sanjungan

Sanjungan is a noun in Indonesian and Malay that means praise, admiration, or flattery directed at another person. It describes expressions of praise, whether sincere or superficial, and it is commonly found in everyday speech, literature, and public discourse. The related verb is menyanjung, meaning to praise or flatter, while pujian refers to praise in general.

It can be used in various contexts. In personal interactions, sanjungan may aim to gain goodwill or strengthen social bonds. In politics or media, it can function as flattery toward leaders or public figures. In literature, it may appear as an encomium or tribute to a patron or ruler.

Sanjungan can be positive when it reflects genuine respect, but it may be viewed negatively if perceived as manipulation or insincerity. Common collocations include sanjungan tulus (genuine flattery) and sanjungan palsu (false flattery).

Some cultures emphasize modesty and discourage overt flattery, while others treat flattery as a normal rhetorical device in social and political life. Related terms include pujian and sanjungan palsu.