Chinese word

陶冶

Pronunciation

Pinyintáo yě

Meaning

  • verbcultivate

Example

父母的言行能陶冶孩子的性格。fù mǔ de yán xíng néng táo yě hái zi de xìng gé

Parents' words and actions can cultivate their children's character.

Illustration for 陶冶 (cultivate)

More examples

文学作品可以陶冶人的情操。wén xué zuò pǐn ké yǐ táo yě rén de qíng cāo

Literary works can cultivate people's sensibilities.

Core concept

A person's inner qualities take shape slowly under the quiet influence of people, places, and repeated experience.

Common phrases

  • 陶冶情操táo yě qíng cāo

    cultivate one's sensibilities

  • 陶冶性格táo yě xìng gé

    cultivate one's character

  • 陶冶品格táo yě pǐn gé

    cultivate one's moral character

Similar words

熏陶xūn táo: Quietly nurture character or taste through the lasting influence of people, habits, or surroundings.

Definition in Chinese

长期通过榜样、环境或教育作用，潜移默化地培养人的品格、情操或思想倾向。cháng qī tōng guò bǎng yàng huán jìng huò jiào yù zuò yòng qián yí mò huà dì péi yǎng rén de pǐn gé qíng cāo huò sī xiǎng qīng xiàng

Word origin

The compound joins 陶 (táo, "mold clay") and 冶 (yě, "refine metal"), using two crafts as a metaphor for gradually shaping a person's character.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear cultivate as an active, planned process, but this Chinese verb also covers gradual formation through a model, habit, or setting.

Other meanings

  • educateverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word