Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== léizhènyǔ: 雷阵雨 - Thunderstorm, Thundershower ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** leizhenyu, 雷阵雨, thunderstorm in Chinese, Chinese weather vocabulary, thundershower, what is a thunderstorm, summer rain in China, léi zhèn yǔ, Chinese meteorology, rain with thunder. * **Summary:** 雷阵雨 (léizhènyǔ) is a common and specific Chinese term for a "thunderstorm" or "thundershower," particularly the kind that occurs suddenly on hot summer afternoons. It describes a short but intense burst of rain accompanied by thunder (雷) and lightning. For anyone learning about Chinese weather vocabulary, understanding 雷阵雨 is key to discussing the dramatic, heat-relieving storms that punctuate the summer season across much of China. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** léizhènyǔ * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** A rain shower accompanied by thunder and lightning. * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine a sweltering, humid summer day. Suddenly, the sky darkens, a strong wind picks up, and you hear a distant rumble. Within minutes, a heavy downpour begins, accompanied by loud claps of thunder and flashes of lightning. This entire event, which might be over in an hour, is a perfect example of a 雷阵雨. It's a specific weather phenomenon characterized by its suddenness, intensity, and association with summer heat. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **雷 (léi):** Thunder. This character is composed of `雨` (yǔ - rain) on top and `田` (tián - field) on the bottom. It paints a picture of the sound of thunder rolling across the fields during a storm. * **阵 (zhèn):** A burst, a wave, or a short period of time. In a military context, it means "battle formation." Here, it describes the rain as not being continuous, but rather coming in a short, intense "wave" or "spell." This is the key character that distinguishes it from a regular, long-lasting storm. * **雨 (yǔ):** Rain. The character is a pictograph of raindrops falling from a cloud (represented by the top line). When combined, 雷 (thunder) + 阵 (burst of) + 雨 (rain) literally means "a burst of thunder-rain," perfectly capturing the idea of a sudden, short-lived thundershower. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== While a weather term might seem purely scientific, 雷阵雨 holds a distinct place in the rhythm of daily life in China, especially during the humid "sauna-like" summers (桑拿天 - sāngnátiān). * **A Welcome Relief:** Far from being just an inconvenience, a 雷阵雨 is often eagerly anticipated. It "breaks" the oppressive heat and humidity (闷热 - mēnrè) that can build up for days, leaving the air feeling fresh and clean afterward. The event is a natural air conditioner, and people often feel a sense of collective relief once it passes. * **Symbol of Sudden Change:** In literature and poetry, a 雷阵雨 can be a powerful metaphor for a sudden, dramatic turn of events. It can symbolize a burst of intense emotion, a heated argument that clears the air, or an abrupt change in fortune. Its quick arrival and departure mirror life's fleeting but intense moments. * **Comparison to Western "Thunderstorm":** In English, "thunderstorm" is a broad term. A 雷阵雨 is more specific. It's not the day-long, grey, rumbling storm you might find in other climates. It is specifically a convectional storm, born from the heat of the ground, that erupts and dies down relatively quickly. The Chinese term captures this "burst-like" nature with the character `阵 (zhèn)`, a nuance often lost in a direct translation. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== 雷阵雨 is a standard, everyday term used across all levels of society. * **In Weather Forecasts:** This is its most common and formal usage. Weather apps and TV news will frequently say "下午有雷阵雨" (xiàwǔ yǒu léizhènyǔ) - "There will be thunderstorms this afternoon." * **In Daily Conversation:** People use it to make, cancel, or change plans. You might hear someone say, "我们等雷阵雨停了再走吧" (Wǒmen děng léizhènyǔ tíng le zài zǒu ba) - "Let's wait for the thunderstorm to stop before we leave." * **Describing an Experience:** It's used to talk about the weather you just experienced. "刚才的雷阵雨真大啊！" (Gāngcái de léizhènyǔ zhēn dà a!) - "That thunderstorm just now was really heavy!" * **Connotation:** The term is neutral. Any positive or negative feeling comes from the speaker's context (e.g., positive if it breaks the heat, negative if it ruins your picnic). ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 天气预报说今天下午有**雷阵雨**，你出门记得带伞。 * Pinyin: Tiānqì yùbào shuō jīntiān xiàwǔ yǒu **léizhènyǔ**, nǐ chūmén jìde dài sǎn. * English: The weather forecast says there will be a thunderstorm this afternoon, remember to bring an umbrella when you go out. * Analysis: A very common and practical use of the term, directly from a weather report context. * **Example 2:** * 我们被一场突如其来的**雷阵雨**困在了咖啡馆里。