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讨好

tǎo hǎo
HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Uncommon

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Definitions

  1. 1. to get the desired outcome
  2. 2. to win favor by fawning on sb
  3. 3. to curry favor with
  4. 4. a fruitful outcome to reward one's labor

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item
得罪
dé zuì

to commit an offense

Opposite of currying favor; to offend.

Register variants

1 item
拍马屁
pāi mǎ pì

to flatter

Informal equivalent meaning to flatter or butter up.

Synonyms

2 items
奉承
fèng cheng

to fawn on

Same meaning of flattering to gain favor.
巴结
bā jie

to fawn on

Colloquial synonym for currying favor.

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Learners often misuse 讨好 as a general verb for 'please'; it specifically implies flattery or currying favor.

Formality

讨好 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is less colloquial than 拍马屁.

Example Sentences

1 shown
他这样做是为了 讨好 老板。
He did this to curry favor with the boss.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 讨好

吃力不讨好
chī lì bù tǎo hǎo

arduous and thankless task (idiom); strenuous and unrewarding

奉承讨好
fèng cheng tǎo hǎo

to curry favor

拼命讨好
pīn mìng tǎo hǎo

to throw oneself at sb or sth

讨好卖乖
tǎo hǎo mài guāi

to curry favor by showing obeisance (idiom)

费力不讨好
fèi lì bù tǎo hǎo

arduous and thankless task (idiom); strenuous and unrewarding

Child Words of 讨好

好
hǎo

good

好
hào

to be fond of; to have a tendency to; to be prone to

讨
tǎo

to invite