Chinese word

风云

Pronunciation

Pinyinfēng yún

Meaning

  • nounsituation

Example

最近国际风云复杂多变。zuì jìn guó jì fēng yún fù zá duō biàn

Recently, the international situation has been complex and changeable.

Illustration for 风云 (situation)

More examples

中东地区的风云影响着全球经济。zhōng dōng dì qū de fēng yún yíng xiǎng zhe quán qiú jīng jì

The situation in the Middle East affects the global economy.

Core concept

The movement of events as a situation turns and develops in changing directions.

Common phrases

  • 风云变幻fēng yún biàn huàn

    ever-changing situation

  • 风云突变fēng yún tū biàn

    sudden change in the situation

  • 风云莫测fēng yún mò cè

    unpredictable situation

Similar words

形势xíng shì: The overall situation of a matter and the direction in which it is developing.
局势jú shì: The changing state of a political conflict, including the relations and power of those involved.
情况qíng kuàng: The state or circumstances of a person, event, or matter in common everyday use.
事态shì tài: The developing state of affairs when events reach an important or difficult stage.

Definition in Chinese

指事态的发展和变化，常用来比喻局势或形势的变动。zhǐ shì tài de fā zhǎn hé biàn huà cháng yòng lái bǐ yù jú shì huò xíng shì de biàn dòng

Word origin

风 (fēng, "wind") + 云 (yún, "cloud") describes changing weather in the sky, which becomes a vivid image for changing circumstances.

Usage tips

  • This word is common in serious news and public discussion, but it can sound grand when used for an ordinary situation in casual speech.

Opposites

Related words

  • 风云变幻fēng yún biàn huànever-changing situationidiom
  • 风云际会fēng yún jì huìmeeting of important peopleidiom

Word lists with this word