HSK · Level 44
120 words
Chinese word
威风
Pronunciation
Pinyinwēi fēng
Meaning
- nounimposing presence
Example
他的威风让人很敬畏。tā de wēi fēng ràng rén hěn jìng wèi
His imposing presence fills people with awe.
More examples
那只老虎摆出威风的姿态，其他动物纷纷退避。nà zhǐ láo hǔ bǎi chū wēi fēng de zī tài qí tā dòng wù fēn fēn tuì bì
That tiger puts on an imposing air, and all the other animals retreat.
Core concept
A commanding presence that makes others feel the weight of a person's power and dignity.
Common phrases
保持威风bǎo chí wēi fēng
maintain an imposing presence
摆出威风bǎi chū wēi fēng
put on an imposing air
Similar words
威严wēi yán: A serious, weighty authority felt in a formal public setting.
风度fēng dù: Calm, polished grace shown through a person's manner and actions.
气势qì shì: A strong force or presence that comes from a situation or attitude.
Definition in Chinese
表示有威严或气势的样子，指人表现出的权势、庄重或让人敬畏的风度与举止。biǎo shì yǒu wēi yán huò qì shì de yàng zi zhǐ rén biǎo xiàn chū de quán shì zhuāng zhòng huò ràng rén jìng wèi de fēng dù yǔ jú zhǐ
Word origin
威风 (wēifēng, "imposing presence") combines 威 (wēi, "might") with 风 (fēng, "bearing or manner"), so its parts point to a visible air of power.
Usage tips
- In everyday Chinese, the word can praise a dignified presence, but it can also suggest that someone is putting on an impressive display, depending on the surrounding words.
Other meanings
- authoritynoun
- gravitasnoun
Opposites
- 屈辱qū rǔhumiliationnoun
Related words
- 威风八面wēi fēng bā miànbe awe-inspiringidiom