Proverb / Kotowaza
豚もおだてりゃ木に登る
Skillful flattery can motivate anyone to accomplish things they normally cannot do.
even a pig will climb a tree if flattered
Quick Answer
Skillful flattery can motivate anyone to accomplish things they normally cannot do.
- Literal Image
- even a pig will climb a tree if flattered
- Closest Equivalent
- Flattery will get you everywhere
- How to Use It
- Used when someone does something they wouldn't normally do because they were praised or flattered into it.
Meaning
This proverb suggests that praise and flattery have the power to encourage people to perform beyond their normal capabilities. It uses the exaggerated image of a pig—an animal incapable of climbing—ascending a tree to illustrate how effective motivation can be. While it acknowledges the positive effect of encouragement, it carries a slightly ironic or cynical nuance about human nature's susceptibility to praise.
Literal Image
even a pig will climb a tree if flattered
Equivalent Proverbs
Flattery will get you everywhere
Focuses on the flatterer getting what they want, while the Japanese focuses on the performance of the subject.
How to Use It
Used when someone does something they wouldn't normally do because they were praised or flattered into it.
Tone
Informal and contains a touch of irony; it can be perceived as rude if used directly towards the person being discussed.
Examples
彼女を褒めて頼んだら引き受けてくれた。豚もおだてりゃ木に登るものだね。
She agreed to do it after I praised her. I guess even a pig will climb a tree if flattered.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses the colloquial contraction 'odaterya' (from odatereba). While the base words are simple, the grammar and metaphorical usage are less transparent for beginners.
豚
ぶた / buta
pig
おだてる
おだてる / odateru
to flatter or praise
木
き / ki
tree
登る
のぼる / noboru
to climb
Usage Profile
Usage note: This expression can be insulting because it implicitly compares the person to a pig; use it to describe a situation rather than to address someone directly.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to sincerely encourage someone, as the comparison to a pig and the implication of being easily manipulated can be offensive.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
Based on the exaggerated image that even a pig, which is physically unable to climb trees, might do so if flattered enough. It ironically describes how humans can exert more effort or skill than is normal for them when given appropriate praise.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.