Definition
恭维 (gōng wéi) means 'to flatter' — giving insincere praise, often to gain favor. It is more subtle and calculated than 捧 (pěng) 'to flatter excessively' and 吹捧 (chuī pěng) 'to lavish insincere praise', which are stronger and more colloquial. 过奖 (guò jiǎng) is a polite response to a compliment, not an action you do to others.
verb
to flatterto butter up (often insincerely)
Examples
- 恭维，。Tā zǒng ài gōng wéi lǐngdǎo, xiǎng dédào tíbá.He always flatters the leadership, hoping to get promoted.
- ，。Tā suīrán zuǐ shang shuō gōng wéi huà, xīnli qíshí kànbuqǐ nǐ.Though she says flattering words, in her heart she actually looks down on you.
- 恭维，。Nǐ bié gōng wéi wǒ le, wǒ zhīdào zìjǐ bù xíng.Stop flattering me — I know I'm not good enough.
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