bợ đỡ
Definition
- Verb:
- To flatter obsequiously, to fawn, to toady: The act of excessively praising or showing exaggerated respect towards someone, especially someone in a position of power or wealth, in order to gain favor or advantage. It implies a servile, insincere, and often self-seeking attitude.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Anh ta chỉ biết bợ đỡ sếp để được thăng chức. (He only knows how to fawn over the boss to get a promotion.)
- Tôi ghét thái độ bợ đỡ những người có quyền thế. (I despise the attitude of toadying to powerful people.)
- Hắn luôn bợ đỡ ông chủ mới. (He is always flattering the new boss obsequiously.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "bợ đỡ" carries a strong negative connotation, implying a lack of dignity and principle in the person performing the action. It is more critical than the neutral verb "khen" (to praise).
- It often describes a consistent pattern of behavior rather than a single act.
Variants and Related Words
- Nịnh hót / Nịnh nọt (verb): To flatter, to adulate. These are close synonyms, also with a negative sense, but "bợ đỡ" often emphasizes a more servile, lower-status position.
- Xu nịnh (verb): To curry favor, to flatter. A more literary synonym.
- Kẻ bợ đỡ (noun): A flatterer, a sycophant, a toady.
- Đám đông đó toàn là lũ bợ đỡ. (That crowd is just a bunch of sycophants.)
Synonyms
- Nịnh hót: To flatter.
- Xu nịnh: To fawn upon, to curry favor.
- Luồn cúi: To grovel, to act in a servile manner (can be broader than just verbal flattery).
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
- Bợ đỡ, nịnh hót: This is a common paired phrase emphasizing the act of fawning and flattering.
- Suốt ngày chỉ biết bợ đỡ, nịnh hót cấp trên. (All day long, he only knows how to fawn over and flatter his superiors.)
Related Idioms
- Bợ đỡ, xu nịnh: Similar to the paired phrase above, used to strongly condemn servile behavior.
- Giỏi bợ đỡ: Skilled at flattery/toadying (used sarcastically).
- Hắn chẳng có tài cán gì, chỉ giỏi bợ đỡ mà thôi. (He has no real talent, he's just skilled at toadying.)