bàoyǔ: 暴雨 - Downpour, Torrential Rain, Rainstorm

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Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 暴雨 (bàoyǔ), the Chinese word for a torrential downpour or rainstorm. This guide breaks down the characters 暴 (bào) and 雨 (yǔ), explains its critical role in Chinese weather forecasts and culture, and provides numerous example sentences. Understand the difference between a regular 大雨 (dà yǔ) (heavy rain) and a severe 暴雨 (bàoyǔ) to speak about weather like a native.

Pinyin (with tone marks): bàoyǔ

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 4

Concise Definition: A sudden, violent, and heavy fall of rain; a rainstorm or downpour.

In a Nutshell: 暴雨 (bàoyǔ) isn't just “heavy rain.” It describes rain that is exceptionally intense, sudden, and often overwhelming. Think of the kind of rain that causes flash floods, disrupts traffic, and forces you to stay indoors. It carries a sense of violence and severity that a simple term like “heavy rain” lacks.

暴 (bào): This character means “violent,” “sudden,” or “cruel.” It conveys a sense of abrupt and powerful force. Think of it as an “outburst.”

雨 (yǔ): This is a pictograph of rain. The top line represents a cloud, and the dots underneath are raindrops falling to the earth.

When combined, 暴雨 (bàoyǔ) literally translates to “violent rain” or “sudden rain,” a perfect and vivid description of a torrential downpour.

In China, 暴雨 (bàoyǔ) is a serious meteorological term with significant real-world implications. Due to its monsoon climate, many parts of China, especially in the south, experience an intense rainy season (known as a 梅雨 or méiyǔ, “plum rain”) in the late spring and summer. During this time, 暴雨 is a common occurrence.

Unlike the general term “downpour” in English, 暴雨 in China is part of an official, color-coded weather warning system (暴雨预警信号 - bàoyǔ yùjǐng xìnhào). These warnings—blue, yellow, orange, and red, in increasing order of severity—are issued by meteorological bureaus to alert the public to potential dangers like flooding (洪水 - hóngshuǐ), landslides, and traffic chaos. A “red alert” for 暴雨 can lead to school and business closures.

Therefore, hearing 暴雨 in a forecast is not just a description of the weather; it's a practical warning that directly impacts daily life and safety. This gives the term a weight and urgency that a casual English equivalent might not fully capture.

Common Mistake: Saying “很小的暴雨” (hěn xiǎo de bàoyǔ - a very small rainstorm). This is a contradiction. The character 暴 (bào) inherently means large, violent, and sudden. If the rain is small, you should use 小雨 (xiǎo yǔ) or 阵雨 (zhènyǔ). The correct way to grade 暴雨 is by adding prefixes like `大 (dà)` or `特大 (tèdà)` to make it even more severe (e.g., 大暴雨 - dàbàoyǔ).

大雨 (dà yǔ) - Heavy rain; the level of intensity just below 暴雨.

雷阵雨 (léizhènyǔ) - Thunderstorm; rain that is accompanied by thunder and lightning.

倾盆大雨 (qīng pén dà yǔ) - An idiom (chengyu) literally meaning “to pour out a basin of heavy rain.” A very descriptive synonym for 暴雨.

洪水 (hóngshuǐ) - Flood; a common and dangerous consequence of a 暴雨.

台风 (táifēng) - Typhoon; a tropical cyclone that almost always brings 暴雨 with it.

天气预报 (tiānqì yùbào) - Weather forecast; the context where you will most formally hear or read 暴雨.

预警 (yùjǐng) - Warning / Alert; often combined as in 暴雨预警 (rainstorm warning).

梅雨 (méiyǔ) - Plum rain; the rainy season in East Asia, characterized by frequent and prolonged periods of rain, including 暴雨.

阵雨 (zhènyǔ) - Shower; rain that is intermittent, starting and stopping over a period.

小雨 (xiǎo yǔ) - Light rain; the opposite of 暴雨 in terms of intensity.