# 潜移默化

qián yí mò huà

Change gradually through subtle influence

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Shift unnoticed and transform silently

**Traditional Chinese:** 潛移默化

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Describe an influence that shapes attitudes or habits over time.

A gradual influence should not be assumed without observing the change.

## The image & its use

Habits can develop through repeated experiences that do not feel like formal lessons. A learner who often sees careful note-taking may slowly begin organizing their own notes in a similar way. This expression describes that quiet process of influence. It often fits education, surroundings, and regular contact with other people. The change becomes noticeable over time rather than at one dramatic moment. A useful account identifies the repeated experience and the observed change instead of attributing every new habit to an invisible influence.

## Examples

老师的认真态度潜移默化地影响了学生。

### Traditional Chinese

老師的認真態度潛移默化地影響了學生。

lǎo shī de rèn zhēn tài dù qián yí mò huà dì yǐng xiǎng le xué shēng 。

The teacher's careful attitude gradually influenced the students.

每天接触优美的文字，能潜移默化地改善表达。

### Traditional Chinese

每天接觸優美的文字，能潛移默化地改善表達。

měi tiān jiē chù yōu měi de wén zì ， néng qián yí mò huà dì gǎi shàn biǎo dá 。

Regular contact with good writing can gradually improve expression.

家里的阅读气氛对她有潜移默化的影响。

### Traditional Chinese

家裡的閱讀氣氛對她有潛移默化的影響。

jiā lǐ de yuè dú qì fēn duì tā yǒu qián yí mò huà de yǐng xiǎng 。

The home's reading atmosphere has subtly shaped her over time.

这种变化是潜移默化的，并非一次提醒就能完成。

### Traditional Chinese

這種變化是潛移默化的，並非一次提醒就能完成。

zhè zhǒng biàn huà shì qián yí mò huà de ， bìng fēi yí cì tí xǐng jiù néng wán chéng 。

The change happens gradually rather than through a single reminder.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1397&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%BD%9B%E7%A7%BB%E9%BB%98%E5%8C%96)

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