呼风唤雨
hū fēng huàn yǔ
to summon wind and rain; to wield great power
Character by character
呼hū
call
call
风fēng
wind
wind
唤huàn
summon
summon
雨yǔ
rain
rain
Example
他在这座城市呼风唤雨几十年，晚年却过得很安静。
For decades he could make things happen in this city at will, yet in old age he lives very quietly.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
First of gods and magicians, like the Dragon King who sends the rain. Now of people with great influence in a field: 在…界呼风唤雨. Admiring or critical depending on context; it can suggest power used to manipulate.
Learn this in Lesson 45 · HSK 5–6: 灶王爷与财神 (The household gods)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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