Vleiende

Vleiende is an Afrikaans adjective and present participle meaning flattering or sycophantic. It derives from the verb vlei, meaning to flatter or wheedle, and is used to describe language, behavior, or actions intended to win favor or approval. The term often carries a negative nuance when it implies insincerity or manipulation, but can also describe stylistic choices in rhetoric without judgment in some contexts.

In use, vleiende is applied to phrases such as vleiende taal (flattering language), vleiende woorde (flattering words), or vleiende toespraak (a flattering speech). It appears across formal and informal registers, including political, journalistic, and everyday speech, where it contrasts with direct, honest, or critical expression. The word is common in discussions of rhetoric, persuasion, and interpersonal dynamics.

Related terms include vleier (a flatterer) and vlei (to flatter). English equivalents include flattering, fawning, or sycophantic. The choice of vleiende often signals a judgment about motive or style, suggesting that praise or compliments are used to gain advantage rather than reflect genuine sentiment.

Examples:

- Die toespraak was vleiende en beïndruk die gehoor. (The speech was flattering and impressed the audience.)

- Hy gebruik vleiende woorde om voordeel te kry. (He uses flattering words to gain advantage.)