过奖

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guòjiǎng: 过奖 - To overpraise, You flatter me

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 过奖, guojiang, guòjiǎng, you flatter me in Chinese, how to respond to a compliment in Chinese, Chinese modesty, overpraise, Chinese culture, polite Chinese phrases, 谦虚, qiānxū, 哪里哪里, 不敢当
  • Summary: Learn how to use “过奖” (guòjiǎng), the essential Chinese phrase for humbly responding to a compliment. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage. Discover why simply saying “thank you” isn't always enough in Chinese culture and master the art of modesty (谦虚) with example sentences and comparisons to similar phrases like “哪里哪里” (nǎlǐ nǎlǐ). This is your guide to sounding polite, humble, and culturally aware in Mandarin Chinese.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): guòjiǎng
  • Part of Speech: Verb Phrase / Interjection
  • HSK Level: HSK 4/5
  • Concise Definition: To overpraise; used as a polite, humble response to a compliment, meaning “you flatter me” or “you're too kind.”
  • In a Nutshell: “过奖” (guòjiǎng) is the classic way to deflect a compliment in Chinese. It's not that you disagree with the praise, but you are expressing humility by suggesting the praise is excessive. It's a verbal bow that acknowledges the compliment while reinforcing social harmony and showing respect.

Character Breakdown

  • 过 (guò): This character's core meaning is “to pass,” “to cross,” or “to exceed.” In this context, it takes on the meaning of “excessively” or “too much.”
  • 奖 (jiǎng): This character means “to praise,” “to commend,” or “a reward/prize.”
  • When combined, 过奖 (guòjiǎng) literally translates to “exceeding praise” or “to praise too much.” This literal meaning perfectly captures its function as a humble deflection of a compliment.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • The Virtue of Modesty (谦虚 - qiānxū): At the heart of “过奖” is the foundational Chinese cultural value of 谦虚 (qiānxū), or modesty. In traditional and many modern contexts, openly accepting praise without deflection can be seen as arrogant or lacking in self-awareness. Responding with “过奖” demonstrates that you are humble, respectful, and aware of your place within the social structure. It's a way of maintaining group harmony by not elevating yourself above others.
  • Comparison to Western Culture: In most Western cultures, the standard and expected response to a compliment is a confident “Thank you.” This is seen as gracious and accepting. While “过奖” can be translated as “You flatter me,” the English phrase is often used in more limited, sometimes even flirtatious or archaic, contexts. In Chinese, “过奖” is a standard, all-purpose polite response. A direct “谢谢 (xièxie)” can sometimes feel blunt or even slightly conceited, as if you're saying, “Thanks, I know I'm great.” “过奖” softens the interaction, effectively saying, “Thank you for your kind words, though I feel I don't fully deserve such high praise.”

