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潜移默化

*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.

1. Basic Information

  • Pinyin: qián yí mò huà
  • English Translation: To be imperceptibly influenced (subtle transformation)
  • Idiom Composition: 「潜」（Invisibly or beneath the surface; acting in a way that is not immediately seen.）＋「移」（To shift or change; referring to the gradual movement of one's mindset or habits.）＋「默」（Silently or wordlessly; indicating the change happens without explicit instruction.）＋「化」（To transform or be influenced; the resulting state of being changed by external factors.）
  • Meaning: The process where a person's thoughts, character, or habits are gradually and unconsciously changed by their environment or the people around them.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「潜移默化」 contains the following nuances:

  • Unconscious Process: As indicated by 潜 (qián) and 默 (mò), this idiom emphasizes that the change is not forced or consciously sought, but rather seeps into the person naturally.
  • Long-term and Incremental: This is not a sudden transformation; it represents a slow, steady shift in nature that occurs over a significant duration.
  • Power of Environment: The focus is on the 'transformative power' of one's surroundings, social circles, and cultural exposure rather than individual willpower.

3. Usage

「潜移默化」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

  • Education and Family Environment: Used to describe how a parent's behavior or a home atmosphere shapes a child's personality over time.
    • Example:「父母的言行会在潜移默化中影响孩子的性格。」
      （Parents' words and deeds will exert a subtle influence on their children's character.）
  • Culture and Art: Describes how exposure to literature, music, or art refines a person's values and temperament.
    • Example:「优秀的文学作品能起到潜移默化的作用，陶冶人的情操。」
      （Excellent literary works can imperceptibly influence people and enrich their temperament.）
  • Social and Workplace Atmosphere: Refers to how the prevailing attitude of a group or team gradually changes an individual's behavior.
    • Example:「在一个积极向上的团队里，新员工也会潜移默化地变得更加勤奋。」
      （In a positive team, new employees will also be naturally influenced to become more diligent.）

Additional Examples:

  1. 这种良好的家风潜移默化地塑造了他正直的品格。
    （This good family atmosphere subtly shaped his upright character.）
  2. 环境对人的改变往往是潜移默化的，很难立刻察觉。
    （The changes environment brings to people are often gradual and unconscious, making them hard to notice immediately.）
  3. 老师希望通过榜样的力量，潜移默化地引导学生。
    （The teacher hopes to imperceptibly guide the students through the power of setting an example.）
  4. 长期生活在国外，他的生活习惯也在潜移默化中发生了改变。
    （After living abroad for a long time, his lifestyle habits had also changed without him realizing it.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

  • This idiom originates from the 'Mù Xián' (慕贤) chapter of the *Yan's Family Instructions* (颜氏家训 - Yán Shì Jiā Xùn), written by Yan Zhitui (颜之推). It originally described how associating with virtuous friends leads to a natural improvement in one's own character.
  • It reflects a core Chinese educational philosophy that 'environment creates the person,' similar to the famous story of Mencius' Mother Moving Three Times (孟母三迁 - Mèng mǔ sān qiān) to find the best environment for her son's growth.
  • While usually used in a positive context—such as the refining power of art or a good upbringing—it can also describe the slow, negative influence of a bad environment, similar to the concept of 'becoming like those you associate with' (近墨者黑 - jìn mò zhě hēi).

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

6. Summary

潜移默化 (qián yí mò huà) describes the way environment and culture shape an individual's mind and behavior through a process of 'silent transformation.' Unlike direct instruction or forced change, this idiom emphasizes a natural, gradual, and often unconscious shift that occurs over a long period of time.

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