Translation guide
A person who always agrees with superiors or authority figures, often to gain favor.
Describing someone who habitually agrees with a boss or leader without independent thought.
Direct loanword from English, widely understood in Japanese business contexts. Refers to a person who always says 'yes' to superiors.
彼は上司のイエスマンだ。
He is a yes-man to his boss.
Literally 'sesame grinding', meaning a sycophant or bootlicker. More colloquial and slightly derogatory.
あいつはただのごますりだ。
That guy is just a yes-man.
Historical term for a professional entertainer who flatters guests; now used metaphorically for a flatterer or yes-man. Somewhat dated.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'a person who just says yes'. Can be used when the loanword might not be understood.
彼は会議でイエスと言うだけの人だ。
He's just a yes-man in meetings.
イエスマン is a neutral loanword focusing on agreement. ごますり implies insincere flattery and is more negative. Use イエスマン for a straightforward description, and ごますり when criticizing someone's sycophantic behavior.
彼はイエスマンだが、ごますりではない。
He's a yes-man, but not a bootlicker.
彼は社長の太鼓持ちだ。
He is the president's yes-man.