暴风骤雨
*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.
1. Basic Information
- Pinyin: bào fēng zhòu yǔ
- English Translation: Violent storm (a sudden and forceful movement or attack)
- Idiom Composition: 「暴」(Violent, fierce, or sudden)
+ 「风」(Wind) + 「骤」(Sudden, rapid, or abrupt) + 「雨」(Rain) - Meaning: Literally refers to a violent wind and sudden, heavy rain. Figuratively, it describes a situation, movement, or emotional outburst that is extremely fierce, rapid, and overwhelming.
2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances
「暴风骤雨」 contains the following nuances:
- Intensity as a Natural Phenomenon: Literally refers to a storm with destructive power. The combination of 暴 (bào) and 骤 (zhòu) emphasizes both the suddenness and the extreme strength of the weather.
- Overwhelming Momentum: Metaphorically describes social movements, revolutions, or personal emotions that explode with uncontrollable intensity and rapid development.
- Trials and Hostility: Often used to represent the 'storms' of life—harsh challenges or relentless, merciless criticism from others.
3. Usage
「暴风骤雨」 is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Trials and Hardships: Used to describe unavoidable and massive obstacles or suffering encountered in life or business.
- Example:「这家企业经历了一场暴风骤雨般的危机,最终顽强地生存了下来。」
(This company went through a storm-like crisis but ultimately survived with tenacity.)
- Example:「这家企业经历了一场暴风骤雨般的危机,最终顽强地生存了下来。」
- Intense Criticism or Attacks: Describes a barrage of words or accusations directed at someone with great intensity.
- Example:「面对网络上暴风骤雨般的指责,他选择了保持沉默。」
(Facing a violent storm of online accusations, he chose to remain silent.)
- Example:「面对网络上暴风骤雨般的指责,他选择了保持沉默。」
- Literal Weather: Used to describe actual weather conditions that are wild and destructive.
- Example:「昨夜的暴风骤雨摧毁了许多房屋。」
(The violent storm last night destroyed many houses.)
- Example:「昨夜的暴风骤雨摧毁了许多房屋。」
Additional Examples:
- 革命的浪潮如暴风骤雨般席卷了整个国家。
(The wave of revolution swept across the entire country like a violent storm.) - 只有经历过暴风骤雨的洗礼,人才能真正成长。
(Only by undergoing the baptism of severe trials can a person truly grow.) - 刚才还是晴空万里,转眼间就变成了暴风骤雨。
(It was clear and sunny just a moment ago, but in the blink of an eye, it turned into a violent storm.) - 他的脾气发作起来就像暴风骤雨,让人不敢靠近。
(When his temper flares up, it is as fierce as a storm, making no one dare to approach him.)
4. Cultural Background and Notes
- Origin and Philosophy: This idiom is conceptually linked to a passage in the Laozi (老子), which notes that 'a whirlwind does not last the whole morning, and a sudden rain (骤雨 - zhòu yǔ) does not last the whole day.' While the original text implies that extreme force is short-lived, the modern idiom is used primarily to emphasize the sheer intensity of the force itself.
- Register and Usage: This is a formal, literary expression. In casual conversation, one might simply say 'heavy rain' (大雨 - dà yǔ), but 暴风骤雨 (bào fēng zhòu yǔ) is preferred in literature, speeches, or when describing dramatic, life-changing events.
- Nuance: While similar to 狂风暴雨 (kuáng fēng bào yǔ), the inclusion of the character 骤 (zhòu), meaning 'sudden' or 'abrupt,' gives this idiom a stronger sense of rapid momentum and unexpected onset.
5. Similar and Opposite Idioms
- Similar Idioms:
- 狂风暴雨 (kuáng fēng bào yǔ): Raging wind and torrential rain; used almost synonymously to describe extreme intensity.
- 急风暴雨 (jí fēng bào yǔ): Rapid wind and violent rain; emphasizes the speed and suddenness of a situation.
- 如火如荼 (rú huǒ rú tú): Developing vigorously and enthusiastically.link
- 势不可当 (shì bù kě dāng): Irresistible; unstoppable.link
- Opposite Idioms:
- 和风细雨 (hé fēng xì yǔ): Gentle breeze and mild rain; a metaphor for a gentle, patient, and kind approach.
- 风平浪静 (fēng píng làng jìng): Calm wind and quiet waves; refers to a state of peace and tranquility.
- 风和日丽 (fēng hé rì lì): The wind is gentle and the sun is beautiful, describing pleasant weather.link
- 细水长流 (xì shuǐ cháng liú): To save and use resources sparingly over a long period.link
6. Summary
The idiom 暴风骤雨 (bào fēng zhòu yǔ) is used to describe things that strike with overwhelming force and speed. While it can describe literal weather, it is more frequently used in formal contexts to depict social upheavals, harsh criticism, or the severe trials one faces in life.
