zin3 wan4戰雲战云

Jyutpingzin3 wan4

Yalejin wàhn

Definition

The tense, nervous atmosphere just before the outbreak of war.

writtenother

How it's used

Metaphorical usage is standard, describing an impending sense of conflict or crisis rather than actual weather. It often appears in news reporting or political commentary to signal that a situation has reached a critical, volatile point. The term carries a heavy, ominous weight that implies a storm of violence is about to break.

Examples

bin1邊ging2境guk6局sai3勢gan2緊zoeng1張，zin3戰wan4雲mat6密bou3佈。

The situation at the border is tense, with war clouds gathering.

le1呢coeng4場taam4談pun3判sat1失baai6敗，wui2會m4唔wui2會jan5引faat3發zin3戰wan4雲aa1呀？

If these negotiations fail, will it trigger the threat of war?

Common phrases

zin3戰wan4雲mat6密bou3佈

war clouds are gathering

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe literal weather or actual clouds. It is strictly reserved for political or social tension and would sound nonsensical if applied to a literal rainstorm.