Chinese idiom · 成语
耳濡目染
Meaning
Ears soaked, eyes stained; influenced by surroundings.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical commemorationHan Yu's memorial inscription Qinghe jungong Fang gong mujiming describes Fang Qi growing up within a family distinguished by public service. Through what he repeatedly sees and hears, he acquires habits, abilities, and standards without needing every lesson to be formally taught. The text uses 目擩耳染, a precursor with the components in a different order and a variant character.
The later expression 耳濡目染 evokes gradual absorption through one's surroundings. It does not mean that ears are literally soaked or eyes stained. Such influence can be beneficial or harmful, depending on the environment; the idiom itself does not promise moral improvement.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
她常陪爷爷修旧家具，耳濡目染，也学会了不少手艺。
By often helping her grandfather repair old furniture, she picked up quite a few skills.
Gradual learning or influence through repeated exposure, rather than a single formal lesson.