Definition

1. Verb:
   • To flatter obsequiously / to toady: To praise someone excessively and insincerely, especially to gain favor or advantage. It implies a servile, fawning attitude.
   • To butter up / to suck up to: To use flattery in a transparent attempt to please someone in a position of power.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta chỉ biết nịnh bợ sếp để được thăng chức. (He only knows how to toady to the boss to get a promotion.)
  • Đừng nịnh bợ tôi! (Don't butter me up!)
  • Hắn nịnh bợ người giàu có để kiếm lợi. (He flatters the wealthy obsequiously to gain benefits.)

Advanced Usage

• The term carries a strong negative connotation, implying dishonesty, manipulation, and a lack of self-respect. It is often used in contexts of power dynamics, such as in the workplace or politics.

Variants and Related Words

• Nịnh hót (v): A close synonym, also meaning to flatter fawningly.
  • Kẻ nịnh hót thường không trung thực. (A sycophant is often dishonest.)
• Bợ đỡ (v): To flatter and curry favor, often used in a similar context to "nịnh bợ."
  • Thái độ bợ đỡ của anh ta thật đáng khinh. (His fawning attitude is despicable.)

Synonyms

• Flatter obsequiously: To praise with excessive and servile admiration.
• Toady: To act in an obsequious way to gain advantage.
• Fawn: To flatter or praise excessively, to show exaggerated affection.
• Suck up to: (Informal) To try to gain favor through flattery.

Related Idioms

• Nịnh đầm: Literally "to flatter the lady," used to describe a man who uses flattery to charm women.
  • Anh chàng đó giỏi nịnh đầm lắm. (That guy is very good at sweet-talking women.)
• Bợm nịnh: Refers to a person who is a habitual flatterer, a sycophant.
  • Cả công ty đều biết hắn là tay bợm nịnh. (The whole company knows he's a sycophant.)

1. Toady (to somebody)