phỉnh nịnh
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To toady (to somebody) / To fawn (on/upon somebody): To behave in an excessively flattering and subservient manner towards someone, typically in order to gain favor or advantage. The action is often seen as insincere, manipulative, and self-serving.
- To flatter deceptively: To praise someone excessively and dishonestly with the intention of misleading or deceiving them for one's own benefit.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Hắn ta chỉ biết phỉnh nịnh cấp trên để được thăng chức. (He only knows how to toady to his superiors to get promoted.)
- Đừng nghe những lời phỉnh nịnh của kẻ cơ hội. (Don't listen to the deceptive flattery of opportunists.)
- Bị phỉnh nịnh nhiều, ông ấy mất đi sự tỉnh táo. (Fawned upon too much, he lost his clear judgment.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "phỉnh nịnh" carries a strong negative connotation, implying deceit and a lack of genuine respect. It is stronger and more critical than the neutral verb "khen" (to praise).
Variants and Related Words
Nịnh hót / Nịnh nọt (v): to flatter, to butter up. These are close synonyms, also implying insincerity.
- Anh ấy rất giỏi nịnh hót sếp. (He is very good at buttering up the boss.)
Xu nịnh (v): to flatter obsequiously, to be sycophantic.
- Thái độ xu nịnh đáng khinh. (The obsequious attitude is despicable.)
Phỉnh phờ (v): to coax, to wheedle. This focuses more on using sweet talk to persuade or deceive.
Synonyms
- Toady: to act in an obsequious way to gain advantage.
- Fawn: to give exaggerated flattery or affection.
- Flatter (deceptively): to praise insincerely, especially to manipulate.
- Butter up: (informal) to flatter someone excessively.
Related Idioms
- Phỉnh nịnh bợ đỡ: This phrase intensifies the meaning, combining "phỉnh nịnh" with "bợ đỡ" (toadying), describing extreme and shameless flattery.
- Con đường thăng tiến của hắn chỉ dựa vào phỉnh nịnh bợ đỡ. (His career advancement is based solely on shameless toadying.)
- Toady (to somebody)