媚(こ)びる

こびる
ichidan verb (intransitive)
to flatter; to fawn; to curry favor
1. to flatter; to fawn; to curry favor
To try to gain someone's favor through excessive praise, obsequious behavior, or attempting to please them.
権力者(けんりょくしゃ)に媚(こ)びる。
To curry favor with those in power.
彼女(かのじょ)は誰(だれ)にも媚(こ)びない性格(せいかく)だ。
She has a personality that doesn't fawn over anyone.
客(きゃく)に媚(こ)びを売(う)るような接客(せっきゃく)は嫌(きら)いだ。
I dislike customer service that tries too hard to please customers.

CONJUGATION:

  • 媚(こ)びる (dictionary form)
  • 媚(こ)びない (negative)
  • 媚(こ)びた (past)
  • 媚(こ)びて (te-form)

Verb type: 一段動詞(いちだんどうし) (ichidan verb)
Transitivity: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive) - takes に for the person being flattered

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • ～に媚(こ)びる: to fawn over, curry favor with
  • 媚(こ)びを売(う)る: to ingratiate oneself
  • 媚(こ)びへつらう: to fawn and flatter (compound verb)

CONNOTATION:
Usually negative, suggesting insincerity or excessive obsequiousness.

general
Added 2026.1.31 8:02 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
09000/09028_kobiru