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • When to Use It: “过奖” is most appropriate when receiving a significant compliment about your skills, abilities, achievements, or character. It's a staple in professional settings, academic environments, and when interacting with elders or people you respect.
    • Responding to praise about your Chinese language skills.
    • After a successful presentation or project at work.
    • When someone compliments your artistic talent, cooking, etc.
    • When an elder praises your good character or your child's accomplishments.
  • Formality: “过奖” is considered polite and moderately formal. It's more formal than the casual “哪里哪里” (nǎlǐ nǎlǐ) but less intensely formal than “不敢当” (bù gǎndāng). It strikes a perfect balance for most everyday professional and respectful social interactions. While younger people might use more casual responses among close friends, “过奖” is universally understood and appreciated.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1: (Responding to praise about language skills)
    • A: 你的中文说得真地道！
    • B: 过奖了，我还在学习。
    • Pinyin: A: Nǐ de Zhōngwén shuō de zhēn dìdào! B: Guòjiǎng le, wǒ hái zài xuéxí.
    • English: A: Your Chinese is so fluent and authentic! B: You're too kind, I'm still learning.
    • Analysis: This is a classic scenario for any learner. Responding with “过奖了” (the “了” softens it further) is the perfect way to show humility while acknowledging the compliment.
  • Example 2: (In a business context)
    • A: 王经理，您这次的报告做得非常出色。
    • B: 您过奖了，这都是我们团队努力的结果。
    • Pinyin: A: Wáng jīnglǐ, nín zhè cì de bàogào zuò de fēicháng chūsè. B: Nín guòjiǎng le, zhè dōu shì wǒmen tuánduì nǔlì de jiéguǒ.
    • English: A: Manager Wang, your report this time was outstanding. B: You flatter me, this was the result of our whole team's effort.
    • Analysis: Here, “过奖” is used to deflect individual praise and share the credit with the team, a highly valued practice in a collectivist work culture.
  • Example 3: (Responding to praise about a skill)
    • A: 你做的红烧肉太好吃了！
    • B: 过奖过奖，喜欢就多吃点。
    • Pinyin: A: Nǐ zuò de hóngshāoròu tài hǎochī le! B: Guòjiǎng guòjiǎng, xǐhuān jiù duō chī diǎn.
    • English: A: The braised pork you made is delicious! B: You're too kind, please have some more if you like it.
    • Analysis: Repeating the phrase, “过奖过奖,” makes the response sound warm, a little more informal, and friendly. It quickly pivots from the compliment to encouraging the guest.
  • Example 4: (Formal praise from a senior)
    • A: 小李，你真是个有为青年。
    • B: 老师您过奖了。
    • Pinyin: A: Xiǎo Lǐ, nǐ zhēn shì ge yǒuwéi qīngnián. B: Lǎoshī nín guòjiǎng le.
    • English: A: Xiao Li, you are truly a promising young person. B: Teacher, you flatter me.
    • Analysis: When receiving praise from a person of higher status like a teacher or a boss, “您过奖了” (nín guòjiǎng le) is the perfect respectful and humble response.
  • Example 5: (Praise for one's child)
    • A: 你儿子真聪明，考试总是第一名。
    • B: 您过奖了，他就是运气好。
    • Pinyin: A: Nǐ érzi zhēn cōngmíng, kǎoshì zǒngshì dì-yī míng. B: Nín guòjiǎng le, tā jiùshì yùnqì hǎo.
    • English: A: Your son is so smart, he always gets first place on tests. B: You're too kind, he was just lucky.
    • Analysis: It's common for parents to deflect praise about their children to avoid seeming boastful. Attributing success to “luck” (运气) is a common humble-brag tactic.
  • Example 6: (Responding to a compliment on one's appearance)
    • A: 你今天看起来真精神！
    • B: 过奖了，谢谢！
    • Pinyin: A: Nǐ jīntiān kànqǐlái zhēn jīngshén! B: Guòjiǎng le, xièxie!
    • English: A: You look really sharp today! B: You're too kind, thank you!
    • Analysis: While “过奖” can be used for appearance, it's often combined with “谢谢” (xièxie) in this context. It's polite but not as deeply self-deprecating as when used for major achievements.
  • Example 7: (As a simple, one-word response)
    • A: Your calligraphy is beautiful!
    • B: 过奖。
    • Pinyin: A: Nǐ de shūfǎ hěn piàoliang! B: Guòjiǎng.
    • English: A: Your calligraphy is beautiful! B: You flatter me.
