ยกยอ
flatter
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 flatter、talk someone up、overpraise、praise insincerely
This means to flatter someone by talking them up, often beyond what is reasonable. It usually carries a sense of exaggeration, insincerity, or trying to win favor.
flatter、talk someone up、overpraise、praise insincerely
To praise someone in an exaggerated or self-serving way, often to please them or gain their favor.
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เขาชอบยกยอเจ้านาย khǎw chɔ̂ɔp yókyɔɔ câw naay He likes flattering his boss. เขาชอบยกยอเจ้านาย details
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อย่ามายกยอฉันเลย yàa maa yókyɔɔ chǎn ləəy Don’t flatter me. อย่ามายกยอฉันเลย details
Learning notes
Explanation
ยกยอ is built around the image of raising someone up through praise. In practice, it is usually not neutral praise; it often implies exaggerated, insincere, or self-interested praise. It can be used in everyday conversation, but it tends to sound mildly negative or critical.
Usage
It is common in contexts where someone flatters a boss, a powerful person, a celebrity, or anyone they want to please. It can also be used casually when brushing off a compliment, as in อย่ามายกยอฉันเลย, “Don’t flatter me.”
Caution
Do not use ยกยอ as a neutral replacement for “praise.” It can imply insincerity, exaggeration, or ulterior motives. For neutral praise, use ชม; for more formal praise, ชมเชย; for honoring someone’s achievements, ยกย่อง is usually better.
Differences from similar words
1 flatter synonyms
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ชม is a neutral word for praising someone. ยกยอ sounds more exaggerated and often suggests flattery or trying to gain favor.
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ประจบ means to curry favor or act obsequiously in a broader sense. ยกยอ focuses specifically on flattering someone with words.
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ยกย่อง means to honor or highly recognize someone’s merit, often in a respectful or formal way. ยกยอ is more personal and often has a negative flavor of flattery.