媚 (mèi) - to flatter, fawn upon & charming, enchanting

媚Tone 4

mèi ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

伦妙

媚 · mèi

to flatter, fawn upon;

charming, enchanting;

to curry favor.

to flatter, fawn uponcharming, enchantingto curry favor.

Usage highlights

Flatter superiorsCharming smileFlattery and fawningEnchanting and gracefulSeductive eyesFlatter foreigners

Synonyms

  • 谄— to flatter, toady
  • 阿谀— to flatter, fawn upon

Antonyms

  • 傲— proud, haughty (opposite of fawning)
  • 刚直— upright, unyielding

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She flattered her boss to get a promotion (媚上).
  • The dancer had a charming smile (媚笑).
  • He is good at flattering and pleasing others (谄媚).
  • The scenery is enchanting and beautiful (妩媚的风景).

Collocations

  • Flatter superiors(媚上)
  • Charming smile(媚笑)
  • Flattery and fawning(谄媚)
  • Enchanting and graceful(妩媚)
  • Seductive eyes(媚眼)
  • Flatter foreigners(媚外)

Idioms

  • Fawning upon the rich and powerful(媚富贱贫)
  • Flattering the powerful and bullying the weak(媚强凌弱)
  • Charming and coquettish(千娇百媚)
  • Fawning on foreign things(崇洋媚外)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically carries a negative connotation of insincere flattery for personal gain.
  • In aesthetics, can describe a positive, captivating beauty, especially feminine charm.
  • The concept of 'flattering foreigners' (媚外) is a critique in modern Chinese discourse.

FAQ