Abstract: Compliment is a positive and frequently used form of speech interaction. English and Chinese compliments are greatly influenced by their cultures and they differ in topic, language form and response. From these three aspects, the author distinguishes the differences between English and Chinese compliments. By analyzing the culture differences, the article aims to provide a good understanding of how to perform and accept compliments appropriately in different cultural backgrounds.

Key words: compliment, topic, language form, response 

摘要：恭维语是一种运用频率较高的积极的言语交际行为，是交际的“润滑剂”。英汉恭维语受各自文化的影响在内容、形式和应答方面都有所不同。本文致力于在这三方面对英汉恭维语的区别进行研究,并通过分析其异同的内在文化因素，旨在寻找在不同文化背景下如何恰当地给予和接受恭维语的有效途径。

关键词：恭维语，话题，语言形式，应答