuā: Praising someone or something by openly pointing out its good qualities.
赞扬zàn yáng: Publicly praising a person's good actions or an achievement.
讨好táo hǎo: Acting in a pleasing way to win someone's favor.
奉承fèng chéng: Using flattering words to win favor by making someone feel pleased.
Definition in Chinese
以恭敬或奉承的言语表示赞赏或讨好，侧重言辞的社交功能而非事实的评价。yǐ gōng jìng huò fèng chéng de yán yǔ biǎo shì zàn shǎng huò táo hǎo cè zhòng yán cí de shè jiāo gōng néng ér fēi shì shí de píng jià
Word origin
The compound 恭维 (gōngwéi, "flatter") joins 恭 (gōng, "respectful") with 维 (wéi, "maintain"), linking respectful praise with preserving goodwill.
Usage tips
- As a verb, it usually takes the person receiving the praise as its object, while the specific praise can be described separately.