fèngcheng: 奉承 - To Flatter, To Fawn Over, To Curry Favor

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• Summary: Discover the meaning of 奉承 (fèngcheng), a key Chinese verb for “to flatter” or “fawn over.” This page explains its strong negative connotation of insincere praise used to curry favor, especially in business or hierarchical settings. Learn how 奉承 (fèngcheng) differs from a simple compliment (夸奖), its cultural roots in concepts like “face” (面子), and how to use it correctly with 10 practical example sentences. A must-read for any learner navigating social and professional life in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fèngcheng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To flatter or praise someone, often excessively or insincerely, in order to gain favor.
• In a Nutshell: `奉承` is not just a compliment. It's the act of “sucking up” or “brown-nosing.” It carries a strong negative connotation and implies that the praise is not genuine, but rather a strategic tool used by someone in a lower position to please a superior for personal gain. While the person being flattered might enjoy it, the act itself is generally viewed with disdain.

• 奉 (fèng): This character originally depicted two hands (廾) respectfully offering something. It means “to offer (with respect),” “to present,” or “to receive an order.” It carries a sense of reverence and respect for a superior.
• 承 (chéng): This character means “to receive,” “to bear,” or “to continue.” The image is of a person kneeling to receive something, indicating acceptance from a higher authority.
• Together, 奉承 (fèngcheng) paints a vivid picture of someone respectfully “offering up” agreement and praise in order to be “received” favorably by someone of a higher status. The meaning has evolved to emphasize the insincere and self-serving nature of this act.

`奉承` is deeply embedded in the dynamics of Chinese social hierarchy and the concept of 面子 (miànzi) - face. In a culture where maintaining harmonious relationships and respecting seniority is crucial, the line between showing respect and excessive flattery can sometimes be blurry.

• Comparison to Western “Flattery”: While “flattery” or “sucking up” exists everywhere, `奉承` is often discussed more openly as a social strategy in China. In the West, directly complimenting a boss might be seen as genuine appreciation. In China, excessive praise towards a leader can be immediately interpreted as `奉承`, an attempt to 讨好 (tǎohǎo) - curry favor. The key difference lies in the assumption of motive: `奉承` almost always presumes a self-serving, ulterior motive tied to the hierarchical structure.
• Harmony and Hierarchy: The act of `奉承` can be a tool to lubricate social interactions within a strict hierarchy. A subordinate might `奉承` a manager not just for a promotion, but to ensure a smooth working relationship and avoid causing the manager to lose face. While the act is looked down upon as insincere, it is sometimes seen as a pragmatic, if unappealing, part of navigating complex social and professional environments.

`奉承` is a common word used to describe behavior seen in the workplace, business negotiations, and even social climbing.

• In the Workplace: This is the most common context. An employee who constantly agrees with the boss, laughs too loudly at their jokes, and praises their every minor decision is a classic example of someone who likes to `奉承`.
  • Example: 他只会奉承领导，一点实际能力都没有。(Tā zhǐ huì fèngcheng lǐngdǎo, yīdiǎn shíjì nénglì dōu méiyǒu.) - He only knows how to flatter the leadership; he has no real ability.
• In Business: Flattering a potential client about their company's reputation, their personal wisdom, or their influence is a common, if transparent, tactic.
  • Example: 在酒桌上，他不停地奉承客户。(Zài jiǔzhuō shàng, tā bùtíng de fèngcheng kèhù.) - At the dinner table, he non-stop flattered the client.
• Connotation: The connotation of `奉承` is almost universally negative. It implies the person is sycophantic, dishonest, and lacks integrity. Being called someone who `奉承`s others is a strong criticism.

