saan1 jyu5 juk6 loi4 fung1 mun5 lau4山雨欲來風滿樓山雨欲来风满楼

Jyutpingsaan1 jyu5 juk6 loi4 fung1 mun5 lau4

Yalesāan yúh yuhk lòih fūng múhn làuh

Definition

A metaphor for the tense atmosphere and ominous signs preceding a major, potentially disastrous event.

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How it's used

This idiom originates from a poem by the Tang dynasty poet Xu Hun and is used to describe a situation where the atmosphere is tense because a major event is imminent. It captures the feeling of anticipation or dread before a crisis or significant change occurs. While it is a literary phrase, it is frequently used in news reports and formal conversation to add a sense of gravity to unfolding events.

Examples

gung1公si1司coi4裁jyun4員siu1消sik1息cyun4傳ceot1出，zan1真hai6係saan1山jyu5雨欲juk6來loi4風fung1滿mun5樓lau4呀。

News of company layoffs is spreading; it really feels like the calm before the storm.

gin3見dou2到keoi5佢dei6哋gam3咁gan2緊zoeng1張，hai6係mai6咪saan1山jyu5雨欲juk6來loi4風fung1滿mun5樓lau4呢？

Seeing them so nervous, is it a sign that something big is about to happen?

Common phrases

hei3氣fan1氛saan1山jyu5雨欲juk6來loi4風fung1滿mun5樓

the atmosphere is tense and ominous

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of weather, but it is almost exclusively used metaphorically to describe social or political tension. Do not use it to describe actual rain or wind.