八方美人

はっぽうびじん
Frequency:
1

A people-pleaser; someone who is friendly to everyone and tries to please all sides (often used derogatorily).

NounYojijukugo

Examples

彼は八方美人で、上司にも部下にも同じように愛想を振りまく。

He is a people-pleaser; he spreads the same friendliness to bosses and subordinates alike.

八方美人すぎると信頼されにくくなることもある。

Being too much of a people-pleaser can sometimes make you less trusted.

会議で意見をはっきり言わない八方美人の態度にうんざりした。

I was fed up with the people-pleaser who wouldn't state their opinion clearly in the meeting.

2

Literally 'beautiful in all directions'—a poetic/archaic sense meaning a flawlessly beautiful woman (rare usage).

NounYojijukugo

Examples

古い恋愛小説では、八方美人のように描かれる女性が登場することがある。

In old romantic novels, women are sometimes depicted as 'happō bijin'—beautiful in every way.