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潜移默化

潛移默化
qiányímòhuà
idiom HSK 7 #41,321

Meanings

  1. 1 to influence subtly
  2. 2 a subtle and gradual influence

Characters

潜
qián
hidden; secret
移
yí
move; shift
默
mò
silent
化
huà
transform; change
Literally 'secretly shifting, silently transforming'

Examples

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.
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.

Tips

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.

Stroke Order

潜 qián
移 yí
默 mò
化 huà