How to say “suck-up” in Chinese
From sweet talker to bootlicker
The mildest way to say “suck-up” in Chinese is 嘴甜 (zuǐ tián), “sweet-talker (lit. sweet mouth)”. The strongest is 狗腿子 (gǒu tuǐ zi), “lackey (lit. dog's leg)”. Here are all 5, ranked mild to strong, with pinyin and when to use each one.
嘴甜
sweet-talker (lit. sweet mouth)
A compliment. Grandmas love it
Heard in real Chinese videos
嘴甜的大雄。
Sweet-talking Nobita.
裤头村大聪明 on YouTube, at 0:00
会说话
knows what to say
Smooth, maybe a little too smooth
Heard in real Chinese videos
大雄，你真会说话，
Nobita, you're so smooth, Auntie's so happy.
裤头村大聪明 on YouTube, at 0:07
拍马屁
to suck up (lit. pat the horse's butt)
The office classic
马屁精
suck-up (lit. horse-butt spirit)
Agrees with the boss before the boss finishes
狗腿子
lackey (lit. dog's leg)
Runs every errand, no questions asked
Quick answers
- How do you say “suck-up” in Chinese?
- The mildest way to say “suck-up” in Chinese is 嘴甜 (zuǐ tián), “sweet-talker (lit. sweet mouth)”. The strongest is 狗腿子 (gǒu tuǐ zi), “lackey (lit. dog's leg)”. Here are all 5, ranked mild to strong, with pinyin and when to use each one.
- What is the mildest way to say “suck-up” in Chinese?
- 嘴甜 (zuǐ tián): sweet-talker (lit. sweet mouth). A compliment. Grandmas love it.
- What is the strongest way to say “suck-up” in Chinese?
- 狗腿子 (gǒu tuǐ zi): lackey (lit. dog's leg). Runs every errand, no questions asked.
More ways to say it in Chinese
- How to say “coward”胆小
- How to say “dumbass”笨蛋
- How to say “get lost”走开
- How to say “liar”骗人
- How to say “loser”菜
- How to roast your best friend憨憨
All 47 phrases: feelings, everyday, love and dating, compliments, money, slang, insults, swear words.