    • Analysis: As a standalone word, “过奖” is efficient and polite. It gets the point of humility across clearly and concisely.
  • Example 8: (In a professional performance review)
    • A: 我们对你上个季度的表现非常满意。
    • B: 谢谢老板，您过奖了。我还有很多需要改进的地方。
    • Pinyin: A: Wǒmen duì nǐ shàng ge jìdù de biǎoxiàn fēicháng mǎnyì. B: Xièxie lǎobǎn, nín guòjiǎng le. Wǒ hái yǒu hěnduō xūyào gǎijìn de dìfang.
    • English: A: We were very satisfied with your performance last quarter. B: Thank you, boss, you're too kind. I still have many areas I need to improve.
    • Analysis: This is a textbook example of a culturally intelligent response. It accepts the praise (“谢谢”), shows humility (“过奖了”), and demonstrates a desire for continuous improvement.
  • Example 9: (Praise for a creative work)
    • A: 这首诗写得真有感觉。
    • B: 过奖，我只是随便写写。
    • Pinyin: A: Zhè shǒu shī xiě de zhēn yǒu gǎnjué. B: Guòjiǎng, wǒ zhǐshì suíbiàn xiěxie.
    • English: A: This poem is written with such feeling. B: You're too kind, I was just writing for fun.
    • Analysis: Downplaying the effort (“随便写写” - suíbiàn xiěxie, “just casually writing”) is a common strategy paired with “过奖” to maximize the expression of modesty.
  • Example 10: (When receiving an award)
    • A: 恭喜你获得年度最佳员工奖！
    • B: 谢谢大家，真是过奖了。
    • Pinyin: A: Gōngxǐ nǐ huòdé niándù zuìjiā yuángōng jiǎng! B: Xièxie dàjiā, zhēnshi guòjiǎng le.
    • English: A: Congratulations on winning the employee of the year award! B: Thank you, everyone, you truly flatter me.
    • Analysis: Even in a moment of public recognition, “过奖” is an appropriate way to accept an honor while remaining humble and grounded.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • Common Mistake 1: Using only “谢谢 (xièxie)”.
    • While not strictly “wrong,” only saying “Thank you” to a significant compliment can feel abrupt or even arrogant in Chinese. It lacks the layer of politeness and humility that “过奖” provides.
    • Incorrect Usage: A: 你的中文进步太快了！ B: 谢谢。 (Feels a bit cold or overly confident).
    • Correct Usage: A: 你的中文进步太快了！ B: 哪里哪里，您过奖了。 (Much warmer and more culturally appropriate).
  • Common Mistake 2: Overusing it for trivial things.
    • “过奖” is for compliments on skill, achievement, or character. Using it for minor things is overkill and can sound strange or sarcastic.
    • Incorrect Usage: A: I like your pen. B: 你过奖了。 (You flatter me.) → This is very awkward.
    • Correct Usage: A: I like your pen. B: 谢谢。 (Thank you.) → A simple “thank you” is perfect here.
  • “False Friend” Nuance: “You flatter me” vs. “过奖”
    • While a decent translation, “You flatter me” in English can carry connotations of being old-fashioned, dramatic, or even flirtatious. “过奖,” in contrast, is a standard, sincere, and very common polite expression in Mandarin. It doesn't carry the same potential for flirtatious or sarcastic undertones. It is almost always a genuine expression of humility.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 哪里哪里 (nǎlǐ nǎlǐ) - A more informal and colloquial way to say “You flatter me.” Literally “Where? Where?”, it implies “Where is this skill you speak of? I don't see it.” It's very common and friendly.
  • 不敢当 (bù gǎndāng) - A very formal and self-deprecating response, meaning “I dare not accept such a compliment.” Use this when being praised by a very high-status individual or for a monumental achievement.
  • 谦虚 (qiānxū) - The noun/adjective for “modesty” or “humble.” This is the core cultural value that phrases like “过奖” express.
  • 夸奖 (kuājiǎng) - The verb “to praise” or “to compliment.” “过奖” is what you say when someone “夸奖”s you.
  • 谬赞 (miùzàn) - A highly literary and formal synonym for “过奖.” It means “mistaken praise” or “undeserved praise.” You will see this in writing but rarely hear it in casual conversation.
  • 还好 (hái hǎo) - “It's alright,” “It's okay.” A casual way to downplay your ability after a compliment.
  • 一般般 (yìbānbān) - “Just so-so,” “average.” A very colloquial and self-deprecating response often used among peers.