‘奉承’ is a verb meaning to flatter someone insincerely, often to gain favor, approval, or personal advantage. The character 奉 (fèng) originally means 'to offer respectfully' or 'to serve', while 承 (chéng) means 'to accept', 'to receive', or 'to bear'. Together, they evoke the image of ‘offering deference’ — not out of genuine respect, but as a calculated act of submission or praise. This word carries a distinctly negative connotation in modern usage, implying hypocrisy, sycophancy, or lack of authenticity.

It’s commonly used in social, workplace, or familial contexts where people exaggerate praise to please authority figures — like a boss, teacher, or elder. Unlike neutral terms for praise (e.g., 表扬), 奉承 always suggests ulterior motives and is rarely used positively. It frequently appears in critiques of behavior, warnings against insincerity, or humorous observations about social maneuvering.