ěr耳earrú濡moistenmù目eyerǎn染dye
To be influenced by what one frequently hears and sees; to be influenced unconsciously.
Literal meaning
ear (耳) — moisten (濡) — eye (目) — dye (染)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing the subtle but pervasive influence of one's environment.
Examples
Zài在zhè这yàng样de的jiā家tíng庭huán环jìng境zhōng中，hái孩zi子ěr耳rú濡mù目rǎn染de地xué学huì会le了zūn尊zhòng重tā他rén人。
In such a family environment, the child unconsciously learned to respect others.
Cháng长qí期zài在yì艺shù术fēn氛wéi围zhōng中shēng生huó活，tā他ěr耳rú濡mù目rǎn染de地duì对yì艺shù术chǎn产shēng生le了nóng浓hòu厚de的xìng兴qù趣。
Living in an artistic atmosphere for a long time, he unconsciously developed a strong interest in art.
Usage & nuances
Implies a gradual and subtle influence.
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