• Example 1:
  • 我不喜欢那些总是奉承老板的同事。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bù xǐhuān nàxiē zǒngshì fèngcheng lǎobǎn de tóngshì.
  • English: I don't like those colleagues who are always sucking up to the boss.
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly expresses a negative opinion about the act of `奉承` in a workplace context.
• Example 2:
  • 你别奉承我了，我知道我的方案还有很多问题。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bié fèngcheng wǒ le, wǒ zhīdào wǒ de fāng'àn háiyǒu hěnduō wèntí.
  • English: Stop flattering me; I know my proposal still has many problems.
  • Analysis: Here, the speaker is rejecting the flattery, showing they are aware of its insincerity. `别…了 (bié…le)` is a common pattern for “stop doing something.”
• Example 3:
  • 他很会奉承人，所以他在公司里很受欢迎。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn huì fèngcheng rén, suǒyǐ tā zài gōngsī lǐ hěn shòu huānyíng.
  • English: He is very good at flattering people, so he is very popular in the company.
  • Analysis: This sentence points out that despite its negative nature, the ability to `奉承` can be a socially effective (though perhaps unadmirable) skill.
• Example 4:
  • 他的一番奉承话说得经理心花怒放。
  • Pinyin: Tā de yī fān fèngcheng huà shuō de jīnglǐ xīnhuānùfàng.
  • English: His string of flattering words made the manager ecstatic.
  • Analysis: Here, `奉承` is used as a noun modifier for `话 (huà)`, meaning “flattering words.” `心花怒放 (xīnhuānùfàng)` is an idiom for being overjoyed.
• Example 5:
  • 我宁愿说实话得罪人，也不愿意奉承别人。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ nìngyuàn shuō shíhuà dézuì rén, yě bù yuànyì fèngcheng biérén.
  • English: I would rather offend people by telling the truth than flatter others.
  • Analysis: This sentence sets up a strong moral contrast, highlighting the speaker's integrity against the act of `奉承`. The `宁愿…也… (nìngyuàn…yě…)` structure means “would rather… than…”.
• Example 6:
  • 这种阿谀奉承之徒，我们应该远离。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng ēyú fèngcheng zhī tú, wǒmen yīnggāi yuǎnlí.
  • English: We should stay away from this kind of sycophant.
  • Analysis: This uses the four-character idiom `阿谀奉承 (ēyú fèngcheng)`, which is a more formal and intense way of saying `奉承`. `之徒 (zhī tú)` is a formal way to say “a type of person” or “a follower,” often with a negative meaning.
• Example 7:
  • 他只是实话实说，不是在奉承你。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhǐshì shíhuà shíshuō, bùshì zài fèngcheng nǐ.
  • English: He is just speaking the truth, he's not flattering you.
  • Analysis: This is a common way to defend someone's compliment, clarifying that their praise is genuine and not `奉承`.
• Example 8:
  • 为了得到那个项目，他不得不去奉承几个关键人物。
  • Pinyin: Wèile dédào nàgè xiàngmù, tā bùdébù qù fèngcheng jǐ ge guānjiàn rénwù.
  • English: In order to get that project, he had no choice but to go and flatter a few key people.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the pragmatic, goal-oriented nature of `奉承`. The phrase `不得不 (bùdébù)` means “have no choice but to,” suggesting it's an unpleasant but necessary action.
• Example 9:
  • 我最讨厌的就是他那副奉承的嘴脸。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuì tǎoyàn de jiùshì tā nà fù fèngcheng de zuǐliǎn.
  • English: What I hate the most is his sycophantic expression.
  • Analysis: `嘴脸 (zuǐliǎn)` literally means “mouth-face” and is a very strong, negative word used to describe a person's disgusting or contemptible look. Paired with `奉承`, it expresses deep disgust.
• Example 10:
  • 领导明知道下属在奉承他，但听着还是很高兴。
  • Pinyin: Lǐngdǎo míngzhīdào xiàshǔ zài fèngcheng tā, dàn tīngzhe háishì hěn gāoxìng.
  • English: The leader clearly knew his subordinate was flattering him, but he was still happy to hear it.
  • Analysis: This sentence reveals a common dynamic: even when the flattery is obvious, it can still be effective because it appeals to the recipient's ego and helps them maintain face.

The most common mistake for learners is to confuse `奉承 (fèngcheng)` with a genuine compliment.

• `奉承 (fèngcheng)` vs. `夸奖 (kuājiǎng)` - To Praise:
  • `奉承` is insincere praise directed upwards to a superior to gain favor. It's about the flatterer's benefit.
    • *Incorrect:* 老师奉承我的中文说得好。(Lǎoshī fèngcheng wǒ de Zhōngwén shuō de hǎo.)
    • *Why it's wrong:* This implies the teacher (superior) is sucking up to the student (subordinate), which inverts the power dynamic. It makes no sense.
  • `夸奖 (kuājiǎng)` is genuine praise, often from a superior to a subordinate, or between equals. It's about acknowledging a real achievement or quality.
    • *Correct:* 老师夸奖我的中文说得好。(Lǎoshī kuājiǎng wǒ de Zhōngwén shuō de hǎo.)
    • *Why it's right:* The teacher is genuinely complimenting the student's Chinese ability.

Think of it this way: a boss `夸奖`s an employee for good work. An employee `奉承`s a boss by praising their terrible new haircut.

• 拍马屁 (pāi mǎpì) - Literally “to pat the horse's butt.” A very common and colloquial synonym for `奉承`, with the same strong negative connotation of being a suck-up.
• 阿谀奉承 (ē yú fèng chéng) - A formal idiom (chengyu) that intensifies the meaning of `奉承`. It means “to flatter and fawn on.”
• 讨好 (tǎohǎo) - To curry favor with, to ingratiate oneself. This term focuses more on the goal (making someone like you) rather than the method (praise).
• 巴结 (bājie) - To fawn on, to curry favor with. A strong, negative synonym that implies actively trying to get close to someone powerful for personal gain.
• 夸奖 (kuājiǎng) - A key antonym in practice. It means “to praise” or “to compliment,” and is usually considered genuine and positive.
• 赞美 (zànměi) - To praise or admire. This is typically used for genuine, heartfelt admiration of a person, an act, or even a piece of art. It is highly positive.
• 恭维 (gōngwei) - To compliment. This word is a bit of a middle ground. It can be a polite, sincere compliment, but it can also be used for flattery that is less greasy than `奉承`. It often feels more socially obligatory.
• 谄媚 (chǎnmèi) - To flatter in a servile or fawning manner. This is a very strong and formal word, even more negative than `奉承`, emphasizing a degrading, servant-like attitude.