潜移默化

潛移默化

qiányí-mòhuà

idiom HSK 7-9 #41,321

Meanings

Literally 'secretly shifting, silently transforming'

HSK 3

父母的行为会潜移默化地影响孩子。

Fùmǔ de xíngwéi huì qiányímòhuà de yǐngxiǎng háizi.

Parents' behavior subtly influences their children.

HSK 4

文化的力量在于潜移默化。

Wénhuà de lìliàng zàiyú qiányímòhuà.

The power of culture lies in its subtle influence.

usage

Often used with 地 as an adverbial modifier: 潜移默化地影响. Describes influence that happens so gradually you don't notice it.

潜 qián

移 yí

默 mò

化 huà