# 循循善诱

xún xún shàn yòu

Guide someone patiently and skillfully

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Lead gently in an orderly manner

**Traditional Chinese:** 循循善誘

**Register:** Positive · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Praise teaching that helps learners reach understanding.

It implies guidance, not manipulation by concealed pressure.

## Understanding the expression

The repeated opening suggests a measured sequence rather than a sudden command. The expression praises someone who guides a learner with patience, appropriate questions, and manageable steps. The teacher responds to the learner's present understanding instead of simply announcing the answer. It suits academic instruction, mentoring, and practical training. The influence should support genuine comprehension; skillfully pushing someone into an unwanted choice would not carry the same favorable educational meaning.

## Examples

老师循循善诱，让孩子自己发现规律。

### Traditional Chinese

老師循循善誘，讓孩子自己發現規律。

lǎo shī xún xún shàn yòu ， ràng hái zi zì jǐ fā xiàn guī lǜ 。

The teacher patiently helped children discover the pattern.

她循循善诱地指导新员工。

### Traditional Chinese

她循循善誘地指導新員工。

tā xún xún shàn yòu dì zhǐ dǎo xīn yuán gōng 。

She patiently guided the new employee.

父亲循循善诱，没有急着责备。

### Traditional Chinese

父親循循善誘，沒有急著責備。

fù qīn xún xún shàn yòu ， méi yǒu jí zhe zé bèi 。

Father guided patiently instead of scolding.

教练循循善诱，帮助他重建信心。

### Traditional Chinese

教練循循善誘，幫助他重建信心。

jiào liàn xún xún shàn yòu ， bāng zhù tā chóng jiàn xìn xīn 。

The coach's patient guidance rebuilt his confidence.

## 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=%E5%BE%AA%E5%BE%AA%E5%96%84%E8%AA%98)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=529&webMd=1&la=0)

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