Definition

1. Verb:
   • To flatter / To butter up: The primary meaning of "nịnh nọt" is to praise someone excessively and often insincerely in order to gain favor, please them, or manipulate them.
   • To sweet-talk / To coax: It can also describe using charming or pleasing words to persuade someone, often to get what one wants.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta luôn nịnh nọt sếp để được thăng chức. (He always flatters the boss to get a promotion.)
  • Đừng nịnh nọt tôi nữa, tôi biết bạn muốn mượn xe. (Stop sweet-talking me, I know you want to borrow the car.)
  • Cô ấy nịnh nọt bố mẹ để được đi chơi. (She coaxed her parents to let her go out.)

Advanced Usage

• The term carries a strong negative connotation of insincerity and manipulation. It implies the praise is a calculated tool, not a genuine compliment.

Variants and Related Words

• Nịnh (v): A shorter, more common synonym for "nịnh nọt," meaning to flatter.
  • Cậu ấy giỏi nịnh khách hàng. (He is good at flattering clients.)
• Nịnh hót (v): A more vivid and colloquial variant with the same meaning, emphasizing the empty, noisy nature of the flattery.
• Tán tỉnh (v): To flirt or court romantically, which can involve flattery but is specific to romantic pursuits.

Synonyms

• Flatter: To praise excessively and often insincerely.
• Butter up: To use flattery to make someone feel friendly or favorable.
• Coax: To persuade gently or by flattery.
• Sweet-talk: To use charming or flattering words to persuade.

Related Idioms

• Nịnh đầm: To flatter women, often in a romantic or ingratiating context.
  • Anh chàng đó chỉ giỏi nịnh đầm. (That guy is only good at flattering women.)
• Nịnh thần: To flatter someone as if they were a god; to engage in extreme, obsequious flattery.
  • Thái độ nịnh thần của hắn trông thật đáng khinh. (His god-flattering attitude looks despicable.)

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