諺語 · a single proverb
疾風暴雨
Simplified: 疾风暴雨
What does 疾風暴雨 (jí fēng bào yǔ) mean?
疾風暴雨 (jí fēng bào yǔ) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "fierce wind violent rain." In use it means: A sudden, violent storm; a rapid and forceful situation or action. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Water note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dragon.
Literally: "fierce wind violent rain."
The reading
The storm does not announce its arrival with a gentle curtsy; it arrives and the world reorganizes around its energy. Some situations require the same: the entry that does not build to itself but arrives already at full force, taking the field before the field has had time to prepare a response. Swift and complete is sometimes the only effective form.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Zhuangzi 莊子·天道 (Tiān Dào, The Way of Heaven)
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Courage & Decisive Action, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dragon, Year of the Ox, and Year of the Tiger.
Questions
Is 疾風暴雨 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 疾風暴雨 (jí fēng bào yǔ) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Zhuangzi 莊子·天道 (Tiān Dào, The Way of Heaven). It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 疾風暴雨?
In Mandarin it is jí fēng bào yǔ. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 疾風暴雨 aloud in Mandarin.