翻云覆雨
翻云覆雨 (fān yún fù yǔ) literally means “翻turn clouds overturn rain” and expresses “unpredictable, dramatic changes”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: fan yun fu yu, fan yun fu yu,翻云覆雨 meaning, 翻云覆雨 in english
Unpredictable, dramatic changes
Pronunciation: fān yún fù yǔ
Literal meaning: 翻Turn clouds overturn rain
Origin & Usage
This meteorological metaphor describes the ability to turn over (翻) clouds (云) and overturn (覆) rain (雨), originating from Daoist rain-making rituals of the Warring States period. It first described shamans believed capable of manipulating weather through magical practices. During the Tang Dynasty, it evolved to describe powerful officials who could dramatically alter circumstances. The weather imagery was particularly meaningful in agricultural societies where rainfall determined prosperity. By the Qing Dynasty, it had acquired negative connotations, suggesting capricious or manipulative behavior. Modern usage typically describes unpredictable, dramatic reversals - particularly when powerful figures suddenly change positions or policies to serve their interests.
Examples
English: "The politician completely reversed his position after winning the election"
Chinese: 这位政治家在赢得选举后完全改变了立场
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Related Chinese Idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 翻云覆雨 mean in English?
翻云覆雨 (fān yún fù yǔ) literally translates to “翻Turn clouds overturn rain” and is used to express “Unpredictable, dramatic changes”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 翻云覆雨 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving unpredictable, dramatic changes.
What is the pinyin for 翻云覆雨?
The pinyin pronunciation for 翻云覆雨 is “fān yún fù yǔ”.