循循善诱

循循善誘
xúnxún-shànyòu
idiom #54,035

Meanings

  1. 1 to guide patiently and systematically
  2. 2 to teach with careful, step-by-step guidance
  3. 3 good at leading students along methodically

Examples

HSK 4
Tā yòng xúnxún-shànyòu de fāngshì jiāo háizi zuò shùxué tí.
She teaches her child to do math problems through patient, step-by-step guidance.
HSK 6
Hǎo de jiàoliàn búshì pīpíng, érshì xúnxún-shànyòu de yǐndǎo duìyuán.
A good coach doesn't just criticize; they guide team members patiently and methodically.
HSK 7-9
Wáng lǎoshī xúnxún-shànyòu, shēnshòu xuésheng àidài.
Teacher Wang guides patiently and step by step, and is deeply loved by his students.

Tips

history
From the Analects (论语): 夫子循循然善诱人, Yan Hui's praise of Confucius as a teacher who guided students 'in an orderly way, good at drawing them in.' The phrase has since been the gold standard description of a skilled teacher.
register
Flattering and formal. Pair with 诲人不倦 (never tiring of teaching) and 因材施教 (teach according to aptitude) when praising educators in speeches or articles.

Stroke Order

循 xún
善 shàn
诱 yòu