qián潜hiddenyí移movemò默silenthuà化change
to influence secretly; to be gradually affected
Literal meaning
hidden (潜) — move (移) — silent (默) — change (化)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing a subtle and gradual influence.
Examples
Fù父mǔ母de的yán言xíng行duì对hái孩zi子yǒu有qián潜yí移mò默huà化de的yǐng影xiǎng响。
Parents' words and deeds have a subtle influence on their children.
Zài在liáng良hǎo好de的huán环jìng境zhōng中，rén人huì会shòu受dào到qián潜yí移mò默huà化de的yǐng影xiǎng响。
In a good environment, people will be gradually affected.
Usage & nuances
Highlights the subtle and often unnoticed impact of surroundings or influences.
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