HSK · Level 114
45 words
Chinese word
迎合
Pronunciation
Pinyinyíng hé
Meaning
- verbcater to
Example
他总是迎合别人的意见。tā zǒng shì yíng hé bié rén de yì jiàn
He always caters to other people's views.
More examples
为了销量，他开始迎合年轻消费者的口味。wèi le xiāo liàng tā kāi shǐ yíng hé nián qīng xiāo fèi zhě de kǒu wèi
To increase sales, he began catering to young consumers' tastes.
Core concept
Turns one's words or conduct toward another person's preferred direction and aligns with it to secure goodwill.
Common phrases
迎合市场yíng hé shì chǎng
cater to the marketplace
迎合大众yíng hé dà zhòng
cater to the masses
迎合客户yíng hé kè hù
cater to customers
Similar words
讨好táo hǎo: Speaking or acting to make someone like you, often to gain favor or help.
迁就qiān jiù: Giving in to someone's wishes or situation by limiting or changing one's own demands.
顺应shùn yìng: Adapting oneself or one's methods to outside changes or requirements.
献媚xiàn mèi: Fawning on powerful or influential people to gain their favor or praise.
Definition in Chinese
为了迎合他人的喜好或意见而改变自己的言行，常含讨好或迁就的意味。wèi le yíng hé tā rén de xǐ hào huò yì jiàn ér gǎi biàn zì jǐ de yán xíng cháng hán táo hǎo huò qiān jiù de yì wèi
Word origin
The compound 迎合 (yínghé, "to cater to") combines 迎 (yíng, "go toward") with 合 (hé, "be in accord"), linking movement toward a person with making oneself agree with that person.
Usage tips
- In English, cater to is often neutral, but everyday Chinese uses 迎合 (yínghé, "cater to") often to suggest excessive pleasing, so it can sound more critical than the English phrase.