谄

諂

chǎn

臽 + 讠

Definitions

chǎn to flatter; to cajole

Etymology phono-semantic

speech

Semantic: 讠 Phonetic: 臽

About

The character 谄 is a phono-semantic compound meaning to flatter or fawn. Its semantic component, the speech radical 讠 (言 in the traditional 諂), places it in the domain of verbal communication. The right side, 臽 (xiàn), serves as the phonetic element. The character specifically denotes insincere, ingratiating speech aimed at gaining favor, carrying a negative connotation of manipulative behavior.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他从不谄媚上司。

Tā cóng bù chǎnmèi shàngsī.

He never flatters his boss.

谄媚的行为让人讨厌。

Chǎnmèi de xíngwéi ràng rén tǎoyàn.

Flattering behavior is annoying.

他为了利益谄媚领导。

Tā wèile lìyì chǎnmèi lǐngdǎo.

He flatters the leader for benefits.

谄谀奉承的人没有真朋友。

Chǎnyú fèngchéng de rén méiyǒu zhēn péngyǒu.

People who flatter and toady have no real friends.

他的谄媚态度引起了同事的反感。

Tā de chǎnmèi tàidù yǐnqǐle tóngshì de fǎngǎn.

His flattering attitude aroused the colleagues' antipathy.

在职场中，谄媚往往不能换来尊重。

Zài zhíchǎng zhōng, chǎnmèi wǎngwǎng bùnéng huànlai zūnzhòng.

In the workplace, flattery often cannot earn respect.

她厌恶那种谄媚的嘴脸，坚持做自己。

Tā yànwù nà zhǒng chǎnmèi de zuǐliǎn, jiānchí zuò zìjǐ.

She detests that flattering face and insists on being herself.

尽管他知道谄媚可能带来短期好处，但他仍选择诚实。

Jǐnguǎn tā zhīdào chǎnmèi kěnéng dàilái duǎnqī hǎochu, dàn tā réng xuǎnzé chéngshí.

Although he knows that flattery may bring short-term benefits, he still chooses honesty.

Related Characters

Component: 臽

Component: 讠

谄