# 耳濡目染

ěr rú mù rǎn

Be gradually influenced by one's surroundings

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Ears and eyes become steeped and colored

**Register:** Descriptive · general

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Describe learning through repeated everyday exposure.

Influence need not be intentional or positive.

## Understanding the expression

The ears receive sounds and the eyes receive scenes, so repeated exposure can shape a person without formal lessons. The expression describes that gradual influence of a household, workplace, culture, or social circle. It often explains acquired habits and interests. The effect can be helpful or harmful depending on what surrounds the person. Unlike deliberate study, the learning may happen quietly through familiarity and repeated observation over time.

## Examples

她在乐团长大，耳濡目染爱上音乐。

### Traditional Chinese

她在樂團長大，耳濡目染愛上音樂。

tā zài yuè tuán zhǎng dà ， ěr rú mù rǎn ài shàng yīn yuè 。

Growing up around an orchestra, she came to love music.

孩子耳濡目染，学会了礼貌。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子耳濡目染，學會了禮貌。

hái zi ěr rú mù rǎn ， xué huì le lǐ mào 。

The child learned courtesy through daily exposure.

同事爱读书，我也耳濡目染。

### Traditional Chinese

同事愛讀書，我也耳濡目染。

tóng shì ài dú shū ， wǒ yě ěr rú mù rǎn 。

My coworkers' reading habits gradually influenced me.

在这样的环境里，他耳濡目染学会了抱怨。

### Traditional Chinese

在這樣的環境裡，他耳濡目染學會了抱怨。

zài zhè yàng de huán jìng lǐ ， tā ěr rú mù rǎn xué huì le bào yuàn 。

That environment gradually taught him to complain.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%80%B3%E6%BF%A1%E7%9B%AE%E6%9F%93)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=116&webMd=1&la=0)

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