諂

Flattery employed for social or political gain. It denotes the act of aligning one's speech with the desires of a superior to secure favor or survival, fundamentally reflecting a power imbalance.

Primarily used as a verb. In the compound 諂媚 (chǎn mèi), 諂 specifically refers to the verbal act of sycophancy, whereas 媚 refers to behavioral or physical demeanor.

Often positioned as the antithesis of 忠 (loyalty); where the loyal minister provides unpleasant truths, the flatterer provides pleasant falsehoods. The glyph is a primary characteristic associated with the 小人 (xiǎorén), signaling a moral judgment on the speaker's integrity. [/DISTINITIONS]

Simplified variant: 谄 (U+8C04). Fanqie reading: 丑琰.

The "dishonesty" implied by this glyph often lies in the intent and selective use of truth to manipulate the listener's ego, rather than in factual inaccuracy. Depending on the text's tone, consider three registers: descriptive (to flatter, compliment for gain), condemnatory (to fawn, play the toady), or political/strategic (to truckle, curry favor).