Compliment
Do you make someone a compliment or do you give someone a compliment?
The inconsistencies in translation of words like french "faire" and german "machen and tun" compared to the english "make, do, take and give" bring confusion, even to my native tongue.
In the States usually you just "compliment" someone. In the UK we would "pay" a compliment or "give" a compliment to someone.
Some examples:
Appearance
- You look nice today.
- I love your new hairstyle.
- That color looks good on you. / You look good in blue.
- Your dining room looks beautiful.
Work
- You worked very hard on this.
- Nice work!
- Good job!
- This is excellent.
Talent
- You’re a great artist.
- You’re so good with kids.
- You have a lovely voice.
Food
- You make great cookies!
- You’re such a good chef.
- This pasta is delicious.
Indirect
- Your son is a great actor.
- Your mom has the nicest garden.
- I loved your sister’s book.
Complement:
Something that contributes extra features to something else in such a way as to improve or emphasize its quality.
The e in "complement" means extra.
I need to take complements to improve my health.
I am on a diet so I take vitamin complements too.
The colors in the pillows complemented the stripes in the sofa very well.
I would like to ask everyone to raise their glass in a toast to my sister and her new husband, they complement each other perfectly.
