恭维 (gōng wéi) is a verb meaning to flatter or compliment someone, usually with the intention of gaining favor — and often carrying a subtle sense of insincerity or exaggeration. The character 恭 means 'respectful' or 'reverent', while 维 originally meant 'to maintain' or 'to uphold'; together, they suggest an outward display of respect that may not reflect genuine feeling. Unlike neutral words like 表扬 (to praise) or 赞扬 (to commend), 恭维 implies a degree of strategic or self-serving flattery.

This word is commonly used in social or professional contexts — for example, when someone praises a boss excessively, or when friends jokingly call out each other’s over-the-top compliments. It often appears in spoken language and informal writing, and carries a mildly critical or skeptical tone. While not inherently rude, using 恒维 to describe someone else’s speech can hint at doubt about their sincerity — so it’s rarely used as a self-description unless ironically.