呼风唤雨

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: hū fēng huàn yǔ
• English Translation: Summoning wind and calling for rain (to wield immense power)
• Idiom Composition: 「呼」（To call or summon）＋「风」（Wind）＋「唤」（To call out or beckon）＋「雨」（Rain）
• Meaning: Originally referring to the supernatural power of deities or immortals to control the weather, this idiom is used metaphorically to describe individuals or groups who possess immense power and influence in a particular field, allowing them to control situations or people at will.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「呼风唤雨」 contains the following nuances:

• Demonstration of Dominance: The phrase emphasizes more than just high ability; it highlights a 'dominant power' that can move the environment and people according to one's will.
• Dual Nuance: When describing titans of industry or politics, the tone is neutral to positive. However, when describing underworld bosses or tyrannical behavior, it carries a negative nuance of 'abusing power' or 'acting with impunity.'

3. Usage

「呼风唤雨」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Describing Powerful Figures: Used to describe someone with such vast influence in a specific industry or region that no one dares to oppose them.
  • Example:「他在商界呼风唤雨，没有人敢轻易得罪他。」
    （He wields immense power in the business world, and no one dares to easily offend him.）
• Contrasting Past Glory: Often used to contrast a person's former peak of power with their current downfall.
  • Example:「曾经呼风唤雨的大人物，如今却落得如此凄凉的下场。」
    （The big shot who once pulled all the strings has now come to such a miserable end.）
• Metaphorical Control of Nature: Used in contexts like scientific advancement to describe humanity's growing ability to control the natural environment.
  • Example:「现代科技让我们在某种程度上拥有了呼风唤雨的能力。」
    （Modern technology has, to some extent, given us the ability to command the elements.）

Additional Examples:

1. 想当年他在政坛呼风唤雨，如今已是过眼云烟。
   （Thinking back to when he held absolute sway in politics, it all seems like a fleeting cloud now.）
2. 这群黑恶势力在当地呼风唤雨，百姓深受其害。
   （This criminal group does as they please in the local area, and the people have suffered greatly because of them.）
3. 并不是所有人都能在股市里呼风唤雨，大多数人只是随波逐流。
   （Not everyone can call the shots in the stock market; most people just go with the flow.）
4. 他以为有了钱就能呼风唤雨，结果却四处碰壁。
   （He thought that having money would allow him to command the world, but he ended up hitting walls everywhere.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Origin: This idiom stems from classical literature like the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义), where Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) summoned the southeast wind, and Journey to the West (西游记), where demons and immortals controlled the weather through Taoist magic.
• Modern Context: In modern Chinese, while it can be a compliment for charismatic leadership, it is increasingly used in critical contexts to describe someone as 'dictatorial' or 'arrogant' due to their vast influence.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 叱咤风云 (chì zhà fēng yún): To shake the world with one's power; to be extremely influential and powerful.
  • 兴风作浪 (xīng fēng zuò làng): To incite trouble or stir up waves; strictly used in a negative sense for causing chaos.
  • 势不可当 (shì bù kě dāng): Irresistible; unstoppable.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 无能为力 (wú néng wéi lì): Powerless; unable to do anything to help a situation.link
  • 人微言轻 (rén wēi yán qīng): Low status and little influence; one's words carry no weight.
  • 一筹莫展 (yī chóu mò zhǎn): Unable to find a solution or plan.link

6. Summary

呼风唤雨 (hū fēng huàn yǔ) describes someone who can 'summon the wind and call for rain,' symbolizing absolute dominance or influence. While it can praise a charismatic leader's ability to shape an industry, it is often used to describe someone who uses their power to act willfully or manipulate others.