# 歌功颂德

gē gōng sòng dé

Lavishly praise someone’s achievements and virtue

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Sing of merit and praise virtue

**Traditional Chinese:** 歌功頌德

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Often criticize flattering public praise.

Usually skeptical rather than neutral appreciation.

## Understanding the expression

Singing achievements and virtues makes praise ceremonial and expansive. Modern usage often implies excessive flattery, particularly toward someone powerful. A speech may celebrate everything a leader does while ignoring failures. The phrase therefore differs from a sincere, specific thank you. Praise can be deserved when tied to real actions and balanced judgment. The criticism concerns its inflated or self serving character, rather than the idea that recognizing good work is inherently wrong.

## Examples

报告只顾歌功颂德，回避问题。

### Traditional Chinese

報告只顧歌功頌德，迴避問題。

bào gào zhǐ gù gē gōng sòng dé ， huí bì wèn tí 。

The report lavished praise while avoiding problems.

他不愿为老板歌功颂德。

### Traditional Chinese

他不願為老闆歌功頌德。

tā bú yuàn wèi lǎo bǎn gē gōng sòng dé 。

He did not want to flatter the boss with lavish praise.

那场晚会成了歌功颂德的表演。

### Traditional Chinese

那場晚會成了歌功頌德的表演。

nà chǎng wǎn huì chéng le gē gōng sòng dé de biǎo yǎn 。

The gala became a performance of excessive praise.

她客观记录成绩，没有歌功颂德。

### Traditional Chinese

她客觀記錄成績，沒有歌功頌德。

tā kè guān jì lù chéng jì ， méi yǒu gē gōng sòng dé 。

She recorded achievements objectively without flattering exaggeration.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%AD%8C%E5%8A%9F%E9%A0%8C%E5%BE%B7)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=917&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [各抒己见 gè shū jǐ jiàn Let everyone express their view ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ge-shu-ji-jian)

- [各自为政 gè zì wéi zhèng Operate independently without coordination ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ge-zi-wei-zheng)

- [孤芳自赏 gū fāng zì shǎng Admire one's own excellence in isolation ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/gu-fang-zi-shang)

- [沽名钓誉 gū míng diào yù Seek fame through calculated display ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/gu-ming-diao-yu)

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