循循善诱 (xún xún shàn yòu) — to teach or guide patiently and systematically, step by step

Definition

Idiom praising a patient, step-by-step teaching style — gentle guidance that leads the learner along rather than lecturing. Often used to commend teachers, coaches, or parents for their method.

idiom
to teach or guide patiently and systematically, step by step

Examples

  • 循循善诱，。
    Zhè wèi lǎo shī xún xún shàn yòu, xué shēng men dōu hěn xǐ huan shàng tā de kè.
    This teacher guides step by step, and the students all love attending his class.
  • 循循善诱，。
    Jiào liàn xún xún shàn yòu dì xùn liàn xīn duì yuán, cóng bù jí zào.
    The coach trains the new players patiently and systematically, never getting impatient.
  • 循循善诱，。
    Fù qīn yòng xún xún shàn yòu de fāng shì jiào wǒ xué shū fǎ, ràng wǒ màn màn tǐ huì qí zhōng de lè qù.
    My father taught me calligraphy in a step-by-step way, letting me slowly appreciate the joy in it.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
彳彳chìmovement
Sound part声符shēngfú
盾
盾dùn循xún
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

循 has 彳 on the left, a part used for movement, and 盾 on the right, which gives the pronunciation.

Open 循 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
彳彳chìmovement
Sound part声符shēngfú
盾
盾dùn循xún
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

循 has 彳 on the left, a part used for movement, and 盾 on the right, which gives the pronunciation.

Open 循 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

An earlier form of 善 joined 羊, a sheep linked with goodness or beauty, and 誩, described as a wrangle; the reference says this meaning link is hard to understand.

Open 善 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 誘; 诱 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánword, language
Sound part声符shēngfú
秀
秀xiù誘yòu
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 誘 pairs 言 (word, language) with 秀, which supplies the sound.

Open 诱 →

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