潜移默化 (qián yí mò huà)

idiom (chengyu) HSK 6

Traditional 潛移默化

qián yí mò huà

imperceptible influence · to influence subtly · gradual transformation through unconscious influence

Meaning

This four-character idiom describes the process of being influenced or changed gradually and unconsciously, like water slowly shaping stone. It refers to subtle, long-term influences that shape people's thoughts, behaviors, or character without them noticing it happening.

Usage

Commonly used in educational, cultural, and developmental contexts to describe how environment, upbringing, or repeated exposure shapes a person over time. Often used with verbs like 受到 (shòudào, to receive) or 起到 (qǐdào, to play a role). The influence is typically positive or neutral, referring to natural cultural transmission or education rather than manipulation.

Examples

01
父母的言行举止对孩子起着潜移默化的作用。
Fùmǔ de yán xíng jǔ zhǐ duì háizi qǐzhe qián yí mò huà de zuòyòng.
Parents' words and actions have a subtle influence on their children.
02
长期生活在这种文化氛围中，他受到了潜移默化的影响。
Chángqī shēnghuó zài zhè zhǒng wénhuà fēnwéi zhōng, tā shòudào le qián yí mò huà de yǐng xiǎng.
Living in this cultural atmosphere for a long time, he has been imperceptibly influenced.

Characters

Common collocations

受到潜移默化的影响
shòudào qián yí mò huà de yǐng xiǎng
to be subtly influenced
潜移默化地改变
qián yí mò huà de gǎi biàn
to change imperceptibly
起到潜移默化的作用
qǐdào qián yí mò huà de zuò yòng
to have a subtle influence

Origin

This idiom comes from ancient Chinese philosophy and literature. 潜移 (hidden movement) and 默化 (silent transformation) together create the image of change happening beneath the surface, like water gradually wearing away rock or roots slowly spreading underground.