暴风骤雨

• Pinyin: bào fēng zhòu yǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 暴 = 日 + 共 + 水; 风 = wind; 骤 = 马 + 聚; 雨 = rain pictograph

Meaning

Violent storm; tempest. Figuratively refers to sudden, intense turmoil or upheaval.

Describes a sudden, violent storm with strong winds and heavy rain. Metaphorically used for any sudden, intense period of change, criticism, or turmoil. Often appears in political or social contexts to describe revolutionary or transformative periods.

Examples

1. 一场暴风骤雨过后，街上到处都是断枝落叶。 After a violent storm, broken branches and fallen leaves were everywhere on the street.
2. 那个年代经历了暴风骤雨般的社会变革。 That era experienced storm-like social transformation.
3. 他的发言在会上引发了暴风骤雨般的批评。 His remarks triggered a storm of criticism at the meeting.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, politics, literature

Tone: dramatic

Do Say

• 革命如同暴风骤雨席卷全国。(The revolution swept across the country like a violent storm.)
• 暴风骤雨之后总会有彩虹。(After a storm, there's always a rainbow.)

Don't Say

• 用'暴风骤雨'形容小雨 (Don't use 暴风骤雨 to describe light rain — it implies extreme intensity)

Origin & History

暴风 (violent wind) + 骤雨 (sudden rain). A chengyu describing severe weather and, by extension, intense upheaval.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal