暴风雨

• Pinyin: bào fēng yǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 暴 = 日 (sun) + 共 + 水, violent; 风 = wind; 雨 = rain

Meaning

Storm; tempest; violent rainstorm. Severe weather with strong winds and heavy rain.

Literally describes a storm with violent wind and rain, but also used metaphorically for turbulent situations, intense criticism, or major upheavals. Common in weather reports and literary contexts.

Examples

1. 天气预报说今晚会有暴风雨，出门要小心。 The weather forecast says there will be a storm tonight — be careful when going out.
2. 公司正在经历一场前所未有的暴风雨，能不能挺过去还是未知数。 The company is going through an unprecedented storm, and whether it can survive is still unknown.
3. 暴风雨过后，空气格外清新。 After the storm, the air was exceptionally fresh.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, metaphor

Tone: dramatic

Do Say

• 一场暴风雨即将来临。(A storm is coming.)
• 他们的婚姻经历了一场暴风雨，但最终挺了过来。(Their marriage went through a storm but ultimately survived.)

Don't Say

• 不要把小雨称为'暴风雨' (Don't call a light rain a 'violent storm' — 暴风雨 implies severe, dangerous weather)

Origin & History

Compound of 暴 (violent, sudden) + 风 (wind) + 雨 (rain), describing a violent storm.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal