おだてる

• Reading: おだてる
• Romaji: odateru
• Pronunciation: /o.da.te.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To flatter; to butter up; to sweet-talk. To praise someone excessively to manipulate or please them.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb meaning to shower someone with excessive praise, often with an ulterior motive. The kanji form 煽てる exists but hiragana is standard. Related to the well-known proverb 豚もおだてりゃ木に登る (even a pig will climb a tree if flattered enough). Can be used both critically and humorously.

Examples

1. 子供をおだてて勉強させようとした。 She tried to get her child to study by flattering him.
2. おだてられると調子に乗ってしまう性格だ。 He's the type who gets carried away when flattered.
3. 部下をおだてるのがうまい上司だ。 He's a boss who is good at flattering his subordinates.

Usage Guide

Context: interpersonal dynamics, workplace, humour

Tone: playful

Origin & History

Related to 煽る (to fan, to stir up). The idea is of fanning someone's ego or excitement, inflating their sense of self-importance through flattery.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal