Definitions
- Referring to a deep bow with one's forehead touching the ground, as a sign of respect or submission. - Describing an act of extreme subservience or obedience to someone in authority. - Talking about a gesture of apology or contrition, often used in a figurative sense.
- Describing praise or compliments given to someone in order to please or gain favor. - Referring to excessive or insincere praise that is intended to manipulate or deceive. - Talking about a way of making someone feel good about themselves or their accomplishments.
List of Similarities
- 1Both involve actions meant to please or gain favor from someone else.
- 2Both can be used to manipulate or deceive others.
- 3Both can be used in social or professional situations.
- 4Both can be seen as insincere or disingenuous.
What is the difference?
- 1Physicality: Kowtow involves a physical act of bowing, while flatter is purely verbal.
- 2Intention: Kowtow is a sign of submission or apology, while flatter is meant to gain favor or approval.
- 3Degree: Kowtow is a more extreme form of subservience than flatter.
- 4Formality: Kowtow is a highly formal and traditional act, while flatter can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
- 5Connotation: Kowtow has a negative connotation of weakness or servility, while flatter can have positive or negative connotations depending on the context.
Remember this!
Kowtow and flatter are both actions meant to please or gain favor from someone else, but they differ in their physicality, intention, degree, formality, and connotation. Kowtow is a highly formal act of extreme subservience or apology, while flatter is a verbal act of praise or compliments intended to gain favor or approval.
