倾盆大雨
qīng pén dà yǔ
Heavy downpour · trad. 傾盆大雨
Describes extremely heavy, intense rainfall, often sudden and continuous. It paints a vivid picture of rain coming down in vast quantities.
What does 倾盆大雨 (qīng pén dà yǔ) mean?
倾盆大雨 (qīng pén dà yǔ) means "heavy downpour" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "rain pouring from a large basin."
Character by character
- 倾 qīng to pour, to lean
- 盆 pén basin, pot
- 大 dà big, great
- 雨 yǔ rain
When to use it
Used to emphasize the severity and volume of rain, conveying a sense of a deluge. It is a common, descriptive idiom for a strong storm or cloudburst.
Example
大家冒着倾盆大雨奋勇堵住决口。
Dàjiā mào zhe qīng pén dà yǔ fènyǒng dǔzhù juékǒu.
Everyone braved the torrential rain and bravely plugged the breach.
Pro tip: The imagery of a "basin being tipped over" vividly conveys the sheer volume and force of the rain, much more intensely than simply saying "heavy rain."
Related idioms
千方百计 · Many ways and means情不自禁 · Involuntary emotional reaction清清楚楚 · Extreme clarity and distinctness
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