Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Flatter" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "flatter", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
煽てる
おだてる (odateru)
N2 / 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 煽てる and 胡麻をする.
In Japanese, 煽てる (おだてる (odateru)) is typically associated with "to flatter, to butter up, to instigate" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents To praise someone excessively, often with an ulterior motive, to make them feel good or do something..
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 "煽てる"
部下を煽てて仕事をさせるのは、上手な上司のやり方だ。
Flattering subordinates to get them to work is a clever trick of a good boss.
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: "部下を煽てて仕事をさせるのは、上手な上司のやり方だ。" (Meaning: "Flattering subordinates to get them to work is a clever trick of a good boss.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "煽てる" fits here because it means "to flatter, to butter up, to instigate" in the context of: "Flattering subordinates to get them to work is a clever trick of a good boss.". "胡麻をする" represents "to flatter, to suck up".