Definition
歌功颂德 is a four-character idiom that literally means 'to sing of merits and eulogize virtues,' but it's almost always used with a negative tone — it describes excessive, sycophantic praise, often of a leader or institution, implying the praise is undeserved or politically motivated. You'll see it in political or organizational contexts where someone is being flattered for ulterior motives. The phrase is a fixed expression (成语) and cannot be split or modified.
f.e.
to sing the praises of (someone) excessively or sycophanticallyto engage in flattery and eulogy
Examples
- 歌功颂德，。Zhè piān wénzhāng tōngpiān dōu zài gē gōng sòng dé, méiyǒu rènhé pīpíng.This article is full of sycophantic praise, with no criticism at all.
- 歌功颂德，。Tā zhǐ xǐhuan tīng gē gōng sòng dé de huà, tīng bu jìn bùtóng yìjiàn.He only likes to hear flattering words and can't accept different opinions.
- 歌功颂德。Zhè zhǒng gē gōng sòng dé de fēngqì zài guānchǎng shàng hěn chángjiàn.This kind of sycophantic atmosphere is very common in official circles.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.