Definition

1. 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.)

1. Toady (to somebody)