风云

風雲

fēngyún

noun HSK 7-9 #10,389

Meanings

1 turbulent situation
2 winds of change
3 stormy events

Characters

Literally 'wind and clouds' — turbulent weather as a metaphor for dramatic events

Examples

国际局势风云变幻。

Guójì júshì fēngyúnbiànhuàn.

The international situation is changing rapidly.

他是商界的风云人物。

Tā shì shāngjiè de fēngyúnrénwù.

He is a prominent figure in the business world.

Tips

usage

风云人物 means a person who commands the situation or is at the center of events — always a prominent, influential figure. 风云变幻 describes a rapidly changing, unpredictable situation.

Stroke Order

风 fēng

云 yún