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen bèi yī chǎng tūrúqílái de **léizhènyǔ** kùn zài le kāfēiguǎn lǐ. * English: We were trapped in the coffee shop by a sudden thunderstorm. * Analysis: The phrase `突如其来 (tūrúqílái)` meaning "sudden" or "out of nowhere" is often paired with `雷阵雨` to emphasize its abrupt nature. * **Example 3:** * 夏天的**雷阵雨**，来得快，去得也快。 * Pinyin: Xiàtiān de **léizhènyǔ**, lái de kuài, qù de yě kuài. * English: Summer thunderstorms come and go quickly. * Analysis: This sentence perfectly describes the core characteristic of a `雷阵雨` – its short duration. * **Example 4:** * 一声巨响，**雷阵雨**终于来了，闷热的空气一下子凉快了许多。 * Pinyin: Yī shēng jùxiǎng, **léizhènyǔ** zhōngyú lái le, mēnrè de kōngqì yīxiàzi liángkuai le xǔduō. * English: With a loud bang, the thunderstorm finally arrived, and the muggy air instantly cooled down a lot. * Analysis: This shows the cause-and-effect relationship: the storm arrives and brings relief from the heat (`闷热`). * **Example 5:** * 别怕，这只是**雷阵雨**，很快就会停的。 * Pinyin: Bié pà, zhè zhǐshì **léizhènyǔ**, hěn kuài jiù huì tíng de. * English: Don't be scared, it's just a thundershower, it will stop soon. * Analysis: A common way to reassure a child or someone who is afraid of thunder, highlighting the storm's temporary nature. * **Example 6:** * 我最喜欢**雷阵雨**过后的清新空气。 * Pinyin: Wǒ zuì xǐhuān **léizhènyǔ** guòhòu de qīngxīn kōngqì. * English: I love the fresh air after a thunderstorm. * Analysis: This example focuses on the positive aftermath of the storm, a very common sentiment. * **Example 7:** * 原本晴朗的天空突然乌云密布，看样子要下**雷阵雨**了。 * Pinyin: Yuánběn qínglǎng de tiānkōng tūrán wūyún mìbù, kàn yàngzi yào xià **léizhènyǔ** le. * English: The originally clear sky suddenly became covered with dark clouds; it looks like a thunderstorm is coming. * Analysis: This describes the classic signs of an impending `雷阵雨`. * **Example 8:** * 这场**雷阵雨**的雨量很大，路面上很快就积水了。 * Pinyin: Zhè chǎng **léizhènyǔ** de yǔliàng hěn dà, lùmiàn shàng hěn kuài jiù jīshuǐ le. * English: The rainfall from this thunderstorm was very heavy, and the roads quickly became flooded. * Analysis: This highlights the intensity (`雨量很大` - heavy rainfall) associated with the term. * **Example 9:** * 他们的争吵就像一场**雷阵雨**，虽然激烈，但很快就过去了。 * Pinyin: Tāmen de zhēngchǎo jiù xiàng yī chǎng **léizhènyǔ**, suīrán jīliè, dàn hěn kuài jiù guòqù le. * English: Their argument was like a thunderstorm; although it was intense, it was over quickly. * Analysis: A perfect example of the term used metaphorically to describe a short, intense conflict. * **Example 10:** * 开车时遇到**雷阵雨**，能见度会变得很差，要小心驾驶。 * Pinyin: Kāichē shí yùdào **léizhènyǔ**, néngjiàndù huì biànde hěn chà, yào xiǎoxīn jiàshǐ. * English: If you encounter a thunderstorm while driving, visibility can become very poor, so you must drive carefully. * Analysis: A practical warning related to the real-world effects of a `雷阵雨`. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **雷阵雨 (léizhènyǔ) vs. 暴雨 (bàoyǔ) vs. 阵雨 (zhènyǔ):** This is the most common point of confusion for learners. * `雷阵雨`: Has **thunder** and comes in a short, intense **burst**. It's a thundershower. * `暴雨 (bàoyǔ)`: "Rainstorm" or "downpour." This term focuses only on the **intensity and volume** of the rain. A `暴雨` may or may not have thunder. A `雷阵雨` is often a type of `暴雨` because of its intensity. * `阵雨 (zhènyǔ)`: "Shower." This is rain that comes in a **burst**, but has **no thunder**. It's the "thunderless" version of a `雷阵雨`. * **Common Mistake:** Using `雷阵雨` to describe a storm that lasts for many hours or an entire day. * **Incorrect:** `昨天下了一整天的雷阵雨。` (Zuótiān xiàle yī zhěng tiān de léizhènyǔ.) - "It thundershowered all day yesterday." * **Why it's wrong:** The character `阵 (zhèn)` implies a short duration. If a storm with thunder lasts all day, it's better to simply call it a `雷雨 (léiyǔ)` or say `昨天一天都在打雷下雨` (Zuótiān yītiān dōu zài dǎléi xià yǔ) - "It was thundering and raining all day yesterday." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[打雷]] (dǎ léi) - To thunder (verb). Describes the action/sound of thunder. `雷阵雨` always involves `打雷`. * [[闪电]] (shǎndiàn) - Lightning (noun). The visual component that accompanies `打雷`. * [[阵雨]] (zhènyǔ) - Shower (of rain). A rain shower without thunder. This helps you understand the meaning of `阵`. * [[暴雨]] (bàoyǔ) - Rainstorm, downpour. A related term that emphasizes the high volume of rain, not necessarily the thunder or duration. * [[闷热]] (mēnrè) - Muggy, humid, sultry. The specific type of oppressive heat that often precedes a `雷阵雨`. * [[天气预报]] (tiānqì yùbào) - Weather forecast. The most common formal context where you will hear the term `雷阵雨`. * [[倾盆大雨]] (qīng pén dà yǔ) - A chengyu (idiom) for "downpour" or "raining cats and dogs." It describes the intensity of the rain in a `雷阵雨`. * [[乌云]] (wūyún) - Dark clouds. A visual precursor to a `雷阵雨`.