世辞
せじ · seji · JLPT N1 · noun
flattery
世 (world) + 辞 (words): sweet words said to smooth social life
Often compliments that may not be sincere. 世 means society and 辞 means words, so it is the polite talk people use to keep social life pleasant.
辞 — 舌 (tongue) + 辛 (bitter/blade)
Originally written 辭, depicting hands sorting tangled threads beside 辛 (a knife or judgment), meaning to settle disputes with words. The modern simplified form replaces the left side with 舌 (tongue), reinforcing the speech sense. Meanings extended from 'legal statement' to 'words, phrases, to take leave.'