Coquetting is such a harsh way to call it.. but still it's hilarious. (a woman who flirts lightheartedly with men to win their admiration and affection; flirt.)
Coquetting is such a harsh way to call it.. but still it's hilarious. (a woman who flirts lightheartedly with men to win their admiration and affection; flirt.)
The other options for translating the relevant verb are "flatter/butter up", but Asashio isn't flattering the Admiral, just eagerly attempting to impress him, so I didn't think that was a viable nuance for this situation.
The other options for translating the relevant verb are "flatter/butter up", but Asashio isn't flattering the Admiral, just eagerly attempting to impress him, so I didn't think that was a viable nuance for this situation.
How about not trying to replace the verb as-is, but with a phrase instead?
Being needy and desperate for attention seems to be more accurate and is probably a better way to get the point across.
How about not trying to replace the verb as-is, but with a phrase instead?
Being needy and desperate for attention seems to be more accurate and is probably a better way to get the point across.
The thought is appreciated, though I find that far too wordy for the purpose. And while the phrase may reflect her actual motivation, it isn't actually a translation of the term in question. Based on the verb used, Michishio is, in effect, accusing Asashio of trying to flirt (in a way) with the Admiral to get on his good side. "Flirt" by itself didn't seem to me to capture that nuance, though, thus my choice.
Would the verb "ingratiate" work? Consulting several online dictionaries, I find that they're in agreement on it meaning more or less "to bring oneself into favour with someone by flattering or trying to please him or her", which appears to be what Asashio is being accused of here. Hell, let's break down the Japanese verb itself.
媚び: noun meaning "obsequiousness", which is a fancy synonym for "fawning, subservient, servile", i.e. being "excessively eager and attentive to please or to obey". As the verb 媚びる, it means "to be obsequious".
売る: literally means "to sell; to sell out, betray; to agitate, incite". The first two senses seem fitting if we interpret them in Asashio's context as referring to her selling herself out in exchange for Kidmiral's favor/praise.
Seems to fit well with my suggestion of "ingratiate". Another similar verb is "insinuate", often in forms like "to insinuate oneself into X's favor."
And if you want to be a bit more literal about translating the Japanese verb's the "flatter" meaning, "brownnose" is short for "to flatter someone (especially a superior) in an obsequious manner", and is AFAIK universally negative in connotation, something that the previous suggestions may lack.
... Actually, now that I just looked into the definition of "coquet", it does have one possible meaning of "to attempt to attract the notice, admiration, or love of" separately from the "to act as a flirt" sense that is more commonly associated with the word.
