Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) from a saying by Ouyang Xiu: 'near ink, one turns black.' It means that one's character and behavior are influenced by one's environment and the company one keeps — the Chinese equivalent of 'you are the company you keep.' It is often used as a warning or observation about the power of negative influences. The full saying is 近朱者赤，近墨者黑 ('near vermilion, one turns red; near ink, one turns black').
idiom
one takes on the color of one's companyenvironment shapes characteryou are the company you keep
Examples
- ，近墨者黑。Tā jiāo le yìxiē huài péngyou, zhēn shì jìn mò zhě hēi.He made some bad friends — truly, near ink, one turns black.
- “近墨者黑”，。Gǔrén shuō “jìn mò zhě hēi”, suǒyǐ xuǎnzé péngyou yào jǐnshèn.The ancients said, 'Near ink, one turns black,' so you must be careful in choosing friends.
- ，近墨者黑。Zhège háizi běnlái hěn yōuxiù, dàn hòulái yīnwèi huánjìng bù hǎo ér jìn mò zhě hēi le.This child was originally excellent, but later turned black because of a bad environment.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.