Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Flatter" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "flatter", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
おだてる
おだてる (odateru)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
胡麻をする
ごまをする (gomawosuru)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "flatter" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between おだてる and 胡麻をする.
In Japanese, おだてる (おだてる (odateru)) is typically associated with "to flatter" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus..
On the other hand, 胡麻をする (ごまをする (gomawosuru)) maps to "to flatter, to suck up" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "flatter" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "おだてる"
毎日、日本語を練習するためにおだてる。
Every day, I flatter to practice Japanese.
Bilingual Context for "胡麻をする"
毎日、日本語を練習するために胡麻をする。
Every day, I flatter, to suck up to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "毎日、日本語を練習するために ＿＿＿ 。" (Meaning: "Every day, I flatter to practice Japanese.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "おだてる" fits here because it means "to flatter" in the context of: "Every day, I flatter to practice Japanese.". "胡麻をする" represents "to flatter, to suck up".