lời khen

An expression of praise, congratulation, or respect.

• pay someone a compliment
• […] I met him With customary compliment; when he, Wafting his eyes to the contrary and falling A lip of much contempt, speeds from me and So leaves me to consider what is breeding That changeth thus his manners.

lời xã giao

Complimentary language; courtesy, flattery.

ℹ Khác với 'lời khen ngợi' (praise), 'lời xã giao' thường mang hàm ý về sự khách sáo hoặc thiếu chân thật trong giao tiếp.

• He told the Captain, He was heartily sorry for his Misfortunes; tho’ in my Opinion that was nothing but a Compliment: For, as I found afterwards, he was more brutish, and dishonest, than most of the other Kings on the Island […]
• This accomplished man condescended to think of a young girl, and take the pains to talk to her, not with absurd compliment, but with an appeal to her understanding, and sometimes with instructive correction.

ca tụng, khen ngợi

To pay a compliment (to someone); to express a favourable opinion (of someone).

• […] She transferr'd the curs'd Advice, / That Monarchs ſhould their inward Soul diſguise, / Diſſemble, and command; be falſe, and wiſe; / By ignominous Arts for ſervile Ends / Should compliment their Foes, and ſhun their Friends.