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お世辞 (おせじ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
flattery ; compliment
Polite noun for flattering or complimentary remarks, often insincere or socially expected. Commonly used in phrases like お世辞を言う (to pay a compliment/flatter) and お世辞にも～ない (by no stretch of the imagination).
Kanji 世 generation, world, society Similar words 褒ほ め 言こと 葉ば 褒め言葉 is a straightforward compliment or word of praise, without the nuance of insincerity or social obligation that お世辞 often carries.
おべっか おべっか is more colloquial and explicitly negative, meaning blatant flattery or apple-polishing, while お世辞 can be more neutral or socially expected.
Etymology Compound of honorific prefix お (o) and 世辞 (seji), where 世辞 originally meant 'words that suit the world' or 'socially pleasing words'. The exact derivation of 世辞 is uncertain, but it is conventionally associated with flattery and polite compliments.
。
It was a dish that, even with the best will in the world, couldn't be called delicious.
