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潜移默化 (qián yí mò huà) — to exert a subtle, imperceptible influence (over time); (of influence) gradual and unnoticed

Definition

A four-character phrase meaning influence that is gradual and so subtle the person affected doesn't notice it. Often paired with 影响 or used as an attributive (潜移默化的) to describe a slow, unconscious effect over time.

phrase
to exert a subtleimperceptible influence (over time)(of influence) gradual and unnoticed

Examples

  • 潜移默化。
    Jiā tíng huán jìng huì qián yí mò huà dì yǐng xiǎng hái zi de xìng gé.
    The family environment will subtly influence a child's personality.
  • 潜移默化，。
    Zhè zhǒng wén huà chuán tǒng shì qián yí mò huà de, xū yào jǐ dài rén cái néng xíng chéng.
    This cultural tradition is formed through imperceptible influence; it takes several generations to develop.
  • 潜移默化。
    Guǎng gào duì xiāo fèi zhě de yǐng xiǎng wǎng wǎng shì qián yí mò huà de.
    The influence of advertising on consumers is often subtle and gradual.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

潜移hidden movement
潜qiánhidden移yímove
偏正Modifier + head
默化silent transformation
默mòsilent化huàtransform
偏正Modifier + head

潜移 and 默化 combine as hidden movement and silent transformation, giving gradual unnoticed influence.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 潛; 潜 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
朁
朁cǎn潛qián
Same sound today

The form 潛 has 水 as a meaning part and 朁 as a sound part; this note is about 潛, not the simplified 潜.

Open 潜 →

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
禾禾hé
Sound part声符shēngfú
多
多duō移
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

移 pairs 禾, a grain plant, with 多, which gives the sound.

Open 移 →

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
犬犬quǎndog
Sound part声符shēngfú
黑
黑hēi默mò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

默 pairs 黑 with 犬 (dog), and 黑 gives the sound.

Open 默 →

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

化 shows two person figures, one upright and one upside down, to give the idea of reversal or change.

Open 化 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6

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