巴结 bājie to fawn on
to fawn on; to curry favor with; to make up to
How to remember 巴结: 巴 wait for + 结 tie up = to fawn on.
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How it is used
- To fawn on / curry favor with someone powerful - 他总爱巴结领导 (tā zǒng ài bājie lǐngdǎo) he's always sucking up to the boss.
- Derogatory, colloquial; describes ingratiating behavior toward superiors for personal gain.
- Near 讨好 (tǎohǎo, try to please), but 巴结 is more clearly negative and status-driven; stronger still is 拍马屁 (pāi mǎpì, blatantly flatter). Toneless jie.