潜移默化

qián yí mò huà

  • Meaning

    Literal

    -

    Usage

    To imperceptibly influence a person's thoughts, behavior, or habits

  • Connotation

    Neutral

  • Usage Examples

    环境会给我们的行为带来潜移默化的影响 | Huánjìng huì gěi wǒmen de xíngwéi dài lái qiányímòhuà de yǐngxiǎng
    The environment has an imperceptible influence on our behavior
    [Source]

    广告会对我们的消费观念产生一种潜移默化的影响 | Guǎnggào huì duì wǒmen de xiāofèi guānniàn chǎnshēng yī zhǒng qiányímòhuà de yǐngxiǎng
    Advertisements will produce an imperceptible influence on our consumer [expectations]
    [Source]

  • Equivalents

    English

    None

    Chinese

    None

  • Entry Notes

    This is an HSK chengyu

  • Origin

    《颜氏家训》(Yán Shì Jiā Xùn), a work by Northern Qí dynasty (北齐, 550 - 557) author 颜之推

  • Story

    This chengyu is from a line in the work listed in the "Origin" section above

  • Citations and Helpful Resources

    • 汉语成语小词典 (hànyǔ chéngyǔ xiǎo cídiǎn)
    • 现代汉语规范词典 (xiàndài hànyǔ guīfàn cídiǎn)
    • 多功能成语词典 (duō gōngnéng chéngyǔ cídiǎn)
    • 汉语大词典 (hànyǔ dà cídiǎn)
    • ABC Chinese-English Comprehensive Dictionary
    • Pleco Basic Chinese-English Dictionary
    • 百度百科[x]